The Matchday 1 clash in the Bundesliga between Mainz and Cologne will take place on August 24 at the Mewa Arena. Mainz vs. Cologne: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Mainz
Last season, the team finished sixth with 52 points. Mainz hasn't finished higher in the Bundesliga since the 2011/12 season and will play in European competitions for the first time in nine years. However, the end of last season was not the best for the club: only one win in the last nine rounds (5 draws, 3 losses). Notably, Mainz conceded only 43 goals in the previous Bundesliga season, ranking third in this statistic. During the off-season, the team played five friendly matches, remaining unbeaten (4 wins, 1 draw).
In the current transfer window, forward Benedikt Hollerbach strengthened the squad. Meanwhile, forward Jonathan Burkardt left the team.
- The club has drawn in their last five home matches in the Bundesliga.
- Both teams scored in the last five home matches in the league.
- Mainz scored exactly 1 or 2 goals in their last six home Bundesliga games.
Predicted lineup for Mainz (3-4-3)
Robin Zentner – Danny da Costa, Stefan Bell, Dominik Kohr – Anthony Caci, Nadiem Amiri, Kaishu Sano, Philipp Mwene – Paul Nebel, Benedikt Hollerbach, Lee Jae-sung.
Cologne
Last season, the team played in the second Bundesliga and finished first with 61 points, earning promotion. Towards the end of the season, Cologne did not excel in defense, keeping only one clean sheet in the last nine rounds. The club's scoring was also low, ranking tenth in goals scored (53) in the previous second Bundesliga season. In the off-season, Cologne played five friendly matches, remaining unbeaten (4 wins, 1 draw).
In the summer, defenders Sebastian Sebulonsen and Rav van den Berg, midfielder Isak Johannesson, and forwards Ragnar Ache and Marius Bülter joined the club. Departures include defender Max Finkgräfe and forward Damion Downs. Additionally, the team will be led by new head coach Lukas Kwasniok.
- The team hasn't won in their last ten away Bundesliga matches (6 draws, 4 losses).
- Both teams scored in 7 of the last 8 away matches in this tournament.
- Exactly two goals were scored in 8 of Cologne's last 10 away Bundesliga matches.
Predicted lineup for Cologne (3-4-3)
Marvin Schwäbe – Joel Schmid, Timo Hübers, Tom Kraus – Sebastian Sebulonsen, Eric Martel, Isak Johannesson, Kristoffer Lund Hansen – Jakub Kamiński, Marius Bülter, Jan Thielmann.
Forward Malek El Mala will not play due to suspension.
Referee
Tobias Stieler (Germany)
Matches – 15 (Bundesliga, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 53;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.5;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 20;
Penalties – 33%.
Match Prediction: Mainz vs. Cologne
At home, Mainz often prefers to play cautiously and avoid unnecessary risks. This style of play limits opponents' scoring opportunities, resulting in few goals conceded. In their last 13 home Bundesliga matches, the team conceded more than one goal only three times, and in five instances, Mainz kept a clean sheet.
Cologne, even in the second division, did not excel in attack, and in the Bundesliga, they rarely breached opponents' defenses more than once. In their last 17 away matches in the German top flight, the team surpassed one goal only once, and in six of those games, they failed to score at all. Additionally, in the last seven head-to-head encounters at Mainz in the Bundesliga, Cologne scored only four goals in total.
I expect a solid defensive performance from the hosts, so my prediction: Cologne Individual Total Under 1
