⁠Bayer Leverkusen vs Mainz: Predicted Lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

Xabi Alonso’s side will be aiming to break the record for most unbeaten games in Bundesliga

Bayer Leverkusen, having conceded only 15 goals so far, will be hosting Mainz, a team currently positioned at No. 17 in the league with 17 goals scored. In their previous encounter on February 17, Bayer Leverkusen secured a 2-1 victory on the road against 1. FC Heidenheim 1846. This win demonstrated their resilience in overcoming their opponents away from home.

On the same day, Mainz celebrated a 1-0 triumph in their recent game against FC Augsburg, showcasing their ability to secure a home victory. Throughout the season, Mainz have been unable to secure a victory in any of their away league matches. Their goal-scoring average during this period stands at just 0.82 goals per game, indicating a challenging struggle to find success on the road.

Kick-Off:

Saturday, 24 February 2024 at 11:30 PM GST (01:00 AM IST)

Location: BayArena

Form

Bayer Leverkusen (all competitions): D-W-W-W-W

Mainz (all competitions): L-L-D-L-W

Players to Watch

Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)

Florian Wirtz has been a significant contributor to Bayer Leverkusen’s success, showcasing his productivity with an impressive tally of five goals and seven assists. Wirtz’s dual role as both a goal-scorer and a creator underscores his versatility and valuable contributions to Bayer Leverkusen’s overall performance. He is universally acknowledged as one of the most promising emerging talents on a global scale.

Karim Onisiwo (Mainz)

Despite not finding the back of the net, Karim Onisiwo has been instrumental for FSV Mainz, contributing three assists. He has created a total of 12 chances, averaging 1.2 chances per game. While goal-scoring has eluded him, Onisiwo’s impact extends beyond scoring, as evidenced by his significant contribution to creating goal-scoring opportunities for Mainz.

Match Facts

• Bayer are now unbeaten in 32 competitive matches.
• Mainz ended their run of 11 Bundesliga games without a win last matchday.
• Bayer have made the third-best start to a Bundesliga season.

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Injury & Team News

Bayer Leverkusen have effectively managed the absence of Victor Boniface, who made waves in the early part of the season. Under Alonso’s guidance, the team has adapted well in his absence. Unfortunately, Exequiel Palacios is also sidelined with a muscle injury.

Mainz are expected to face challenges without their strikers Nelson Wieper and Jonathan Burkardt in this match. Burkardt is dealing with an infection, and although there is a possibility of improvement before the weekend, his participation remains uncertain. Wieper, on the other hand, has been sidelined for several months due to a knee injury. Additionally, Stefan Bell is unavailable in the defensive lineup for Mainz.

Head to Head

Total Matches – 36

Bayer Leverkusen wins – 19

Mainz wins – 12

Draws – 5

Predicted Lineup for Bayer Leverkusen vs Mainz

Bayer Leverkusen predicted lineup

Hradecky; Hincapie, Tah, Stanisic; Grimaldo, Andrich, Xhaka, Frimpong; Wirtz, Adli, Schick

Mainz possible starting lineup:

Zetner; Kohr, Van Den Berg, Kraus; Caci, Amiri, Barrerio, Mwene; Sung-Lee, Onisiwo, Gruda

Match Prediction for Bayer Leverkusen vs Mainz

Under the guidance of Xabi Alonso, Bayer Leverkusen consistently dominates ball possession with an average of 64% in their home matches. This high possession rate limits the opportunities for the opposition to score, as Leverkusen have successfully kept a clean sheet in five out of their last six home Bundesliga matches. Karnevalsverin will have a tough challenge infront of them in this fixture.

Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 Mainz

Telecast

India: Sony Sports Network, SonyLIV

UK: Sky Sports

USA: ESPN

Nigeria: SportyTV

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