Union vs Mainz Prediction
🔊 As the new year kicks off, Union return to the "An der Alten Försterei" for their Bundesliga Matchday 16 clash against Mainz. Under Urs Fischer's guidance, the team are on a four-game unbeaten streak, yet they have not secured a win in the German league this season. Notably, Fischer spent five years as Union's head coach, leading them to the Bundesliga and even into the Champions League in the 2022/23 season. Can the Swiss tactician spoil the mood for his former side and clinch his first Bundesliga victory at the helm of the "Null-Fünfer"?
Head-to-Head
📊 Last season, Union secured four out of a possible six points against Mainz. They first played to a 1-1 draw away at the Mewa Arena and then clinched a 2-1 victory at home. The head-to-head stats also favor Union, as they remain unbeaten against Mainz in their last eight encounters and have suffered just one defeat in their previous 12 meetings. Mainz's last victory over the Iron Ones dates back to 2021, with a 1-0 win.
H2H Stats Matches and Previous Teams Results
Union Team Overview
⚪ Following an impressive 3-1 home victory over top-four contenders Leipzig, Union snatched three points away at newly-promoted Cologne, thanks to a 91st-minute goal from substitute Andras Schafer (1-0). This allowed Steffen Baumgart's side to bounce back from two consecutive defeats with two wins, placing them eighth in the standings after 15 rounds, five points shy of the top six. A win in this match could mark Union's first three-game winning streak since August 2023, when Urs Fischer was still at the helm.
🔴 During the winter break, Union played a friendly against third-division side Erzgebirge Aue, securing a 2-1 victory. Aljoscha Kemlein opened the scoring in the ninth minute, and Oliver Burke doubled the lead six minutes before halftime. The opposition managed to pull one back before the final whistle.
Match Results: Union
Mainz Team Overview
🔴 Mainz head into the second half of the season sitting at the bottom of the Bundesliga table. However, the team is buoyed by an unbeaten run of four matches across all competitions since Urs Fischer took over as head coach. The Swiss manager kicked off his tenure at Mainz with draws against Lech Poznan (1-1) and Bayern Munich (2-2), secured his first victory over Samsunspor (2-0) in the Conference League, and shared points with St. Pauli (0-0) in the league. Two consecutive Bundesliga draws have reduced their gap from the relegation playoff zone to four points, with 19 rounds still to play this season.
⚪ In the current Bundesliga campaign, Mainz have only managed to collect eight points, securing just one victory. This marks the second-worst start in the club’s history, and only on three occasions has a team with single-digit points after 15 rounds managed to retain its top-flight status. Nevertheless, Mainz have twice escaped similar predicaments-in the 2020/21 and 2023/24 seasons-so the club remains confident in their ability to pull off another survival.
Match Results: Mainz
Latest news
Union
🎙 "Both teams had plenty of chances, and we also had our fair share of good opportunities, especially in the first half. It's crucial to successfully navigate these challenges because we need to regain our form after the break. Big thanks to Aue and the fans who made this match possible," commented Union's head coach Steffen Baumgart.
🚑 In the upcoming fixture, the hosts will only be without Robert Skov, who is still dealing with a calf muscle issue. Rani Khedira missed the friendly against Aue due to illness, but he is expected to be fit for Saturday's game.
Mainz
📝 During the January transfer window, Mainz bolstered their attack with the addition of two players. Silas made the move from Stuttgart under undisclosed terms, while forward Philipp Tietz was acquired from Augsburg for €4 million.
❌ In the upcoming match, Urs Fischer will be without William Böving, Maxim Leitsch, Philipp Mwene, Silas, and Robin Zentner. The participation of Anthony Caci and Maxim Dal is doubtful. Meanwhile, Tietz may make his first start following his transfer.
🟨 Referee and Yellow Cards
The match at "An der Alten Försterei" will be officiated by Bastian Dankert. In his last ten matches, he has averaged 2.9 yellow cards per game. Union and Mainz both average 2.4 yellow cards over the past 15 rounds. Games involving the capital club are often marked by numerous fouls, making the over 3.5 yellow cards a reasonable prediction-this outcome has occurred in 14 of Union's last 16 matches.
⚽ Goal Prediction
Union have conceded in their last four home games. Moreover, in five of the last six head-to-head meetings in Berlin, Mainz have managed to find the back of the net against the "Iron Ones." Considering this, it's likely that the visitors will score again this time-Mainz's individual total over 0.5 goals.
🚩 Corner Prediction
Union average 5.4 corners over 15 rounds, while Mainz average 5.1. Against this backdrop, opting for Mainz's individual total under 5.5 corners appears reasonable, a bet that has come through in six of their last seven away matches.
Editor's Prediction
Union Berlin have scored in seven consecutive matches, six of which were in the Bundesliga. We've already highlighted the "Iron Ones'" strong record against Mainz, and considering the significant personnel issues for the visitors, we expect a home victory with a scoreline of 2-1.
For a safer bet, consider the option of Union Berlin's individual total over 1 goal. This outcome has been successful in the last five head-to-head meetings at the "An der Alten Försterei," and Mainz have conceded at least one goal in all seven of their away matches in the Bundesliga.
Betting Tips: Union - Mainz
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Comparison of Teams Stats
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