Prediction: Mainz vs RB Leipzig

Prediction: RB Leipzig win

Best Odds: 2/5

Bookmaker: bet365

It’s time to look ahead to the Sunday schedule as the German Bundesliga continues to roll on following an entertaining slate of games on Saturday afternoon. There’s still a whole lot to play for at either end of the table, and with the future of world football still being a source of great uncertainty, fans will take every game they can get right now. Today, we’ll be looking at a meeting between two clubs who are in very different situations heading into the final third of the campaign – Mainz and RB Leipzig.

Mainz

A gritty display against Cologne in their first game back following the break gave everyone an insight into the mentality of this Mainz team. They aren’t considered to be the favourites for the drop, but it’s also not fair to rule them out as a team that is going to be in the mix with a few games left to go. They have a tendency to collapse in on themselves every now and then, and that’s something they’ll have to watch out for, if only because of the impact it could have on their goal difference.

Team News

Zentner is out for the remainder of the season with a knee problem whereas Latza and Bell are both available for selection after back and ankle injuries respectively.

RB Leipzig

This RB Leipzig team often turns heads on the pitch and creates a large debate about what it means to bankroll a team up the divisions off the pitch. That’s a divisive entity if we’ve ever seen one, but if you’re a Leipzig fan, you don’t care one bit. This team is more than capable of making a push for the title and while they’ll have to be careful that they don’t lose too many of their star names this summer, the focus should be on what they can accomplish in the here and now.

Team News

Upamecano is available following his suspension whereas Werner is also available after a thigh problem. Elsewhere, Ampadu is a doubt due to a back injury and Forsberg has been ruled out due to tonsilitis.

Factors to Consider

• In their last meeting back in November, Leipzig smashed Mainz 8-0.
• Mainz have won two, drawn three and lost one of their last six games.
• Leipzig have won three and drawn three of their last six games.
• Mainz have scored eight goals and conceded eight in their last six games.
• Leipzig have scored 11 goals and conceded two in their last six games.

Conclusion

Mainz are going to try and pick their moments, but this defensive powerhouse that Leipzig has created isn’t going to give them an inch. We think that the longer the game goes on the harder it’ll be for the visitors to break Mainz down, but as we saw earlier on this season, there’s a good chance the floodgates will well and truly open if they score even once. It’s going to be an intriguing chess match between two sides at either end of the table, but we’re backing Leipzig to edge out the win.

Prediction: RB Leipzig win

Best Odds: 2/5

Bookmaker: bet365