HEIDELBERG, Germany — Dis Saturday, TSG Hoffenheim go host Mainz 05 for PreZero Arena as dem face off for matchweek 29 of di Bundesliga. Hoffenheim dey struggle for survival, sitting for 14th position with 27 points, while Mainz dey shine bright, in fourth place with 46 points.
Last week, Hoffenheim drop point after dem lose 1-0 to RB Leipzig, making dem winless for their last five matches. Coach Christian Ilzer express concern about di team’s defensive issues, as dem don concede 52 goals — di fourth worst in di league. “We need to tighten our defense if we want to avoid relegation,” Ilzer talk.
Mainz no get butter for dem mouth too as dem draw last match against Holstein Kiel (1-1). Coach Bo Henriksen say dem need to improve on their defensive play too, after conceding six goals in di last three matches. “We must address our defensive frailties if we want to secure Champions League qualification,” he stated.
Last time both teams meet, Mainz emerge victorious, winning dem last 15 encounters with 15 wins to Hoffenheim’s 9. Di record dey show Mainz get edge when dem face Hoffenheim, especially at PreZero Arena where both teams share equal wins but Mainz don win three of di last four matches.
Dis clash no go just determine who dey fight to escape relegation, but also who dey push for European spots. Mainz and Hoffenheim’s performance for dis match fit shape di later stages of di season.
For di lineup front, Hoffenheim get some concerns as dem struggle with injuries and suspensions. Goalkeeper Oliver Baumann go lead dem with defenders Gendrey, Chaves, and Akpoguma holding di back. Up front, Kramaric go be di main striker after he has been vital for dem dis season.
Mainz, on di other hand, go enter di match wit confidence as most of their first-choice players dey fit to start. Goalkeeper Zentner go command di defense while strikers Burkardt and Lee go spearhead di attack. “We need to take our chances and keep a clean sheet if we want dis win,” Burkardt stated.
As di match dey come closer, statistics show Mainz don been strong offensively, scoring 39 goals from di season. Hoffenheim, however, don struggle for clinical finishing, converting just 28 goals from an xG of 30.69. For both teams, dis match go dey crucial for dem to either secure relegation survival or maintain di push for European football.
