Wolfsburg vs. Mainz 05 preview: Both sides targeting European football
Two teams that are hoping to qualify for European competition will face off on Sunday when Wolfsburg play host to Mainz 05.
Wolfsburg
After picking up two points from three games, Wolfsburg returned to winning ways in style, thrashing Bochum 5-1 in their away meeting last weekend. Jakub Kaminski, Patrick Wimmer and Luca Waldschmidt all grabbed a goal apiece, while Mattias Svanberg netted a brace to secure a comfortable win.
With five fixtures to play in the 2022-23 campaign, Wolfsburg are currently sitting in eighth place, and they will move to within two points of the top six if they can beat Mainz on Sunday.
Claiming three points may be easier said than done for a Wolfsburg side that are winless in six home matches. After losing to Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig at the Volkswagen Arena in February, Wolfsburg have gone on to play out four consecutive home draws.
However, they will take confidence from the 5-0 victory they recorded over Mainz in their most recent home meeting. They also eased to a 3-0 win when the two sides met in November.
Team News
Kevin Paredes, Paulo Otavio and Lukas Nmecha will miss out with injury issues, while
Micky van de Ven is suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
Mainz 05
Mainz are currently two points better off than their hosts after they extend their unbeaten run to 10 matches with a memorable 3-1 win over Bayern Munich last time out. Sadio Mané gave the Bavarians a half-time lead, but Ludovic Ajorque, Leandro Barreiro and Aarón Martín all found the net in the second period to secure all three points.
Having collected 45 points from their 29 league games, Bo Svensson’s side are now just one point away from equalling last season’s tally.
Die Nullfünfer will be hoping to continue their impressive form in the final third in Sunday’s clash with Wolfsburg. Since losing 1-0 to Schalke in November, Mainz have found the net in 15 consecutive Bundesliga matches. They have also scored in 13 of their 14 away league games this season, although they have failed to trouble the scorers in three of their last four away meetings with Wolfsburg.
Team News
Mainz are still unable to call upon Jonathan Burkardt due to a knee injury, while Maxim Leitsch is a doubt for Sunday's encounter.