Bundesliga | Gameweek 32

May 4, 2025 at 6.30pm UK

Mewa Arena

Mainz vs Frankfurt

Match preview

Mainz lost 3-0 to Bayern Munich last Saturday, despite creating as many chances as the reigning champions (two), and wasted an opportunity to take the lead in the sixth minute when striker Jonathan Burkardt fired over from close range.

Karnevalsverein have now conceded seven goals in their last three matches, twice failing to find the back of the net.

Manager Bo Henriksen knows that defeat on Sunday would end their Champions League hopes if fourth-placed Freiburg beat Bayer Leverkusen, but with just two points separating them from fifth-placed RB Leipzig, Europa League football is still possible.

Mainz are winless in their last six games - three defeats - and have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last eight matches.

The hosts have drawn their last three at home, but are unbeaten in 10 games at the Mewa Arena, winning six of them.

Eintracht Frankfurt were helped by the fact that Leipzig were reduced to 10 men in the 50th minute as they won 1-0, but they deserved to win as they created five good chances and denied the Roten Bullen none of their own.

The Eagles had failed to score in their previous two matches, but have now kept three clean sheets in their last four.

Dino Toppmoller's side will secure a top-four finish if they win and RB Leipzig fail to win, or if Freiburg lose at the weekend, but they will also secure a top-four finish if they draw at Mainz and both Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund fail to win.

Toppmoller oversaw a 3-1 defeat to Mainz in the league on 21 December, but the Eagles will be confident of avenging that defeat, having won four and lost just once in their last six top-flight matches.

However, the visitors have struggled away from home, with three stalemates and two defeats in their last six Bundesliga outings.

Recent Performance

Mainz 05 Bundesliga form:DLDLDL

Eintracht Frankfurt Bundesliga form:WWLWDW

Eintracht Frankfurt form (all competitions):LDWLDW

Team News

Mainz have a full-strength squad with the exception of centre-backs Moritz Jenz and Anthony Caci, who are expected to be sidelined for a few days at most.

Danny da Costa, Andreas Hanche-Olsen and Dominik Kohr could all start at the back, while Kaishu Sano and Nadiem Amiri could start in a double pivot.

Paul Nebel and Jae-sug Lee were used in attacking roles behind Burkardt against Bayern and are likely to be selected again.

Eintracht Frankfurt also have few injury concerns, although striker Mario Gotze is sidelined with a hip injury.

Striker Hugo Ekitike is almost certain to start up front, and the Frenchman could be joined by Ansgar Knauff and Jean-Matteo Bahoya.

Ellyes Skhiri and Hugo Larsson started in midfield last time out and could be called upon to protect centre-backs Tuta, Robin Koch and Arthur Theate.

Possible starting lineup

Mainz 05 possible starting lineup:

Zentner; Da Costa, Hanche-Olsen, Kohr; Veratsching, Sano, Amiri, Mwene; Nebel, Lee; Burkardt

Eintracht Frankfurt possible starting lineup:

Trapp; Tuta, Koch, Theate; Kristensen, Skhiri, Larsson, Brown; Knauff, Bahoya; Ekitike