Mainz vs Bayern Munich Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Mainz begin the weekend in the top-half of the table with a chance of pushing for UEFA competition qualification ahead of facing league leaders Bayern Munich this weekend.
Kick-off date/time: Saturday 14th December, 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+
Mainz Preview: Improved Mainz
Mainz come into this one on the back of an end to their three-match winning streak at the Volkswagen Arena against Wolfsburg last weekend. They suffered a 4-3 defeat to Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side in a game in which they had led 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2.
The home team, coached by Bo Henriksen, begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sititng just a couple of points and places outside of the top seven and the UEFA competition qualification spots. They have been entertaining, too, with their 23 games consisting of 41 goals.
Bayern Munich Preview: Kompany’s Bayern
The surprise appointment of former Burnley boss Vincent Kompany over the summer did bring about quite a lot of scepticism but, domestically, Bayern Munich have been very impressive as they sit six points clear at the top-of-the-table ahead of the 14th match day.
The Bavarians are dealing with an injury crisis but did still manage to comfortably and impressively defeat Heidenheim by four goals to two at the Allianz Arena last weekend thanks to a brace from Jamal Musiala as well as strikes by Dayot Upamecano and Leon Goretzka.
Mainz Team News: Hanche-Olsen issue
After missing last weekend, Norway international defender Andreas Hance-Olsen is now an injury doubt for this one. As well as Hanche-Olsen, both Danny da Costa, replaced last weekend, and Gabriel Vidovic are sidelined due to injury, too.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Zentner; Leitsch, Bell, Kohr; Caci, Sano, Amiri, Mwene; Nebel, Lee; Burkardt
Unavailable: Da Costa (Injured), Vidovic (Injured)
Questionable: Hanche-Olsen (Injured)
Bayern Munich Team News: Injury crisis
England captain Harry Kane remains sidelined due to a thigh strain for this weekend with club captain Manuel Neuer also now unavailable due to injury. As well as those two, key attackers such as Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry are also out injured.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Peretz; Boey, Upamecano, Kim, Davies; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Olise, Musiala, Sane; Muller
Unavailable: Neuer (Injured), Ito (Injured), Stanisic (Injured), Joao Palhinha (Injured), Coman (Injured), Gnabry (Injured), Kane (Injured)
Questionable: Tel (Injured)
Mainz vs Bayern Munich Prediction
Mainz will fancy their chances of getting at a Bayern Munich side that, in the style of Vincent Kompany, are quite weak at the back with the likes of Lee Jae-sung and Jonathan Burkardt primed to hurt them. Despite Bayern’s many injury issues, they still have an abundance of attacking talent to steamroll middling sides in the Bundesliga so they do remain favourites for a potentially high-scoring and entertaining encounter.
Mainz vs Bayern Munich Tip: Bayern Munich to win & both teams to score
