Mainz vs Hoffenheim Prediction & Tips
Mainz’s league performance since the beginning of November has left much to be desired (G3, D2, P5), but the “05ers” can once again be close to a ticket to European competition if they win this clash. With all three of those wins during that period seeing them keep a clean sheet and being recorded at home, scoring first would provide a huge boost for Mainz as they aim to finish in the top six for the first time since the 2015/16 season.
Regarding the latter, the “Carnival Club” are currently three points lower than they were at this point in the aforementioned season, so it seems that Mainz cannot afford to stagnate again. However, they have only won one of five home meetings with Hoffenheim since that campaign (D2, L2), of which four saw both teams score.
Hoffenheim travel with a dismal record of nine goals conceded in their last three games (P3), but still go into February just three points shy of the top four. However, the Kraichgauers certainly know how to break down opposing defences, having scored in ten consecutive games (W5, D2, L3), but with their last four wins seeing the first two goals shared between the two teams, nothing is guaranteed.
The visitors have also conceded multiple goals in seven of their nine Bundesliga away games since a 4-0 thrashing of Augsburg in August (G2, D2, L5). Excluding the opposition’s own goals, all of their consolation goals in those defeats were recorded beyond the 60th minute, indicating that Hoffenheim can sometimes let it be too late to recover from setbacks.
Players to watch: Jonathan Burkardt opened the scoring for Mainz in the first meeting between the clubs this season, and two of his last three opener goals at home in a Bundesliga match came in the first three minutes . Away striker Moanes Dabbur still represents Hoffenheim’s last point away from home (2-2) — surprisingly, nine of the ten games in which he has found the net in his entire Bundesliga career have registered four or more total goals.
Featured fact: The home side of the occasion have led the scoreboard at half-time in only one of the last nine clashes between the two sides.
Mainz – Hoffenheim FREE TIPS
OVER 2.5 GOALS @ 2.25
