Stuttgart vs Mainz Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 German Bundesliga
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After being beaten away at Freiburg on the opening weekend, Stuttgart look to bounce back at home to Mainz on the back of their midweek win in the DFB-Pokal first round.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Saturday August 31st 2024 – UK – 2:30pm / US ET – 9:30am / US PT – 6:30am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Not televised / US – Some matches will be televised on ESPN channels so it is worth checking their schedules
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – ESPN+
STUTTGART PREVIEW: STILL ADAPTING TO LIFE WITHOUT STARS OF LAST SEASON
Losing the likes of Serhou Guirassy, Waldemar Anton and Hiroki Ito was always going to be difficult for Stuttgart to cope with, especially early on in the new campaign and a 3-1 loss away to Freiburg was testament to that. Despite taking the lead early on, their backline looked notably weaker and the hosts duly capitalised.
However, last season’s second-placed finishers responded well with a 0-5 win midweek in the DFB-Pokal and now Sebastian Hoeness will want his side to transfer that level of cutting edge into their league performances.
MAINZ PREVIEW: MAINZ FRUSTRATED TO BE PEGGED BACK AT HOME
Mainz looked set for three points against Union Berlin in their opening encounter of the campaign, but the side managed by their old boss Bo Svensson had a sting in the tail and managed to grab a point, equalising with around 16 minutes of normal time remaining. A tough pill to swallow for a team who need to pick up wins at home.
This serves as a difficult challenge for Mainz on the road when taking into account how brutally efficient Stuttgart won on their own patch last season, especially from an attacking point of view, so expect the backline to be busy.
STUTTGART TEAM NEWS: DOUBTS OVER RAIMUND AND VAGNOMAN
The likes of Nartey, Stergious and Zagadou are missing for the hosts, but Raimund and Vagnoman could yet be passed fit in time to play some part in this match whether it be from the start or off the bench.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Nubel; Stenzel, Chase, Chabot, Mittelstadt; Millot, Karazor, Stiller, Fuhrich; Undav, Demirovic
UNAVAILABLE: Al-Dakhil (Injured), Nartey (Injured), Rouault (Injured), Stergiou (Injured), Zagadou (Fitness)
QUESTIONABLE: Raimund (Injured), Vagnoman (Injured)
MAINZ TEAM NEWS: NEW SIGNING UNLIKELY TO MAKE DEBUT
Having just joined Mainz on loan from Wolfsburg prior to the transfer deadline, centre-back Moritz Jenz will more than likely have to wait to make his first appearance for the club, as he is currently nursing a thigh injury.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Zentner; Kohr, Leitsch, Hanche-Olsen; Caci, Sano, Amiri, Mwene; Burkardt, Onisiwo, Lee
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Jenz (Injured)
STUTTGART VS MAINZ PREDICTION
Although there does remain question marks regarding the stability of Stuttgart’s defence as they continue to adapt to life with Anton and Ito, their notorious attacking potency under Hoeness should paper over the cracks in this match. Demirovic and Undav looks a promising forward partnership in the making and could be afforded some joy.
It’s hard to see Mainz being able to contain the hosts, however they are more than capable of finding the net themselves and a shrewd move may be to back a Stuttgart win, but also for both teams to score.
STUTTGART VS MAINZ TIP: STUTTGART TO WIN AND BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
