Mainz vs Hoffenheim prediction: GERMANY: Bundesliga betting tips on match 2024-04-12 13:30.
[p]Mainz’s decision to hire Bo Henriksen as manager is paying dividends. The Dane was parachuted in as head coach in mid-February as the club floundered in their battle for survival in the Bundesliga. Since then, he has delivered three victories across his seven games in charge (D2, L2) to move the club into the relegation play-off place, just three points behind Bochum in 15th.[/p]
[p]It really has been a remarkable turnaround for the 05ers, who were on an 11-match streak without success before Henriksen’s arrival. Not only has Henriksen restored their pride, but declared earlier this month that the “team is getting better and better”. They went on to prove that with their biggest victory of the season – a 4-0 drubbing of Darmstadt last weekend – leaving fans hopeful that the club will extend their 15-year stint in the top flight.[/p]
[p]History dictates that they may be confident of maintaining their recent good form against opponents Hoffenheim, who have won just one of the last seven H2Hs (D2, L4). That is not good news for the visitors, who still harbour some hopes of qualifying for a UEFA competition for only the fourth time in their history, as they head into this round six points off the top six.[/p]
[p]Their position in the table looks somewhat better after a 3-1 win over Augsburg at the weekend, which ended a three-match losing streak. Pellegrino Matarazzo said there were “a lot of positive things” to take from that victory and truly believes his side are still in the race for a European place. But he would also be aware his side must improve on the road if they are to do so, following a miserable run of only one victory in their last ten away games across all competitions (D2, L7).[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Lee Jae-Sung’s brace in Mainz’s victory over Darmstadt last weekend means he has won eight of the last ten games in which he has scored (D1, L1). Fighting him for supremacy will be Hoffenheim forward Robert Skov, who has seen seven of his last eight strikes serve as the first or last of the match.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Mainz are winless in Bundesliga games in which they conceded the opening goal this season (D4, L12). [/p]