The fight for Bundesliga points continues this Sunday afternoon as Hamburger SV and Mainz 05 clash at the Volksparkstadion.
Newly promoted hosts have made a slow start to the season, scoring just two goals and winning one measly game. Die Nullfunfer also boast just one victory since the start of the new Bundesliga campaign, though things have not been made easy by their European exploits.
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Hamburger SV vs Mainz prediction: Hosts struggling since promotion
Key stats
- Just one of Hamburg’s five Bundesliga matches this season saw both teams score.
- Hamburg conceded five Bundesliga goals in the opening 30 minutes of matches.
- Mainz have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last 16 Bundesliga matches.
- Mainz have trailed at the interval in three of their last four league encounters.
Correct score prediction: Hamburger SV 0-0 Mainz
Hamburg have miserably failed to score in four of their five Bundesliga games this season – a stat which underlines their underwhelming return to the top tier.
Mainz, on the other hand, could face tiredness as they embark on their second away trip in four days.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Stuttgart predicted to win by the bookmakers
- HOME: 7/4 (2.75) – 36.4%
- DRAW: 5/2 (3.50) – 28.6%
- AWAY: 7/5 (2.40) – 41.7%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Mainz are the expected winner of this clash, with a probability of 41.7%, and the bookmakers would be surprised if they failed to beat Hamburg.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Mainz show dominance
Mainz are unbeaten against Hamburg in six previous meetings, last winning a 3-2 thriller back in 2017.
Hamburg's last success against Mainz came 10 years ago, when Die Rothosen managed a 2-1 victory away from home.
Germany Bundesliga I 03/03/18
Hamburg
Mainz
Germany Bundesliga I 14/10/17
Mainz
Hamburg
Germany Bundesliga I 07/05/17
Hamburg
Mainz
Germany Bundesliga I 17/12/16
Mainz
Hamburg
Germany Bundesliga I 30/04/16
Mainz
Hamburg
Hamburger SV preview: Hosts missing new signing
Hamburg’s summer acquisition Fabio Vieira is suspended for Sunday’s encounter after picking up a red card in the goalless draw with Union Berlin last time out.
Warmed Omari sustained an ankle injury in that same game and is set to be out for several weeks. Midfielder Silvan Hefti, on the other hand, is expected to miss out through a reoccurring hip injury.
Predicted lineup: Heuer Fernandes (GK), Ramos, Vuskovic, Torunarigha, Gocholeishvili, Remberg, Capaldo, Muheim, Philippe, Konigsdorffer & Dompe
Last five results:
- Union Berlin 0-0 Hamburg
- Hamburg 2-1 Heidenheim
- Bayern Munich 5-0 Hamburg
- Hamburg 0-2 St Pauli
- Gladbach 0-0 Hamburg
Mainz preview: Visitors missing goalie
Mainz, on the other hand, will have to cope without their starting goalkeeper Robin Zentner, who received a straight red card against Borussia Dortmund last weekend.
Lasse Riess is expected to take his place, which would mark his first Bundesliga start since a 4-1 win over Bochum last May. Teenage defender Mazim Dal remains sidelined with a knee injury, while Anthony Caci is currently nursing a muscle problem.
Predicted lineup: Riess (GK), da Costa, Hanche-Olsen, Kohr, Widmer, Sano, Amiri, Mwene, Nebel, Lee, Sieb
Last five results:
- Omonia 0-1 Mainz
- Mainz 0-2 Borussia Dortmund
- Augsburg 1-4 Mainz
- Mainz 0-1 RB Leipzig
- Wolfsburg 1-1 Mainz
Player to watch: Rayan Philippe
IMAGO / dts Nachrichtenagentur
Forward Rayan Philippe has scored half of Hamburg's Bundesliga goals this season, but jokes aside, his last seven strikes at club level all arrived after half-time. Having scored 14 goals last season for Braunschweig, he is the man to watch.