Mainz 05 vs. St. Pauli preview: Die Nullfünfer targeting back-to-back victories
Mainz 05
Mainz are currently sitting in sixth place in the Bundesliga table after winning 10, drawing five and losing seven of their 22 league games this season. Die Nullfünfer have won two of their last four matches, including a 2-0 victory in last Sunday’s away clash against Heidenheim. Jonathan Burkardt and Nelson Weiper grabbed a goal apiece to fire their team to all three points, bringing an end to a three-game losing run.
Die Nullfünfer will now return to the Mewa Arena, where they have won five of their last six league games. Impressively, Mainz have recorded shutouts in each of their last three Bundesliga home matches, highlighting one of their key strengths this season. In fact, Bo Henriksen’s side boast the second-best defensive record with 24 goals conceded in 22 games.
Given their strong backline, Mainz will be confident of negating a St. Pauli side who are currently the lowest scorers in the top flight. The hosts have the chance to complete a league double over St. Pauli after cruising to a 3-0 victory in October’s reverse fixture.
Team News
Mainz are unable to call upon the services of Stefan Bell, who remains sidelined with a muscle injury.
St. Pauli
St. Pauli head into the weekend in 14th position after winning six, drawing three and losing 13 of their 22 league matches. They may enjoy a seven-point gap to the bottom three, but they will be frustrated with the fact they have failed to win any of their last three matches. Alexander Blessin’s side played out a 1-1 draw with Augsburg, before they fell to back-to-back defeats against RB Leipzig and Freiburg.
They drew a blank in both of those defeats, meaning they have now failed to find the net in 12 of their 22 Bundesliga matches this season - more than any other side in the top flight. While they may be the league’s lowest scorers, St. Pauli boast the third-best defensive record in the Bundesliga with just 25 goals conceded. They will hope that a sturdy defence can help them end a run of three consecutive defeats in competitive meetings with Mainz.
Team News
The visitors are expected to be without Robert Wagner, Sascha Burchert, Manolis Saliakas, Morgan Guilavogui, James Sands, Karol Mets and Simon Zoller.
