Bundesliga: Mainz are a Big Test for Upwardly Mobile Foals

Borussia Monchengladbach vs Mainz

Borussia Park is the placed to be on Sunday for a cracking Bundesliga clash between sixth and seventh, as Borussia Monchengladbach welcome FSV Mainz in the fifth game of the campaign.

With eight points, Die Fohlen are just one clear of their opponents and a win could easily take either team into the top four. And the hosts come into the game on the back of an impressive draw away to FC Bayern, while Mainz are hoping to erase the memory of a drubbing on their home soil at the hands of Bayer Leverkusen.

This promises to be a tight game between the hosts, who finished tenth last term and two places below Mainz, and they couldn’t be separated in either of their two league meetings last season.    

Talking Points

Borussia aiming for a return to Europe

The Bundesliga 2022 betting odds place Die Fohlen as fifth favourites to win the title behind the big four of Bayern, Red Bull, BVB and Bayer Leverkusen, and that’s a position their fans will be delighted to be in following a fallow period. Former Norwich City head coach Daniel Farke has led Die Fohlen to a fast start after disappointing mid table finishes over the past two campaigns and, while it could be a honeymoon period for the new boss, the manner of their performances has been undeniably impressive.

Die Fohlen kicked off the campaign with a 3-1 victory over highly rated TSG Hoffenheim who have gone on to win the next three and sit in fourth. A second home win over Hertha Berlin and a draw away to Schalke were both good results, but Die Fohlen’s draw away to FC Bayern last week was the pick of the lot. Keeper Yann Sommer was the hero of the night as he set a new Bundesliga record by making an astonishing 19 saves to keep the Bavarians at bay, and spoil their perfect start to their title defence. With three goals in the bag Marcus Thuram is leading Borussia’s attack and it even looked like his 43^rd minute strike would give the underdogs all three points until Leroy Sane levelled for Bayern with just seven minutes remaining.

Captain Lars Stindl has been out with a thigh injury and is doubtful for this game so the experienced French forward Alassane Plea will continue in the hope of adding to his two assists and one goal, while midfield general Jonas Hofmann remains a key figure at both ends of the pitch.

Mainz’ happy travels

Mainz  have only picked up one point at home, a goalless draw with Union Berlin, and last week they were thumped 0-3 at home to Bayer Leverkusen despite their opponents finishing the game with nine men. But on the road it has been a different story with two 2-1 victories, against Bochum and Augsburg, landing them six very useful points. Head coach Bo Svensson wants to see his team’s home form pick up but as far as the away Bundesliga 2022 results go, it will be more of the same on the agenda for Die Nulfunfer.

Austrian forward Karim Onisiwo has been the biggest goal threat, with three so far, and he will play alongside the highly promising Jonathan Burkhardt, while commanding centre back Maxim Leitch will have a busy afternoon against the Gladbach attack.    

History

In the 41 encounters between these two teams this century, Borussia Monchengladbach have had more success with 17 victories to Mainz’ 12 and there have been 12 draws.

Last season both games ended in a 1-1 draw: the most recent, an April meeting at Borussia Park, was an end to end affair with 17 shots on target, seven for Borussia and ten for Mainz. Breel Embolo gave the hosts a first half lead before Onisiwo levelled for the visitors.

In terms of recent form Die Fohlen have the edge having won three and drawn three of the last six games, while Mainz have won three, drawn two and lost one.

And Gladbach are unbeaten in 12 matches in all competitions.

Betting Tip

With Borussia at odds of 2.18 and Mainz at 3.06 this is a wide open game; and the draw, at a SBOTOP price of 3.20, will attract a lot of interest among neutrals. It’s a tough test for the hosts but I think they will end the day with their unbeaten run intact.

And, for an outside bet, how about a third successive 1-1 scoreline at odds of 5.80? I suspect that won’t be far off the mark.

 

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