Mainz vs Bayer Leverkusen Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 German Bundesliga
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
THE FACTS
When is Mainz vs Bayer Leverkusen on and what time does it start? Mainz vs Bayer Leverkusen will take place on Saturday 30th September, 2023 – 14:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Mainz vs Bayer Leverkusen? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Mainz vs Bayer Leverkusen on in the UK? Sky Sports have the rights to German Bundesliga matches in the UK so it is worth checking their schedule for Mainz vs Bayer Leverkusen
Where can I stream Mainz vs Bayer Leverkusen in the UK? If televised on Sky Sports, Mainz vs Bayer Leverkusencan be streamed live on the Sky Go app
THE LOWDOWN
MAINZ
Rooted bottom of the Bundesliga table with just one point to their name, Mainz would have hoped for a less formidable opponent than what they face here. The hosts are coming off the back of three consecutive Bundesliga losses, shipping a worrying ten goals in the process. This hardly bodes well when coming up against one of the strongest attacking teams in the division.
Most recently, Mainz were narrowly beaten 2-1 away at Augsburg where a first half double from Ermedin Demirovic proved their undoing after striker Ludovic Ajorque had put them in front early in the game. A lack of potency in the second half saw Mainz fail to turn things around.
BAYER LEVERKUSEN
It’s ridiculous to think that despite their 4-1 beating of Heidenheim last weekend, Bayer Leverkusen were knocked off the top of the Bundesliga table. But that’s exactly what happened due to Bayern’s 7-0 thrashing of Augsburg, taking them above Leverkusen on goal difference following their thrilling 2-2 draw immediately following the international break.
Bayer Leverkusen were forced to work for their three points over newly promoted Heidenheim, but as the match wore on their attacking class, strength-in-depth and superior fitness levels told as they wound up convincing winners. Striker Victor Boniface adding another two goals to his already impressive collection.
THE TEAM NEWS
MAINZ
Mainz will be forced to do without a number of players for the visit of Leverkusen. Burkardt, Hanche-Olsen and Leitsch are all missing, whilst a hamstring injury keeps out youngster Nelson Weiper. Silvan Widmer is also missing and there are doubts over the fitness of Phillipp Mwene.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Zentner; van den Berg, Bell, Fernandes; Da Costa, Barreiro, Kohr, Caci; Lee, Ajorque, Onisiwo
UNAVAILABLE: Burkardt (Injured), Hanche-Olsen (Injured), Leitsch (Injured), Weiper (Injured), Widmer (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Mwene (Injured)
BAYER LEVERKUSEN
Don’t expect anything to change in regards to the Bayer Leverkusen side. Exequiel Palacios should continue to be preferred over Robert Andrich in centre-midfield. Despite Amine Adli’s goal off the bench vs Heidenheim, he shouldn’t displace the tried and tested front three of Hofmann, Boniface and Wirtz.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Hradecky; Kossounou, Tah, Tapsoba; Frimpong, Palacios, Xhaka, Grimaldo; Hofmann, Boniface, Wirtz
UNAVAILABLE: Arthur (Injured), Fosu-Mensah (Injured), Mbamba (Injured), Schick (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
With a striker in red-hot form, not to mention a team capable of scoring goals all over the pitch, it’s hard to see who can stop Bayer Leverkusen at present. Expect the offensive quality of the away side to overwhelm Mainz, who could be in for a long afternoon. Any outcome other than a comfortable victory for Xabi Alonso’s side would be a big surprise and they are expected to triumph by at least two clear goals in Mainz.
TIP: BAYER LEVERKUSEN TO WIN WITH -1 HANDICAP
