Mainz vs RB Leipzig prediction: GERMANY: Bundesliga betting tips on match 2023-11-03 14:30.
Bo Svensson is walking a tightrope as Mainz manager, with their worst-ever start to a Bundesliga season continuing last weekend. The 05ers sit bottom of the table with just three points from nine matches, while the recent 2-2 draw against fellow strugglers Bochum extended a desperate run of form to 14 league games without victory (D4, L10).
Their point at Vonovia Ruhrstadion was only secured through a last-gasp strike from Tom Krauß, leading Sporting Director Martin Schmidt to admit the goal “papered over the cracks” after a “terrible” first half. Hopes of a better performance on a return to home soil may be somewhat forlorn though, given Mainz have lost five of their last six outings (D1) at the Mewa Arena, conceding at least three goals in each defeat.
History suggests things won’t get any easier with the visit of RB Leipzig, to whom Mainz suffered their heaviest top-flight defeat in 2019 when losing 8-0. That was one of seven wins for the Red Bulls in 14 H2Hs (D3, L4), who also ominously dished out a 6-0 hammering to Cologne in their last league game, their biggest Bundesliga win since September 2021.
It was also a sixth league victory in their last eight outings (D2), but manager Marco Rose believes the result and performance was just what the doctor ordered after a lot of “hard-fought” successes in recent weeks. Indeed, the only sour note for RB Leipzig was a serious shoulder injury picked up by Dani Olmo, who will now be out of action for several weeks.
Key battle: Mainz goalkeeper Robin Zentner has conceded 24 goals in nine matches (D3, D2, L4) against RB Leipzig, the most he’s let in against any opposition. Looking to extend that miserable record will be visiting striker Xavi Simons, whose last seven league strikes have all been the first or last of the match.
Hot stat: Only four of RB Leipzig’s nine Bundesliga matches have seen both teams score, a joint-low for the division.