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IUnion Berlin are on the hunt for a historic win as trailblazing head coach Marie-Louise Eta continues her search for a maiden victory away at Mainz 05 this Sunday night.
Die Eisernen secured their Bundesliga status last weekend with a draw at Koln, but with two games remaining, Eta is now setting her sights on a momentous career victory.
Mainz, on the other hand, will be looking to cap off a thrilling campaign with a positive result in their final home game of the season.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Mainz 05 vs. Union Berlin key stats
- Mainz have won seven of their 15 league games when scoring the opener this season.
- Only two other clubs in the Bundesliga have conceded more goals after the 75th minute than Mainz (18).
- Union conceded in 11 of their last 12 halves of football.
Mainz 05 vs. Union Berlin preview: Die Eisernen push for historic win
Mainz 05 vs Union Berlin — Tale of the Tape
| Mainz 05 | vs | Union Berlin |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | Position | 13th |
| 37 | Points | 33 |
| 41 | Goals For | 37 |
| 50 | Goals Against | 57 |
| 3 | Clean Sheets | 6 |
| 15th/7th | Home / Away Rank | 13th/13th |
Mainz approach their final two games of the season without much pressure given they are already safe from relegation, yet too far away to challenge for European football.
Despite this, Sunday’s game is expected to be an emotional one for Mainz head coach Urs Fischer, who managed Union Berlin for several years, taking them to the Bundesliga and even leading them to Champions League football.
Speaking to the media before the weekend, Fischer admitted that he refuses to “hand out gifts” and wants his players focused on earning six points from the final two games of the season.
Die Nulfunfer have momentum heading into Sunday’s fixture after picking up a 2-1 win over St Pauli last weekend – a result which ended their four-match winless run.
Next job for Mainz will be to earn their first away victory in the Bundesliga in almost two months.
Fischer will be looking to land that win without the aid of Silas (broken leg), Maxim Leitsch (thigh), Maxim Dal (knee) and Benedict Hollerbach (Achilles), who are all on the sidelines.
Union Berlin are also dealing with a couple of injury problems, mainly in the goalkeeping department.
Die Eisernen are without the injured duo of Frederik Ronnow and Matheo Raab, meaning third-choice keeper Carl Klaus will get another opportunity to impress.
Union have struggled with defensive issues throughout the season, though the past six games have been particularly poor after shipping 15 goals.
Two of those goals came in their 2-2 draw against FC Koln last weekend – a result which earned head coach Eta her first point.
The interim boss made history by becoming the first female head coach in Europe’s top five leagues, but she is now aiming to break another barrier by winning her first game.
Having already secured Bundesliga survival, the pressure is off Eta’s shoulders in the final two games of the season.
Mainz 05 vs. Union Berlin form guide & betting tips
| Mainz 05 | vs | Union Berlin |
|---|---|---|
| W-L-D-L-W | Form | D-L-L-L-D |
| 7 | Points | 2 |
| 7th | Form Table | 17th |
| 8 | Goals For | 6 |
| 8 | Goals Against | 11 |
| L-L-D-L-W | Form (All Competitions) | D-L-L-L-D |
Whispers predicts: Mainz 05 1-1 Union Berlin
Mainz have the fourth worst home record in the Bundesliga and overcoming that against Union Berlin will be a challenge.
Backing both teams to score is the way to go given both Mainz and Union have been strong in front of goal. This bet is available at 7/10 with most bookmakers.
There is also value to be found in the outright section if you back the draw. Available at 3/1, this bet has landed in three of previous four meetings.
To find even more value, you could back the 1-1 draw in the correct score market at 13/2. This bet has also landed in two of previous four meetings.
> Both teams to score at 7/10 | Likelihood: Probable
> Match result draw at 3/1 | Likelihood: Probable
> Correct score Mainz 1-1 Union Berlin at 13/2 | Likelihood: Outsider