Bundesliga 2022-23: RB Leipzig vs Mainz: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

Fifth-placed RB Leipzig host ninth-placed Mainz at the Redbull Arena

The season seems to have taken a downward spiral for Marco Rose's men after a heavy 7-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Champions League. RB Leipzig now take on Mainz at home. Read our detailed preview of RB Leipzig vs Mainz.

Just a few weeks ago, Leipzig was the team to beat in the Bundesliga since Marco Rose's appointment, and up until the 2-1 defeat to Dortmund in match-week 23, had been the side to accumulate the most points in the Bundesliga.

All of that seems to have changed as Leipzig slipped to a shock 1-0 defeat to Bochum last match-week in the last league match. Leipzig look short on confidence and shy in front of goal. This weekend's tie against Mainz presents a perfect opportunity to bounce back after the international break, as they're a point from the Champions League spot on 45 points in 5th place.

Bo Svenson has made his Mainz side a tactically well-structured team who don't concede too many goals. However, goal scoring has been a point of concern, despite being unbeaten in six matches in the Bundesliga and continuing on positive form in the league form, with sights firmly set on Europe.

They're only a point off a European competition spot in 9th place, with 37 points & will look to finish the final part of the season as strongly as possible.

Kick-off:

Saturday, 01-04-2023, 07:00 pm (IST)

Saturday, 01-04-2023, 01:30 pm (GMT)

RB Leipzig form (all competitions): L-L-W-L-L

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

Players to watch for RB Leipzig vs Mainz

RB Leipzig: Dominik Szoboszlai

The Hungarian scored an outrageous free-kick in the International break against Bulgaria, in a 3-0 victory for his nation. His return to goal-scoring form can only be a good sign for his club side Leipzig, who haven't scored in the last matches.

However, that hasn't stopped the playmaker from creating the second-highest number of chances in the Bundesliga, which have resulted in four goals and eight assists in all competitions. His qualities have attracted a lot of suitors across Europe with former Leipzig and Current Chelsea technical director Christopher Vivell, who is known to be a keen admirer of him. He'll be the one to make a difference for Leipzig.

Mainz: Karim Onisiwo

The Mainz forward has been the only reliable goal-scorer for Bo Svenson in the league. Onisiwo is their top scorer with 9 goals. He came off the bench last matchday against Freiburg at home in a 1-1 draw, scoring a dramatic 96th-minute equalizer for his side. He'll be looking to be the difference maker for Mainz, whether it be from the starting lineup or the bench, this weekend against Leipzig.

Match Facts

• RB Leipzig is the second-best home side in the Bundesliga with 29 points accumulated( 9W, 2D,1L).
• Mainz is unbeaten in their last six Bundesliga encounters. This is their longest lossless sequence since their last nine-match unbeaten run between March and May 2021.

Team & Injury News for RB Leipzig vs Mainz

For RB Leipzig, midfielder Schlager (ligament), forward Nkunku (hamstring) and goalkeeper Gulasci (ACL) & forward Poulsen (Calf) will be unavailable to long-term injuries & will miss out.

For Mainz, forwards Burkhardt (knee) & Gruda (knee) are the only major injury concerns this weekend.

Head-to-Head Stats for RB Leipzig vs Mainz

Matches: 13

RB Leipzig: 07

Mainz wins: 03

Draws: 03

RB Leipzig predicted lineup (4-2-2-2):

Blaswich - Henrichs, Orban (c), Gvardiol, Raum - Szoboszlai, Laimer, Haidara, Olmo - Silva, Werner

Mainz predicted lineup (3-4-2-1):

Zentner (c) - Hanche-Olsen, Bell, Fernandes, da Costa; Barreiro, Stach, Caci; Onisiwo - Ingvartsen, Ajorque

Match Prediction

Leipzig's strong form at home should be a key indicator of how this match should go, given that they've only won twice in the last five matches in all competitions. They'll be looking to put the 1-0 loss at home last match day to lowly Bochum behind with a victory this weekend.

Prediction: RB Leipzig 3 - 1 Mainz

Telecast

India – SonyLIV

USA – ESPN+, FuboTV

UK – Sky Sports

Nigeria – Canal+ Sport, SportyTV