TSG Hoffenheim vs Mainz 05

TSG Hoffenheim and Mainz 05 are set to square off at PreZero Arena in a lopsided Bundesliga showdown.

Despite coming into this round as top-six tenants in the Bundesliga, Hoffenheim’s form had dwindled before the international break as they only won once in their last four league outings (D1, L2), including a 3-2 loss to Bayer Leverkusen in their most recent home game. PreZero Arena has not been Hoffenheim’s safe haven as expected, with Pellegrino Matarazzo’s side suffering four defeats in five home league matches this season (W1), including three in a row in the build-up to this encounter, all of which saw them concede precisely three goals. Mainz’s upcoming visit doesn’t necessarily bode well for Hoffenheim’s bid to return to winning ways, considering ‘Die Kraichgauer’ have lost three of the last four top-flight H2Hs they’ve hosted (W1).

On the other hand, Mainz’s decision to part ways with long-serving manager Bo Svensson in the wake of a dreadful nine-game winless Bundesliga start (D3, L6) paid immediate dividends as they stunned RB Leipzig 2-0 in their first top-flight game under interim boss Jan Siewert. Many expected ‘Die Nullfünfer’ would build on that result when they encountered promoted Darmstadt on the road last time out, yet a goalless draw stretched their disastrous winless run in away Bundesliga action to ten games (D5, L5). If it’s any consolation, they at least kept a clean sheet after conceding 2+ goals on their eight previous league travels! Another resilient defensive showing would be more than welcome, especially if the visitors were to avenge a 4-1 defeat in this reverse fixture last term.