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Schalke 04 will welcome Mainz 05 to VELTINS-Arena on Saturday in what could prove to be a key relegation clash in the Bundesliga.
The hosts currently find themselves in 13th place with just five points from a possible 15, whereas the visitors are eighth with seven points, and a victory for Mainz would significantly ease fears in the fanbase about a possible battle for survival.
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.
Schalke 04 vs Mainz 05 key stats
- Schalke have scored one or fewer goals in four of their five Bundesliga games this season.
- Both teams have scored in seven of Mainz's last 10 Bundesliga fixtures,
- Sheraldo Becker leads Mainz for Bundesliga assists this season (three).
Schalke 04 vs Mainz 05 preview: A key fight for survival?
Schalke 04 vs Mainz 05 — Tale of the Tape
| Schalke 04 | vs | Mainz 05 |
|---|---|---|
| 13th | Position | 8th |
| 5 | Points | 7 |
| 4 | Goals For | 13 |
| 6 | Goals Against | 10 |
| 2 | Clean Sheets | 2 |
| 15th | Home / Away Rank | 1st |
As a newly-promoted team, most expected that Schalke would be fighting relegation this season, so it is not surprising to see that they are only one point above the bottom three after five matchweeks.
Schalke come into the weekend on the back of a 2-1 defeat against Freiburg in the Bundesliga last weekend, and fans will believe that the club should have taken three points given they played the final 26 minutes with a player advantage.
However, boss Miron Muslic deserves credit given his side have been competitive for much of the season, with their most impressive result no doubt their goalless stalemate with Bayern Munich in early September.
With injuries to forwards Moussa Sylla and Emil Hojlund, expect to see Edin Dzeko start up front alongside Kenan Karaman and Adil Aouchiche.
Mainz are only three points from fourth-placed Bayer Leverkusen, who are set to play league-leaders Freiburg this weekend, meaning a win at VELTINS-Arena would boost hopes of a charge for Europe.
However, head coach Urs Fischer oversaw a 4-3 defeat against Leverkusen last time out, and the fact they conceded twice within the first 10 minutes will be a major concern.
The visitors' record against their hosts is not particularly strong, with the club winless in their past six clashes with Schalke, suffering losses three times in that period.
Mainz defender Dominik Kohr will play no part for the club on the pitch until at least January, meaning Stefan Posch, Fabio Gruber and Kacper Potulski may continue in central defence.
Schalke 04 vs Mainz 05 form guide & betting tips
| Schalke 04 | vs | Mainz 05 |
|---|---|---|
LDWDL |
Form | DWLWL |
| 5 | Points | 7 |
| 13th | Form Table | 8th |
| 4 | Goals For | 13 |
| 6 | Goals Against | 10 |
LDWDL |
Form (All Comps) | DWLWL |
Whispers predicts: Schalke 04 1-2 Mainz 05
Though they are playing away from home, the bookmakers have priced a Mainz win favourably at 6/5 (2.2).
Both teams have scored in seven of Mainz's last 10 Bundesliga fixtures, so it may make sense to back Both Teams to Score at 8/15 (1.53).
Schalke have scored one or fewer goals in four of their five Bundesliga games this season, making a prediction of Under 1.5 Goals for Schalke at 4/7 (1.57) a strong bet.
Sheraldo Becker has the most league assists in the Mainz squad this season, and there could be value in backing Sheraldo Becker to Assist at 10/3 (4.33).
> Both Teams to Score at 8/15 (1.53) | Likelihood: High
> Under 1.5 Goals for Schalke at 4/7 (1.57) | Likelihood: Medium
> Sheraldo Becker to Assist at 10/3 (4.33) | Likelihood: Low