Prediction: Mainz vs Union Berlin

Verdict: DNB Union Berlin

Best odds: 2.46

Bookmaker: ZetBet

Mainz welcome Union Berlin in a survival match between two teams fighting tooth and nail to avoid relegation. The game will take place at Mewa Arena where the local fans hope for a much-needed win from their favorites.

Mainz

Jan Siewert’s side is having a disastrous season with results below expectations that have sent Mainz to the bottom of the table, level on points with Darmstadt. With only 11 points accumulated in 19 rounds, the hosts seem to be heading towards the second tier of German football. Although they are unbeaten in 9 of their 19 games, Mainz managed to get only one win in these matches.

However, this sole success came in November against Leipzig when Mainz caused one of the upsets of the round defeating at-home Marco Roses’s team (2-0 final score). The home side’s upfront problems are quite obvious. Jan Siewert’s players managed to score only 14 goals this term. Mainz have the weakest attack in the Bundesliga, alongside FC Cologne.

The hosts’ current confidence is low given their last two league defeats. Frankfurt and Werder Bremen narrowly defeated the Carnival Club with the same score (1-0). Winning against Union Berlin might be decisive at the end of the season considering this is a direct battle between both who are looking to avoid relegation. A defeat can further increase the pressure in Mainz’s dressing room with Jan Siewert walking currently on thin ice.

Team News

Mainz is facing a major injury crisis in defence with two centre-backs being out of action. Andreas Hanche-Olsen is still recovering from his terrible ankle injury suffered in September. Stefan Bell is fighting to recover from an infection picked up at the beginning of January.

Nelson Weiper, the young talented striker, is working hard to get back on the pitch after his major knee injury sustained in mid-September. Attacking midfielder Jae-sun Lee is fulfilling his national team duties.

Union Berlin

From Champions League group-stage games to a tough relegation battle, we can say that Union Berlin are in free fall. The ending of an era culminated with Urs Fischer being sacked at the beginning of November. Nenad Bjelica took the steering wheel hoping to lead the team in a better direction. His side started producing better results, giving slight survival hope to fans.

Under this command, the visitors managed to achieve important victories in the league that propelled the capital team out of the relegation positions. However, with only 17 points accumulated in 19 rounds, Union are 2 points above safety. Looking at the schedule ahead, The Iron Ones need to start picking up points fast if they are to avoid a terrible end to the season.

The players coached by Bielica had a poor start to the year, managing to get only one win out of the 4 games. Defeats to Bayern Munich and Leipzig were somehow expected, with Union Berlin still managing to win against Darmstadt at home. The away draw against Freiburg proves that Union can pull off good on the road, making them favourites against Mainz.

Team News

Union Berlin doesn’t have any major injury concerns with Nenad Bjelica being able to line up a strong team against Mainz. However, the Croatian manager will see the game from the stands after being banned for 3 games following the row he had with Leroy Sane.

Aissa Laidouni will not be part of the squad fulfilling his national team duties. Kevin Voght and Robin Gossens are at risk of being suspended if they get booked.

Key factors to consider

• Mainz is struggling this season winning only one Bundesliga game so far (2-0 home win against Leipzig)
• The hosts’ form is dipping losing 3 of their last 4 games
• Jan Siewert’s team has one of the weakest attacks in the Bundesliga scoring only one goal in the last 4 rounds.
• Union Berlin is a disappointment this term going from playing Champions League Football to being engaged in a relegation battle
• The visitors are struggling on the road winning only one Bundesliga game
• Nenad Bjelica’s team was off target lately, failing to score in the last 4 games played away from home

Conclusion

Mainz vs Union Berlin will be an all-out battle between two teams in desperate need of points. Although Mainz has the advantage of playing in front of their fans, on paper the visitors are the more valuable team. We are backing the visitors to score at least one goal and leave the pitch undefeated.

Verdict: DNB Union Berlin

Best odds: 2.46

Bookmaker: ZetBet