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Following their midweek exits from the DFB-Pokal, SV Elversberg and Mainz turn their attention back to the Bundesliga on Friday night, when the newly promoted hosts welcome the 05ers to the Ursapharm-Arena.
The Black and White head into their eighth league fixture of the season sitting eighth in the table with 10 points, level with their upcoming opponents, who occupy seventh place thanks to a superior goal difference.
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.
SV Elversberg vs. Mainz key stats
- Elversberg have won two of their three Bundesliga home matches, scoring eight goals in the process.
- However, Vincent Wagner's side have failed to score in three of their last five Bundesliga fixtures.
- Mainz have scored 11 goals across their last five Bundesliga matches but have also conceded 13.
- The 05ers have conceded four penalties this season, the most of any side in the German top flight.
- Despite boasting the Bundesliga's best away record, Mainz have collected fewer points at home than all but one other side.
SV Elversberg vs. Mainz preview: Can either side find the cutting edge to break into the top five?
SV Elversberg vs. Mainz — Tale of the Tape
| SV Elversberg | vs | Mainz |
|---|---|---|
| 8th | Position | 7th |
| 10 | Points | 10 |
| 12 | Goals For | 16 |
| 15 | Goals Against | 13 |
| 0 | Clean Sheets | 1 |
| 10th / 8th | Home / Away Rank | 17th / 1st |
The end of the 2025-26 season was a historic one for Elversberg, who secured promotion to the Bundesliga for the first time and became the smallest town, with a population of around 13,000, to be represented in Germany's top flight.
Their first match at the highest level in German football saw them welcome top-four hopefuls Bayer Leverkusen to the Ursapharm-Arena.
Despite entering the contest as underdogs, Elversberg made a dream start to life in the Bundesliga, beating the established giants 3-2.
Goals from Lukas Petkov and Cole Campbell put Vincent Wagner's side two ahead inside the opening nine minutes, before David Mokwa struck less than 60 seconds into the second half to extend their advantage.
Late goals made for a nervy finish, but the Saarland outfit held on to secure a memorable victory.
Elversberg have collected a further seven points, including chaotic 4-3 wins over Borussia Monchengladbach and Augsburg, demonstrating their ability to compete at this level and raising hopes that another positive result on Friday could bring them closer to the European places.
Elversberg return to Bundesliga action after a 2-0 midweek DFB-Pokal defeat to second-tier Darmstadt, but can take confidence from having lost just once at home in the league this season, against Bayern Munich, when 2026 Ballon D'or winner Harry Kane scored a late winner.
As for Mainz, they travel to the Ursapharm-Arena for their first-ever league meeting with Elversberg looking to bounce back from a disappointing run of results, having followed last weekend's defeat to Werder Bremen with a midweek DFB-Pokal loss away to second-tier Bochum.
Despite winning just two of their last six matches in all competitions, Urs Fischer's side can break into the Bundesliga's top five with a win on Friday, having already moved one place above Elversberg on goal difference.
While the 05ers have made a promising start to the campaign, their contrasting home and away records remain a concern.
Mainz head south boasting the Bundesliga's best away record, but their second-worst home return could prove costly in their bid to secure European qualification.
If the side from Rhineland-Palatinate are to secure their first European qualification since the 2010-11 season, they will need to improve their home form.
However, they must wait until next week, when Bayern Munich visit, for their next opportunity to put that record right.
SV Elversberg vs. Mainz form guide & betting tips
| SV Elversberg | vs | Mainz |
|---|---|---|
LDLWL |
Form | LWLWL |
| 4 | Points | 6 |
| 11th | Form Table | 7th |
| 5 | Goals For | 11 |
| 10 | Goals Against | 11 |
DLWLL |
Form (All Comps) | WLWLL |
Whispers predicts: SV Elversberg 2-2 Mainz
With both sides level on points after seven league matches, a closely contested encounter looks likely, and we are backing the spoils to be shared on Friday night.
A draw is currently priced at 11/4, while our exact-score prediction of 2-2 is available at 11/1.
Phillip Tietz has scored five goals in seven Bundesliga appearances this season and will be eager to add to his tally against Elversberg. The Mainz forward is priced at 7/5 to score at any time.
Over 2.5 goals is available at 1/2, while Both Teams to Score – Yes is priced at 4/9, reflecting the potential for an entertaining contest between two sides who have shown attacking promise but also defensive vulnerabilities.
> Draw at 11/4 | Likelihood: Probable
> Over 2.5 goals at 1/2 | Likelihood: Probable
> Both Teams to Score at 4/9 | Likelihood: Probable
> Phillip Tietz to score anytime at 7/5 | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score of 2-2 at 11/1 | Likelihood: Outsider