The Matchday 6 group-stage fixture of the 2025/26 Conference League between Mainz (Germany) and Samsunspor (Turkey) will take place on December 18 at Meva Arena. Mainz vs Samsunspor: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Mainz
In the last round Urs Fischer's side drew 1-1 with Lech on the road. As a result, Mainz — who began the group stage with three consecutive wins — failed to win for the second match in the Conference League, having previously lost to Universitatea Craiova (0-1). Additionally, in four of their last five European fixtures the team scored no more than one goal. The Germans sit eighth in the group with ten points and have already secured a place in the playoffs; a win would send them straight into the round of 16.
- The team has avoided defeat in 7 of their last 9 European matches (5 wins, 2 draws).
- No more than two goals were scored in 4 of the club's last 5 Conference League games.
- Mainz conceded a maximum of one goal in each of their last six matches in this competition.
Predicted lineup for Mainz (3-4-3)*
Daniel Batz – Danny da Costa, Andreas Hanche-Olsen, Dominik Kohr – Nicolas Ferachnig, Kaysu Sano, Lee Jae-sung, Silvan Widmer – Paul Nebel, Nelson Weiper, Benedikt Hollerbach.
Goalkeeper Robin Zentner, defenders Philipp Mwene and Antoni Kaci, and midfielder Sota Kawasaki will miss the match through injury. Defender Nicolas Ferachnig is suspended.
Samsunspor
The Turks failed to collect points in their last home game, losing 1-2 to AEK Athens. That was Samsunspor's first defeat in the group stage after three wins and a draw in their previous four Conference League matches. The side conceded twice for the second straight game in this competition, having kept clean sheets in their first three group matches. Samsunspor have ten points and sit sixth in the standings; their place in the playoffs is secure, and a victory against Mainz would send them straight into the round of 16.
- The team is unbeaten in 5 of their last 6 European fixtures (3 wins, 2 draws).
- At least three goals were scored in four of the club's previous Conference League matches.
- The Turks scored in the first half in each of their last five matches in this competition.
Predicted lineup for Samsunspor (4-5-1)*
Okan Kocuk – Logi Tomasson, Rick van Drongelen, Lubomir Satka, Zeki Yavru – Antoine Makoumbu, Anthony Musaba, Carlo Holse, Olivier Ntcham, Emre Kilinc – Marius.
Midfielder Afonso Sousa and striker Sherif Ndiaye are sidelined with injuries. Midfielder Jelil Yuksel is suspended.
Referee
Mohammad Al-Emara (Albania)
Matches – 6 (International fixtures, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 23;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.8;
Red cards shown – 0;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 50%.
Mainz vs Samsunspor: Match Prediction
Given that both sides have been productive in European competition, I'm inclined to expect an open game with chances at both ends. Mainz have failed to score in only two of their last 17 European matches, and both of those were away. In this season's Conference League the Germans have scored seven goals across three home games.
Samsunspor have already netted ten goals in the group stage, a tally matched only by a few clubs. The Turks hit three against Dynamo Kyiv and Hamrun, scored twice versus Breidablik, and found the net once against Legia and AEK Athens. However, their defensive form has been shaky of late, conceding four goals in the last two rounds.
I expect both teams to find the net in this match. My prediction: Both teams to score – Yes
*Each team's listed starting XI reflects their most recent match in this competition.
