Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Bundesliga match.
After the break for the decisive World Cup qualifiers, the Bundesliga will restart with a meeting between Mainz 05, languishing near the bottom, and Hoffenheim, who are targeting the UEFA Champions League.
Mainz 05
The teams have swapped places. Last season Mainz 05 qualified for European competition, while Hoffenheim were fighting for survival. Now this European schedule is somewhat hindering the hosts. They are performing well in the main phase of the Conference League, with three wins out of three, but in the Bundesliga they have only managed to beat equally troubled Augsburg (4:1). Moreover, they still do not have a single home win, with just one draw in five matches. They have not yet had to play Bayern Munich. Even Borussia Dortmund are beatable, but Mainz 05 failed to take their chance (0:2).
Hoffenheim
Hoffenheim do not have European competition this season, so with a calm “one match per week” schedule they have already won six of their ten league games. Moreover, the team have been even more successful away than at home. In Sinsheim they have only two wins and three defeats, whereas under the pressure of opposing fans they have four wins in five away games and just one draw, against Freiburg (1:1).
Mainz 05 vs Hoffenheim Prediction
At Hoffenheim, forward Fisnik Asllani has really come to the fore after two seasons out on loan, already scoring five goals. He also scored the winners in away matches against Sweden and Slovenia, helping Kosovo reach the play-offs. Therefore the visitors clearly have the better chance of winning, and we are backing them with Draw No Bet.
