RB Leipzig, contenders for a top-four position in the Bundesliga, are set to welcome Mainz 05, a team facing the threat of relegation, to the Red Bull Arena on Saturday. Leipzig’s favorable upcoming matches position them as frontrunners to surpass Borussia Dortmund and secure fourth place in the league standings. Conversely, Mainz’s chances of avoiding relegation remain uncertain, despite a promising outcome in their recent fixture prior to the international break.
Match preview
Leipzig approaches the upcoming weekend with a sense of anticipation for another victory, which could significantly bolster their aspirations for a sixth consecutive qualification for the UEFA Champions League.
Their forthcoming match against a team facing relegation positions Leipzig favorably on paper compared to Dortmund, who are set to face Bayern Munich in the highly anticipated Der Klassiker.
Additionally, by playing in the earlier time slot, Marco Rose’s team has the opportunity to secure fourth place before Dortmund’s match, with only a single point differentiating the two teams at the commencement of the weekend.
Leipzig’s recent success, following a challenging start to 2024 that jeopardized their top-four ambitions, has been attributed to their ability to capitalize on a series of advantageous fixtures. After enduring a streak of just two victories in eight matches, they have now clinched three consecutive wins, the last two against teams currently positioned for automatic relegation.
Their upcoming fixture against the team occupying the relegation playoff spot follows previous encounters with Mainz, a team that has proven to be a formidable opponent despite Leipzig’s dominant performances in the 2019-20 season. Notably, Mainz has emerged victorious in four of their last six meetings, including a notable 3-0 triumph at the Red Bull Arena last season and a recent 2-0 win earlier this season.
Despite Mainz’s struggles away from home, as evidenced by their club-record 17-match winless streak in the Bundesliga, their recent victory over Bochum provided a glimmer of hope before the international break. This win enabled Mainz to escape the automatic relegation places and narrow the gap to just six points behind Thomas Letsch’s side, a significant achievement considering the seemingly insurmountable distance not long ago.
Mainz currently holds the undesirable title of having the worst away record in the Bundesliga, having amassed only six points and remaining the sole team without a victory this season. However, their recent triumph suggests a potential turnaround in fortunes as they strive to secure their Bundesliga status.
Team News
In Leipzig’s upcoming match, midfielder Amadou Haidara will be absent due to suspension following a booking in the team’s previous game. However, there is positive news for the squad as defender Lukas Klostermann returns after a prolonged absence caused by a thigh injury. On the other hand, defender Willi Orban’s participation remains uncertain due to a groin issue that kept him out of Hungary’s recent fixtures.
Mainz will also face personnel challenges as midfielder Dominik Kohr is set to miss the upcoming match due to suspension stemming from a yellow card received in their victory over Bochum. Despite concerns, midfielder Nadiem Amiri is expected to play despite a recent bout of illness, while Josuha Guilavogui has made a swift recovery from a concussion sustained during the team’s defeat to Bayern Munich.
Manager Henriksen has confirmed the return of all Mainz’s international players, asserting their readiness to participate in the forthcoming match against Leipzig this weekend.
RB Leipzig possible starting lineup:
Gulacsi; Henrichs, Klostermann, Lukeba, Raum; Kampl, Schlager; Dani Olmo, Openda, Sesko, Simons
Mainz 05 possible starting lineup:
Zentner; Fernandes, Berg, Hanche-Olsen; Widmer, Barreiro Martins, Amiri, Caci; Burkardt, Lee; Ajorque