FSV Mainz is hosting Hoffenheim at Opel Arena in round 21 of the German Bundesliga. Mainz is a decent team, but they are now on a 3-game losing streak, and they have dropped in the table. Hoffenheim was also on a nice roll in Bundesliga for a while, but they have lost their last 2 games in a row, and they are out of the top 4.
As I’ve mentioned, Mainz is on a 3-game losing streak during which they have conceded 6 goals while scoring 2 goals. With 27 points, 28 scored goals, and 23 conceded goals, Mainz is now in 10th place in the Bundesliga standings. At home, Mainz is outstanding, on both ends, and they have only 1 loss so far, but with the form they are in, it will be hard to sustain that. Burkardt is the leading goalscorer for Mainz with 7 goals, while Onisiwo added 6 assists and 3 goals. Mainz has had the ambitions to qualify for Europe, and they are good enough to do it, but they’re now far away from it. Of course, there is still enough time for them to make it happen, but they need to snap out of this losing streak.
Hoffenheim is a solid team, especially in the attacking end where they scored 41 goals so far this season. their defense on the other hand was not as good so far this season. Hoffenheim has conceded 32 goals, and unless they can improve on that end, they won’t be able to qualify for Europe. In their last 3 games, Hoffenheim has conceded 9 goals, while they scored only 4 goals, and even though they played against some solid teams, they should have gotten a few points out of those games. With 7 goals, Bebou is the leading goalscorer for Hoffenheim, Rutter has added 5 goals, while Kramaric has added 7 assists. Hoffenheim is now in 7th place with 31 points, but the good news is they are only 3 points away from 4th place, and if they can break this losing streak, they might just get there soon. There are still a few injuries in Hoffenheim, but they have had those for a while, and they are already used to it. I think Hoffenheim is a good team, more offensively than defensively, but that might be enough to reach Europe.
Mainz has been outstanding at home so far, but neither team is in good form right now, and honestly, that game could go either way. I’m staying away from sides in this one, and I will stick to goals.