The Matchday 1 clash in the Bundesliga between Mainz and Köln will take place on August 24 at the Mewa Arena. Mainz vs. Köln: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Mainz
Last season, the team finished sixth with 52 points. Mainz has not achieved a higher final position 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, with 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 category. During the off-season, the team played five friendly matches without a single loss (4 wins, 1 draw).
In the current transfer window, the club strengthened its lineup with forward Benedict Hollerbach. At the same time, forward Jonathan Burkardt left the team.
- The club has drawn in its last five home matches in the Bundesliga.
- Both teams scored in the last five home encounters in the league.
- Mainz scored exactly 1 or 2 goals in its last six home games in the Bundesliga.
Predicted lineup for Mainz (3-4-3)
Robin Zentner – Danny da Costa, Stefan Bell, Dominik Kohr – Anthony Caci, Nadiem Amiri, Kaisu Sano, Philipp Mwene – Paul Nebel, Benedict Hollerbach, Lee Jae-sung.
Köln
Last season, the team played in the second Bundesliga and finished first with 61 points, earning promotion. However, towards the end of the season, Köln did not excel in defense, managing only one clean sheet in the last nine rounds. The club's goal-scoring was also low, ranking tenth in the second Bundesliga with 53 goals. During the off-season, Köln played five friendly matches without a single defeat (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 included defender Max Finkgrafe and forward Damion Downs. Additionally, the team will be under the guidance of new head coach Lukas Kwasniok.
- The team has not won in its last ten away matches in the Bundesliga (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 Köln's last 10 away Bundesliga matches.
Predicted lineup for Köln (3-4-3)
Marvin Schwäbe – Joel Schmid, Timo Hübers, Tom Kraus – Sebastian Sebulonsen, Eric Martel, Isak Johannesson, Kristoffer Lund Hansen – Jakub Kaminski, 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%.
Mainz vs. Köln: Match Prediction
At home, Mainz often prefers to play cautiously and avoid unnecessary risks. This style of play prevents opponents from creating many scoring chances, resulting in few goals conceded by the hosts. In the last 13 home matches in the Bundesliga, Mainz conceded more than one goal only three times, and in five instances, they kept a clean sheet.
Köln, even in the second division, was not effective in attack, and previously in the Bundesliga, they rarely breached the opposition's defense more than once. In the last 17 away matches in Germany's top flight, the team scored more than one goal only once, and in six games during this period, they failed to score at all. Additionally, in the last seven head-to-head encounters at Mainz's ground in the Bundesliga, Köln scored only four goals in total.
I expect a solid defensive performance from the hosts, so my prediction: Köln individual total under 1
