Mainz vs Augsburg 14/06/20

14 June 2020

The Opel Arena could be a venue of entertainment this weekend, as Mainz take on Augsburg, with just a single point separating the sides ahead of the kick-off. Indeed, four of their last five Bundesliga (BL) H2Hs have recorded over 2.5 goals, with three of them seeing both teams on the scoresheet.

Even though they’ve brought a five-game winless league run to a halt (D3, L2) with a 2-0 away win over Eintracht Frankfurt last time out, the hosts enter this round frantically looking over their shoulders as they sit just two points clear of relegation-threatened Fortuna Dusseldorf. Moreover, the ‘Karnevalsverein’ have picked up just a single triumph from seven BL home fixtures since the turn of the year (D2, L4). But, far more aggressive after the break, Achim Beierlorzer’s men have netted 60% (nine) of their 15 BL home goals scored so far in the second half of play. In turn, Mainz’s continuous second-half improvement has seen 41% (11) of their total 27 BL home goals conceded against come in the second 45 minutes.

As for the visitors, they’ve wrapped up only one victory in their last ten league fixtures (D3, L6), failing to find the back of the net on five of those occasions. Furthermore, the ‘Fuggerstädter’ have lost all but one of their seven previous BL away matches (W1), conceding over 1.5 goals in each of those losses while drawing a blank in five. Augsburg face another uphill task now, as they take on a side they’ve lost to in six of their last seven top-flight away H2H meetings (W1). They also have to avoid conceding the opening goal to even stand a chance here. Indeed, Heiko Herrlich’s side returned only one point from eight BL trips in which they’ve allowed the opener.