Mainz vs Stuttgart Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 German Bundesliga
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THE FACTS
When is Mainz vs Stuttgart on and what time does it start? Mainz vs Stuttgart will take place on Saturday 16th September, 2023 – 14:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Mainz vs Stuttgart? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Mainz vs Stuttgart 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 Stuttgart
Where can I stream Mainz vs Stuttgart in the UK? If televised on Sky Sports, Mainz vs Stuttgart can be streamed live on the Sky Go app
THE LOWDOWN
MAINZ
Mainz’s trip to fellow strugglers Werder Bremen pre-international break, ended in absolute disaster for them as they were taken apart by four goals to nil. The result leaves them second-bottom of the Bundesliga table with goal difference counting against them, having conceded nine goals so far and scoring just two.
The two-week will have likely done them good, with Jurgen Klopp coming to visit his old club giving Mainz supporters something to cheer about and the atmosphere is likely to be a good one here with home advantage always a key strength of Mainz’s in the German top flight.
STUTTGART
Whisper it quietly, but three points here for Stuttgart would see them go to within one point of the Bundesliga summit following Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen’s draw on Friday night. Certainly not what anyone would have expected from the relegation play-off winners last season, but this is a different Stuttgart under Steffen Baumgart, who saved them and is now propelling them to new heights.
Whilst they are yet to make a big splash on the road, Stuttgart have proven irresistible at home, recording consecutive 5-0 victories on their own patch. Their most recent triumph came against Freiburg, who were taken apart by Stuttgart in the first 20 minutes, the attacking potency of the hosts being a joy to behold.
THE TEAM NEWS
MAINZ
Andreas Hanche-Olsen will be hoping to prove his fitness ahead of this game following an ankle injury, whilst both Ludovic Ajorque and Nelson Weiper are also doubtful, the latter currently nursing a hamstring problem. Burkardt, Leitsch and Widmer are all out.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Zentner; Van den Berg, Bell, Fernandes; Hanche-Olsen, Barreiro, Kohr, Mwene; Gruda, Onisiwo, Lee
UNAVAILABLE: Burkardt (Injured), Leitsch (Injured), Widmer (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Ajorque (Injured), Hanche-Olsen (Injured), Weiper (Injured)
STUTTGART
Forward Thomas Kastanaras and midfielder Nikolas Nartey are each missing for Stuttgart and defender Josha Vagnoman is a doubt, but Baumgart’s side more than likely picks itself with the exception of Jeong Woo-yeong, who misses out through international duty with South Korea.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Nubel; Stenzel, Anton, Zagadou, Ito; Karazor, Stiller; Silas, Millot, Fuhrich; Guirassy
UNAVAILABLE: Jeong (International Duty), Kastanaras (Injured), Nartey (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Vagnoman (Injured)
THE PREDICTION
When Stuttgart have been in action this Bundesliga season, drama has ensued with one team ending up scoring five goals, whether it be them or the opposition. You wouldn’t expect them to change anytime soon, which bodes well for those hoping to see an exciting encounter at MEWA Arena. Mainz know the importance of home advantage and will need to try and take the game to Stuttgart offensively, especially when considering their fragile backline is unlikely to keep out the visitors at the other end across 90 minutes. Therefore, both teams to score may well be on the cards.
TIP: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
