Mainz 05 vs Wolfsburg

Mainz’s pursuit of a historic top-four Bundesliga finish continues at the Mewa Arena against out-of-sorts Wolfsburg. 

Top-four hopefuls Mainz suffered a dip in form at the worst possible moment, entering the five-game run-in amid an unenviable four-game winless league streak (D2, L2). Keen to halt their longest run without winning in Bundesliga action this term, Bo Henriksen’s charges must view every game down the final stretch as a ‘must-win,’ considering they boast a porous four-point lead on ninth-placed Werder Bremer. However, a top-six finish for the first time since 2015/16 remains firmly on the cards, especially with three games across the final five coming at home, where the 05ers haven’t lost any of their last ten league fixtures (W6, D4). However, Wolfsburg’s visit could change the narrative, with Mainz lamenting a dismal run of just three wins from their previous 18 top-flight H2Hs (D7, L8).

Visiting Wolfsburg strengthened their impressive H2H record with a 4-3 win in this season’s reverse fixture despite facing a deficit three times! Another league success against Mainz would be a welcome boost for the beleaguered visitors after a 3-2 home loss to RB Leipzig last weekend extended their losing streak to four matches, all but condemning Ralph Hasenhuttl’s charges to a mid-table finish. Furthermore, ‘Die Wolfe’ have only won twice in 13 league fixtures since mid-January (D5, L6), a run which includes back-to-back away defeats without a reply. As a result, Wolfsburg could lose three consecutive Bundesliga matches on the road without conceding for the first time since a run of four in 2021/22.