Mainz vs Hamburg SV – News and Probable Lineups

A victory for the away side, Hamburg SV, against Mainz 05 this Friday at Mewa Arena could prove crucial in their quest for Bundesliga survival.

The newly-promoted Hamburg currently sit in ninth place with 25 points, six points clear of the relegation playoff position in 16th, while Mainz find themselves in 14th with 21 points after 22 league matches, one less than their opponents.

Match overview

Mainz faced a heavy 4-0 loss against Borussia Dortmund, who are second in the league, on February 13, with their only notable chances occurring in the 88th minute from a corner while trailing by four goals.

Head coach Urs Fischer will undoubtedly be disheartened that the defeat to BVB snapped a streak of three consecutive victories, yet it marked only the second defeat in the last 11 games for his team.

The hosts have managed to open the scoring in just three of their 11 home Bundesliga matches, but they have been in great form at Mewa Arena lately, winning four and drawing one of their last five matches at the venue.

Die Nullfunfer have scored at least two goals in seven of their last ten games, even against strong sides like Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig.

On the defensive side, Mainz has kept just two clean sheets in 22 Bundesliga encounters, although their total of 37 goals conceded is less than the bottom four teams in the league.

Hamburg have surpassed expectations in their return to the top tier of German football, particularly since only 32 points were needed for safety in the 2024-25 season.

The visitors managed to secure a 3-2 victory against Union Berlin on Valentine’s Day, and have scored seven goals in their last three encounters—matching their prior seven matches where they found the net just six times.

Under Merlin Polzin, the club has also recorded three clean sheets in five matches, although they have conceded four goals in their last three outings.

Hamburg secured a 4-0 win over Mainz in October 2025, which ended a six-match winless streak against their hosts.

Die Rothosen are unbeaten in their last five matches, winning two during this spell, and they have secured one win and one draw in their last two away games.

Team News

Unfortunately for Mainz, they are facing several absences, with centre-backs Maxim Dal and Stefan Bell, along with wing-back Anthony Caci, unavailable for the game on Friday.

Goalkeeper Robin Zentner will also miss out, likely leaving Daniel Batz to be protected by a back three featuring Stefan Posch, Dominik Kohr, and Kacper Potulski.

Danny da Costa and Philipp Mwene are expected to function as wing-backs, while Silas Katompa Mvumpa and Phillip Tietz are likely to lead the attack.

Hamburg, too, are dealing with multiple injuries, which includes midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga, while forward Luka Vuskovic is suspended.

Nicolai Remberg has been a standout as the club’s defensive midfielder this season, but with Lokonga missing, he may partner with Fabio Vieira instead.

The hosts could potentially utilize wide players Ransford Konigsdorffer and Philip Otele flanking Robert Glatzel.

Mainz 05 probable starting XI

Batz; Posch, Kohr, Potulski; Da Costa, Lee, Sano, Amiri, Mwene; Silas, Tietz

Hamburgo SV probable starting XI

Fernandes; Capaldo, Elfadli, Torunarigha; Jatta, Remberg, Vieira, Muheim; Konigsdorffer, Glatzel, Hotels