Hoffenheim vs Mainz – News and Probable Lineups

The upcoming fixture between Hoffenheim and Mainz 05 at PreZero Arena on Saturday is likely to play a significant role in both the race for the top four and the fight to avoid relegation in the Bundesliga.

Currently positioned fifth with 50 points, Hoffenheim trails just three points behind third place, while their opponents sit in 11th place with 30 points, which could allow them to create a nine-point buffer above the relegation zone.

Match overview

With only seven rounds remaining, Hoffenheim faced a difficult 5-0 loss to RB Leipzig on March 20, a match in which they were down 4-0 by halftime.

Leipzig’s win lifted them above Hoffenheim into fourth due to a better goal difference, while Stuttgart sits three points ahead in third. This gap could narrow since Stuttgart is set to face Hoffenheim in matchweek 32.

Head coach Christian Ilzer’s squad has stumbled recently, recording three losses in their last seven fixtures, which yielded just eight points from a total of 21 available.

During this span, they managed to score one or fewer goals on four occasions, compared to having netted two or more in five of their previous seven matches, while conceding 16 times across these games.

Hoffenheim’s home form needs to improve, as they have drawn one and lost one of their last two games at PreZero Arena, though they did manage to win the previous eight matches at the venue.

Meanwhile, Mainz secured a 2-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt on March 22 before the international break, extending their unbeaten run to seven matches across all competitions and marking their third consecutive win.

Manager Urs Fischer cannot be complacent about safety, as his team holds just a six-point cushion over St Pauli, who are in the relegation zone. Two of Mainz’s next three league matches are against Hoffenheim and Bayern Munich.

The visitors are looking to earn their first victory in three attempts against Hoffenheim, having previously drawn 1-1 in their last encounter in November 2025.

Even though Mainz conceded a goal against Frankfurt, it was their first slip in four matches without allowing any goals. They have also scored exactly two goals in three of their last four fixtures.

Die Nullfunfer are unbeaten in their last three away games, achieving two draws and one win, and have only lost twice in their past six matches on the road.

Team News

Hoffenheim appears to have most of their squad available, although key midfielder Leon Avdullahu is dealing with a groin issue and won’t be able to make his 27th league start.

Grischa Promel is expected to fill a central role in midfield, supported by number eight Wouter Burger and attacking midfielder Andrej Kramaric.

Fisnik Asllani is anticipated to lead the line, aiming for his ninth Bundesliga goal, but he will rely on service from players like Alexander Prass and Bazoumana Toure.

On the other hand, Mainz continues to grapple with an injury crisis, with up to eight players potentially sidelined, including center-back Andreas Hanche-Olsen and forward Benedict Hollerbach.

Danny da Costa, Stefan Posch, and Dominik Kohr might form a back three, whereas Phillip Tietz and Sheraldo Becker could pair up in attack.

Hoffenheim probable starting XI:

Baumann; Coufal, Kabak, Hajdari, Bernardo; Promel, Burger; Prass, Kramaric, Toure; Asllani

Mainz 05 probable starting XI:

Batz; Da Costa, Posch, Kohr; Widmer, Nebel, Sano, Lee, Mwene; Tietz, Becker

Hoffenheim has encountered rocky performances of late, but they have generally held their own at PreZero Arena this season.

Mainz’s knack for evading defeat away from home has been remarkable, so it is possible that Saturday’s match will result in both teams sharing the spoils.