RB Leipzig vs. Mainz preview: Die Roten Bullen aiming to climb into top four
A home win over relegation-threatened Mainz will allow RB Leipzig to leapfrog Borussia Dortmund into fourth place if the Black and Yellows drop points away to Bayern.
| Photo: Steffen Prößdorf, CC BY-SA 4.0 |
RB Leipzig
Facing the team with the worst away record in the league, RB Leipzig will be heavy favorites for Saturday's home clash with Mainz.
Die Roten Bullen had a strong run of form before the international break, comfortably beating Bochum, Darmstadt and FC Köln, three of the teams in Mainz's relegation battle.
They've actually lost their last two games against Mainz, but will be determined to end that run, knowing that Die Nullfünfer lost 8-1 to Bayern in their last away game.
Three points could prove very valuable in the race for Champions League qualification, as Leipzig sit fifth, just one point behind fourth-placed Borussia Dortmund, who are at high risk of dropping points this weekend as they travel to Bayern.
Team News
Amadou Haidara is the only absentee for RB Leipzig.
Mainz
Sitting in the relegation playoff spot one point above 17th-placed FC Köln, Mainz are desperate for points to avoid the drop.
Die Nullfünfer suffered a horrific 8-1 defeat at the hands of Bayern in their last away game, but bounced back to beat Bochum 2-0 at home.
That, and the fact that they've beaten Leipzig in their last two head-to-head matches, should give them hope that they can pull off an upset, although it looks like a difficult game on paper for Bo Henriksen's team.
Team News
Stefan Bell, Dominik Kohr, Maxim Leitsch and Nelson Weiper are unavailable for Mainz.