Mainz vs TSG Hoffenheim 30/05/20

30 May 2020

Out-of-sorts Mainz welcome the unpredictable TSG Hoffenheim side to the Opel Arena, looking to post their third straight victory in their Bundesliga (BL) H2Hs.

A 1-1 away draw with Union Berlin last time out has marked Mainz’s fourth consecutive league match without a win (D3, L1) as they now sit just a single point clear of relegation-threatened Fortuna Dusseldorf. The ‘Karnevalsverein’ have failed to impress at home lately, too, picking up only one victory in their last eight BL home fixtures (D2, L5). Not only that each five of those defeats saw Mainz concede the opening goal, but four have seen them allow at least one more before replying. A lot of Mainz’s home problems come from their lackluster attacking displays, with just one side netting fewer BL home goals than Achim Beierlorzer’s team (15).

As for the visitors, they’ve managed to break a seven-game winless BL run with a 3-1 home success against Koln last time out (D3, L4), as they now sit only three points adrift of six-placed Wolfsburg. But, judging on their recent away performances, it will be a daunting prospect for Hoffenheim to pick up three points here. Indeed, they’ve failed to secure a win in four consecutive league travels (D3, L1), with each of those three stalemates yielding the identical 1-1 scoreline. Alfred Schreuder can be happy to know that his side dodged a failure in all of their last three top-flight trips to Mainz (W1, D2), with each of those matchups seeing over 3.5 goals and both sides on the scoresheet.