Bundesliga: Mainz and Wolfsburg Both Need a Pick-Me-Up

Mainz vs VfL Wolfsburg

Mainz meet Wolfsburg at the MEWA Arena on Saturday in a game which gives both teams a chance to climb out of a rut, which is hugely important for the hosts, who are in the race for a Champions League place. For Wolfsburg, it’s a case of trying to avoid their campaign, which promised so much, from totally imploding.

So, for both Bundesliga clubs, this is a chance to stop the rot and give their fans something to cheer about, though the stakes are much higher for the hosts.

Bo Henriksen’s FSV Mainz are in fifth but without a win in four, drawing two and losing two. They fell to a 2-0 defeat away to TSG Hoffenheim last time out, a team languishing just above the drop zone.

Meanwhile, Ralph Hassenhuttl’s Wolfsburg are on an even worse run of Bundesliga 2025 results with four consecutive defeats, culminating with a 3-2 loss at home to RB Leipzig, and they have dropped to 12^th place. In the process, the Wolves’ defeat to the Bulls knocked the 05ers down a place, and now Henriksen’s men have a chance to put things right.  

 

Talking Points

Mainz looking to tighten up

Scoring goals hasn’t been a problem for Mainz this season and, for much of the campaign, their defence has been pretty solid too. But, on losing to Hoffenheim, they recorded their sixth game on the bounce without a clean sheet, conceding eight goals in the four-match winless run. Mainz had a chance to cement their top four slot when they met Borussia Dortmund recently, but they went down 3-1 at the Signal Iduna Park to allow BVB back into the European race.

Henriksen has had a few problems in his backline. Dominik Kohr picked up a red card in a draw with Freiburg, but he is back in the team, though experienced centre-back Stefan Bell is nursing a hamstring injury. Right-back Danny da Costa was a doubt for the Hoffenheim game, but he came through 90 minutes unscathed as the 2-0 defeat to TSG shone a light on Mainz’ problems.

The 05ers dominated possession and won the shot count, limiting Hoffenheim to just eight shots all game. But, while Mainz only managed one on target, keeper Robin Zentner was a busier boy, making three saves and picking the ball out of the net twice.

Henriksen is looking for improvements at both ends of the pitch. Top scorer Jonathan Burkardt has 15 goals for the campaign, but his last strike was against Freiburg four games ago, and he will be without sparring partner Paul Nebel, who has scored eight so far but will sit this game out having picked up a red card four minutes into injury time against Hoffenheim.     

 

The ship has surely sailed for Wolfsburg

After three consecutive defeats, Wolfsburg fans feared the worse when RB Leipzig visited. And, while they saw plenty of fight, they watched their team recover from a three-goal deficit to claw the score back to 3-2 and, with 17 shots and six on target, they gave it a real go. 

Mohamed Amoura, with 10 goals and seven assists, and Jonas Wind, with eight goals, have both impressed this season, but both have been quiet as Wolfsburg failed to score in their previous three games, all 1-0 defeats.

And Hassenhuttl has a lengthy injury list, with goalkeeper Niklas Klinger joined by defenders Seb Bornauw and Denis Vavro in the physio room. Midfielder Mattias Svanberg and striker Lovro Majer are also both sidelined.       

 

History

With 20 wins to 10, the Wolves have enjoyed plenty of success in the head-to-heads, and they won a seven-goal thriller when the two teams met back in December.

Both are on a bad run right now. But Mainz have been a little more solid, with two wins, two draws, and two defeats from the last six games, while the Wolves have won one, drawn one, and lost four.     

 

Betting Tip

The Bundesliga 2025 betting odds say Henriksen’s men should get back on track when they meet the Wolves on Saturday, and I’m inclined to agree.

With the hosts at SBOTOP odds of 2.02, the draw at 3.19, and Wolfsburg at 3.11, there’s a case for all three results, but I’m sticking with the 05ers who have plenty to play for, while Wolfsburg must be nearly ready to pack their bags and head for the beach.

   

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