Mainz 05 will hope to leapfrog Borussia Monchengladbach on Friday when they host them at Mewa Arena in their eighth Bundesliga match of the season.
The home side are in 12th place with eight points and lost 2-0 last time out against RB Leipzig on October 19, while the visitors are in 11th place with nine points after seven games and beat FC Heidenheim 3-2 last Saturday.
Match preview
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Friday's hosts were comfortably beaten by Leipzig, and while Mainz had 17 shots compared to Die Roten Bullen's 11, they created no big chances but conceded four themselves.
In fact, the O-Fives have generated just 13 big chances so far in the Bundesliga, the third fewest of the 18 teams in the division.
Manager Bo Henriksen admitted that his side deservedly lost, but added he was happy with how his players used the ball in the first half and also praised their defensive display despite the defeat.
Henriksen's team have scored 11 times and conceded 12 goals in the top flight, and this makes them the league's 11th best offensive and eighth-best defensive side.
Mainz have won two of their last four games, losing the other two matches, but they have also lost three, drawn two and won two of their seven most recent games.
The home side have lost three and drawn one of their four matches at Mewa Arena in the Bundesliga this season, failing to score in their last two, although they did end last season having won five and drawn two of their final seven home league fixtures.
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Meanwhile, Borussia Monchengladbach had to come from behind in their clash against Heidenheim after conceding in the 12th minute, but they led 3-1 by the 75th minute and held on for all three points.
Die Fohlen proved to be a significant threat from open play considering they created nearly three non-penalty xG, though they did concede several chances from open play themselves.
Boss Gerardo Seoane was pleased with his team's showing, though he was concerned that his side conceded from their opponents' first real opportunity.
Borussia Monchengladbach have won two of their last three games, but they have lost three of their six most recent matches.
The visitors have also lost their last two away games in the Bundesliga, and have in fact only won three of their last 28 fixtures on the road in the top flight, drawing 10 times and losing on 15 occasions in that period.
Team News
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Mainz will be without centre-back Dominik Kohr and striker Nelson Weiper until the middle of next month, while defender Andreas Hanche-Olsen is not scheduled to return until late November.
Wing-back Nikolas Veratschnig is also a doubt for Friday's game, so expect Philipp Mwene and Anthony Caci to start either side of centre-backs Danny da Costa, Moritz Jenz and Maxim Leitsch.
Kaishu Sano and Nadiem Amiri may start as a double pivot behind attackers Armindo Sieb, Jae-sung Lee and Jonathan Burkardt.
The visitors have several absentees, including midfielder Yvandro Borges Sanches until December, and goalkeeper Jan Olschowsky until early November due to knee injuries.
Luca Netz, Jonas Omlin, Nico Elvedi and Simon Walde are likely to be out of action until the middle of next month, while Nathan N'Goumou is scheduled to return in early November.
Borussia Monchengladbach could start Marvin Friedrich and Ko Itakura as centre-backs, with Rocco Reitz and Julian Weigl candidates to feature in midfield.
Mainz 05 possible starting lineup:
Zentner; Da Costa, Jenz, Leitsch; Caci, Sano, Amiri, Mwene; Sieb, Lee; Burkardt
Borussia Monchengladbach possible starting lineup:
Nicolas; Lainer, Friedrich, Itakura, Scally; Reitz, Weigl; Honorat, Plea, Hack; Kleindienst
We say: Mainz 05 2-1 Borussia Monchengladbach
Given the poor away record of Borussia Monchengladbach, it is difficult to see how the visitors can secure a positive result on Friday.
However, Mainz have been inconsistent at home, and if they win it is likely to be a close affair.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
