Mainz 05 vs Freiburg: Prediction, Team News, Lineups Preview
Mainz host Freiburg at the MEWA Arena after both clubs enjoyed positive European nights. Mainz seek another home win to strengthen their Bundesliga safety bid. Freiburg travel buoyed by a big Europa League result but struggle for away form in the league.
Match context
Urs Fischer has overseen a clear turnaround at Mainz since arriving in December. The side are on a five-game winning run across competitions.
Mainz have not lost since the 4-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund on February 13. That streak now stretches to nine matches.
On Thursday Mainz won 2-0 away to Strasbourg in the Conference League quarter-final first leg. It is the club’s first appearance at this European stage.
Recent Bundesliga wins include a 2-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt on March 22. They also beat Hoffenheim 2-1 on April 4.
Mainz sit ninth in the table. They are eight points clear of St Pauli in the relegation playoff spot with six games remaining in 2025-26.
Fischer wants concrete safety. A fourth successive home win would lengthen Mainz’s unbeaten run at the MEWA Arena to 11 games.
Freiburg status
Julian Schuster’s Freiburg are competing on two fronts. They lost 3-2 to Bayern Munich in their most recent Bundesliga fixture.
Freiburg had led 2-0 through Johan Manzambi and Lucas Holer. A late brace from Tom Bischof and a 99th-minute winner from Lennart Karl turned the result.
That defeat was Freiburg’s third in five league matches. They occupy eighth place with 37 points.
Freiburg sit 12 points behind sixth-placed Bayer Leverkusen. However, they travel after a 3-0 Europa League quarter-final first-leg win over Celta Vigo.
A Europa League title could offer a Champions League route. Domestically, their recent away league form is poor. In the last six league trips they lost four, drew one and won once.
Team news
Mainz face a long injury list. Several defensive starters are sidelined or doubtful.
- Maxim Dal (knee) out.
- Andreas Hanche-Olsen (muscle) out.
- Maxim Leitsch (muscle) out.
- Stefan Bell (knee) is a doubt.
- Kasey Bos (shoulder) out.
- Anthony Caci (hamstring) out.
- Robin Zentner (groin) recovering.
- Jae-sung Lee suffered a broken toe this week.
- Nadiem Amiri (heel) is doubtful.
- Benedict Hollerbach (Achilles) out for season.
- Silas (broken leg) out for season.
Fischer may deploy a back three with Daniel Batz in goal. Key midfielders Kaishu Sano, Paul Nebel and Sota Kawasaki look likely to start.
Freiburg have fewer absentees but are still affected. Daniel-Kofi Kyereh (knee) and Patrick Osterhage (knee) are sidelined.
- Maximilian Eggestein and Johan Manzambi are expected in midfield.
- Max Rosenfelder is returning from a thigh problem.
- Matthias Ginter should pair with Philipp Lienhart at centre-back.
Mainz 05 possible starting XI
- Daniel Batz
- Danny da Costa, Stefan Posch, Dominik Kohr
- Silvan Widmer, Paul Nebel, Kaishu Sano, Sota Kawasaki, Phillipp Mwene
- Phillip Tietz, Sheraldo Becker
Freiburg possible starting XI
- Atubolu
- Treu, Matthias Ginter, Philipp Lienhart, Gunter
- Maximilian Eggestein, Johan Manzambi
- Beste, Yuito Suzuki, Vincenzo Grifo
- Matanovic
Mainz 05 vs Freiburg: Prediction, Team News, Lineups Preview
Filmogaz.com expects a tight contest at the MEWA Arena. Mainz carry momentum from recent wins and European progress.
Freiburg can threaten on the break and travel buoyed by a 3-0 continental win. Their away league form remains a concern.
On balance, home advantage and Mainz’s current run tip the scales. Our scoreline prediction is 2-1 to Mainz.
