Will the Swabians continue their series against the zero-fivers?

With only one of nine possible points from the first three games and 2:9 goals, 1. FSV Mainz 05 spent the international break in a direct relegation spot. At least in the home match against Frankfurt (1:1), however, the Nullfünfer scored, who are now hoping for a turnaround in their own stadium. After all, the Swabians have only won two of their last 28 Bundesliga away games (eleven draws, 15 defeats), which is why there is definitely a certain risk involved in betting on the visitors in Mainz vs. VfB Stuttgart.

However, the Swabians’ start to the season has been much more convincing so far. VfB won both home games in the Bundesliga with 5:0 and was only defeated away at RB Leipzig (1:5). In addition, not a single one of the last six Bundesliga games against the Nullfünfer has been lost (four wins, two draws). The forecast for Mainz against VfB Stuttgart is correspondingly interesting, with the Baden-Württemberger now also looking to turn the tables away from home.

Since Sebastian Hoeneß took over the five-time German champions in the final spurt of the 2022/23 season, a fresh wind has been blowing in the Baden-Württemberg capital anyway. In all 13 league games under the 41-year-old, VfB Stuttgart has scored at least one goal of its own (33 goals in total). Among other things, the Swabians celebrated a 4:1 away win at the Nullfünfer back on the 33rd matchday of the past season.

With a view to Mainz’s unsuccessful start to the season, it is thus quite conceivable to risk the underdog bet in this southwestern German duel.

Mainz – statistics & current form

The 1. FSV Mainz 05 finished the 2022/23 season in a respectable ninth place in the table, but then had to let go once again some key players in the summer. There were some promising new arrivals on the books.

Once again, however, Bo Svensson is faced with the difficult task of turning a team that feels a little weaker in terms of quality into a powerful force again, which takes time.

None of the last eight Bundesliga games won more

After a defeat could still be averted in the 1-0 away win in Elversberg in the 1st round of the DFB Cup, however, the slide from the end of the 2022/23 season then continued in the new season in the Bundesliga.

For a season-spanning eight league games, the Rheinhessen have now not won (two draws, six defeats). With only one of nine possible points from the first three games of the still young season, a direct relegation place is currently on record, also due to the nine goals conceded already.

Recently a 0:4 in the basement duel at Werder Bremen

Lately, even the direct duel with SV Werder Bremen was lost with 0:4, although the team from the Weser at that time still had zero points on the account and had to let go goal scorer Niclas Füllkrug in the last second.

Bo Svensson had some time to get new automatisms into the team due to the international break. Against the Swabians, who are currently more conspicuous in all areas, it will nevertheless be a very difficult task, which is why betting on an away win for the Baden-Württemberger in Mainz against VfB Stuttgart is very interesting.

Predicted lineup of Mainz:

Mainz 05 (Expected lineup) 3-4-2-1

VfB Stuttgart – statistics & current form

For VfB Stuttgart ended an absolute rumble season in the end yet with the class preservation. On the home stretch of the season was installed with Sebastian Hoeneß still the fourth different coach, under which then actually the turnaround succeeded.

The 41-year-old was unable to prevent the team from going into relegation. There, however, the Swabians kept the upper hand against Hamburger SV, before a subsequent upheaval took place in the summer.

Six out of nine possible points at the start of the season

Although key players such as Wataru Endo, Borna Sosa and Konstantinos Mavpropanos are now gone, a team has come together remarkably early in the season that could potentially enjoy a much smoother season than last year.

Not only have the first two wins and the associated six points already been claimed, but both home victories against Bochum and Freiburg were also brilliant 5:0 wins. In between, there was also the 1:5 in Leipzig. Overall, however, the form curve is clearly pointing upwards rather than downwards.

Won only two of the last 28 Bundesliga away games

Despite this, the odds are comparatively even for Mainz against VfB Stuttgart, although the Swabians have already picked up five more points than the Rheinhessen side and, moreover, have not lost any of their last six Bundesliga games against the zero-fivers (four wins, two draws).

Ultimately, of course, the Baden-Württemberger’s recent weakness away from home is responsible for this, as they have won only two of their last 28 Bundesliga away games on foreign grounds (eleven draws, 15 defeats). But: one of those two victories was an away win in Mainz, where the score was 4:1 for the Swabians on May 21, 2023.

Predicted lineup of VfB Stuttgart:

VfB Stuttgart (Expected lineup) 4-2-3-1

Mainz – VfB Stuttgart Direct comparison / H2H balance

Head to head: 12 – 8 – 14

There have been a total of 34 meetings between the two teams so far and VfB Stuttgart leads the direct comparison with 14 wins. The Swabians already picked up four of a possible six points against the Nullfünfer last season and are unbeaten against the Rheinhessen side for a total of six Bundesliga games (four wins, two draws).

Mainz – VfB Stuttgart tip

Overall, there are balanced betting odds available on Mainz vs VfB Stuttgart, with the home side given a very slight favorite role. However, the Swabians have just celebrated a convincing 4:1 away victory at the Mewa Arena at the end of the 2022/23 season. The fact that that was one of only two away wins for the Baden-Württemberger among the last 28 Bundesliga away games (eleven draws, 15 defeats) should not be overstated.

After all, a fresh wind has been blowing at VfB since Sebastian Hoeneß took over as coach. The Swabians have scored in all 13 league games under the 41-year-old (33 goals in total). The forecast for another away win for the Baden-Württemberger in Mainz against VfB Stuttgart is correspondingly interesting.