Mainz vs Schalke Prediction & Match Preview

Mainz vs FC Schalke: German Bundesliga
Date: Sunday, 16 February 2020, Kick-off at 17:00 UK / 18:00 CET
Venue: Opel Arena (Mainz)

The Royal Blues will be desperate for win when they arrive at Opel Arena to face relegation threatened FSV Mainz in Sunday’s Bundesliga clash.

Mainz vs FC Schalke: Match Preview

With his second hat-trick of the season, Robin Quaison led Mainz 05 to a well-deserved and honestly, overdue 3-1 win away against turbulent Hertha BSC on last Saturday afternoon.

It was long time coming but it’s finally here, as the 05ers exploited behind the scenes drama at Berlin’s Old Lady and after four consecutive defeats eventually got their seventh win of the season, raising the advantage over Fortuna, first team below the line, to four points; their fight is far from over but the cushion is now there and Mainz can approach incoming battles in a more relaxed manner.

With just three victories and seven defeats at home, Achim Beierlorzer’s men are among the most generous hosts in the Bundesliga; their gung ho approach is more often miss than hit and Mainz would be wise to consider a change in approach, especially following latest four consecutive losses at Opel Arena.

Another day, another sad afternoon of football in Gelsenkirchen as FC Schalke 04 drew 1-1 at home to bottom-of-the-table SC Paderborn on last Saturday.

It was third game in a row for the Miners without a win, as David Wagner’s men continue to struggle in 2020; being demolished by Bayern, while truly shameful, it is not exactly surprising but failing to beat two sides from the lower end is just unforgivable, it’s really a wonder how Schalke remained in the run for CL football, being 6th in the league and just four points off Mönchengladbach at fourth.

After superior start to the season, Schalke’s form on the road dipped massively as the Royal Blues haven’t recorded a win away from Gelsenkirchen since November 23rd when they’ve stumbled past wobbly Bremen, making it four games without tasting victory, their longest dry spell this year.

Edimilson Fernandes and Stefan Bell are only absentees for the hosts while the Miners’ injury report is getting longer and longer with Ozan Kabak, Jonjoe Kenny, Suat Serdar, Daniel Caligiuri, Markus Schubert, Salif Sané and Benjamin Stambouli apparently all set to miss Mainz clash.

Mainz vs FC Schalke: Head-to-head (h2h)

• Overall Stats (29 games): FSV Mainz 8 wins, 4 draws, FC Schalke 17 wins.
• Mainz have 6-2-6 record at home versus the Royal Blues.
• The Miners got the better of Mainz with late goal by Amine Harit for 2-1 win.
• Schalke 04 were first to score in six of last seven encounters v Die Nullfünfer.
• Four of their last six games ended with fewer than 2.5 goals.

Mainz vs FC Schalke Prediction

Considering the Miners’ lack of firepower in recent times, Mainz’s more reserved approach and adding their past encounters into mix, I’m fairly certain we’re in for a drab match with weak scoreline.

And looking at their injury list, that number of missing players is guaranteed to affect even stronger sides than Gelsenkirchen’s sleeping giant so with a grain of luck and good day in the office from their dynamic duo Petersen- Quaison, the 05ers can end their bad streak at home and get their due versus injury-ravaged Schalke side.

Mainz vs FC Schalke Betting tips

• Under 3 goals @ 1.70

• Mainz to Win @ 3.05.f