Mainz vs Union Berlin prediction: GERMANY: Bundesliga betting tips on match 2024-08-23 13:30.
[p]Looking certainties for relegation for a large chunk of the campaign, Mainz went unbeaten in their last nine Bundesliga games of the 2023/24 season (W5, D4) to climb to 13th and avoid the drop. Conceding just five goals across those last nine matchdays, which was a league-low during that period, manager Bo Henriksen – appointed in February – is yet to taste defeat at the MEWA Arena, with Die NullfĂĽnfer’s home form to close out the season (W5, D3) key to their survival. [/p]
[p]Henriksen’s side won three of their four pre-season games, but then struggled past third-tier outfit Wehen in the DFB-Pokal last weekend, requiring extra time to progress. That suggests they are still way off where they need to be if they want to avoid a repeat of last season’s struggles, and a run of just three wins in their last ten opening Bundesliga games (D1, L6) highlights why a good start isn’t guaranteed here. [/p]
[p]One of those six matchday one defeats came last season against none other than Union Berlin, losing via a hefty 4-1 scoreline. That helped extend Union’s unbeaten record in their maiden league game of the season to three (W2, D1), though this campaign is the first time in six seasons that they will begin a top-flight campaign away from home. [/p]
[p]Despite their opening day win last season, Union only avoided a relegation play-off by virtue of goal difference having finished 15th and on the same points as Bochum in 16th. Failing to score on 17 occasions last season, a joint-league high, was a big issue and in a bid to remedy that, Union appointed Bo Svensson as their new head coach in the summer, replacing the sacked Nenad Bjelica. The Danishman won his first competitive game at the helm last weekend, edging past fourth-tier outfit Greifswald in the DFB Pokal (1-0).[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Having scored in last weekend’s cup victory, Mainz striker Jonathan Burkardt now has five goals in his last seven competitive appearances. Rani Khedira was booked in three of his last four competitive appearances in the 2023/24 season, all of which came before the 50th minute.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Union Berlin have only beaten Cologne more often (seven) than they have Mainz (six) in the Bundesliga.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Ben Olawumi[/i][/p]