Mainz 05 vs FC Koln
Germany – Bundesliga
Date: Friday, 25 October 2019
Kick-off at 19:30 UK / 20:30 CET
Venue: Opel Arena (Mainz).
TEAM NEWS
MAINZ
Mainz went into their third defeat in four games at Fortuna Dusseldorf on Saturday, leaving them second from bottom in the table.
Edimilson midfielder Fernandes is suspended after his dismissal in Dusseldorf and likely successor, Danny Latza, breastfeeding knee injury so Ridle Baku will start.
Liverpool loanee Taiwo Awoniyi handed his first start against Dusseldorf but after being taken off at half-time, it seems unlikely he will retain his position.
Predicted line-up (4-4-2): Zentner; Brosinski, St. Juste, Niakhate, Aaron Martin; Oztunali, Malong, Baku, Boetius; Quaison, Onisiwo
Not available: Bell (Injured), Mateta (Hurt), Seydel (Hurt), Ji Dong-Wong (Hurt), Fernandes (Suspended)
Doubtful: Muller (Disease), Latza (Injury)
KOLN
Koln have shown improvement in their last two games and moved out of the bottom three with a 3-0 major victory fellow promoted Paderborn last Sunday.
Coach Achim defender Jorge Mere Beierlorzer welcome back from suspension but he may have to settle for a place on the bench after a standout performance from Sebastiaan Bornauw against Paderborn.
Winger Florian Kainz came with a knock in that game, but expected to be fit for this one, but Birger Verstraete and Matthias Bader remains doubtful.
Predicted line-up (4-2-3-1): Horn; Ehizibue, Czichos, Bornauw, Katterbach; Skhiri, Hector; Schindler, Schaub, Kainz; Terrode
Not available: Clemens (Injured), Sobiech (Injury)
Doubtful: Verstraete (Injured), Drexler (Hurt), Bader (Hurt), Kainz (Injured)
Match Facts
There are more than 2.5 goals in 11 of 13 games this past FC Koeln (Bundesliga).
Mainz have seen under 2.5 goals in nine of their last 11 games against FC Koeln in all competitions.
Mainz vs FC Koln Predictions
Despite pulling off a 2-1 win over Paderborn previous week, the hosts returned to lose their way in a final clash against Dusseldorf. male Sandro Schwarz failed to make much impact in the final gear and managed to not more than one measly shot on target throughout the ninety minutes.
The home side were also reduced to ten men at rest, which further reduces their chances of a comeback possible. FC Koln has not been faring better in the Bundesliga. Achim Beierlorzer men have only one victory to boast of their last five games and have accumulated no more than four points from a possible fifteen.
In addition, the newly promoted side have come out on top only on one occasion in their previous four outings and winless in their last two as well.
On the other hand, Mainz has been on the losing end in two of their previous three games here. However, for their defense, both of those defeats came against teams currently in the top two, unlike FC Koln.
It is also worth mentioning that the hosts are unbeaten in their last two head to head meetings in this place. However, given that the visitors salvaged a point in their most recent outing, the safest punt on this one is undoubtedly the double chance.
In addition, regardless of the outcome, the away side had found the back of the net in four of their last five trips on the road in all competitions. Taking into account that Mainz has so far failed to keep a clean sheet at home as well, relying on both teams to have their name scored in the last blast of the whistle.
Mainz vs FC Koln Betting tips
A double opportunity: draw or Mainz 05 @ 1.40 (2/5)
Both teams scored @ 1.50 (1/2).
