Mainz vs FC Köln Preview: German Bundesliga Matchday 30 2011/12

April 10, 2012 7:00 PM BST
Coface Arena — Mainz

Team News

Mainz 05

Manager Tuchel could field a 4-3-1-2 system again, with Eugen Polanski, Julian Baumgartlinger and Elkin Soto in central midifeld. Mohamed Zidan is an option to replace Andreas Ivanschitz or one of the strikers. Mainz have no new injuries, so manager Tuchel has several options in many positions.
probable lineups : Wetklo, Zabavnik, Noveski, Kirchhoff, Bungert, Soto, Polanski, Baumgartlinger, Ivanschitz, Ujah, Szalai. (4-3-2-1).

FC Cologne

Milivoje Novakovic, Kevin Pezzoni, Petit and the injured Andrézinho have been suspended from first team training for at least one week without an official reason. Solbakken stated that he wants his players to be 100% focused. Ammar Jemal could replace Henrique Sereno at centre-back. Mikael Ishak could get his chance to start alongside Lukas Podolski up front once again.
probable lineups : Rensing, Brecko, Geromel, Jemal, Eichner, Jajalo, Lanig, Riether, Clemens, Podolski, Ishak. (4-4-2).

Match Facts
Mainz 05 have been drawing at half time and winning at full time in their last 5 home matches against FC Cologne in all competitions.
There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Mainz 05's last 7 games in Bundesliga.
Mainz 05 have scored at least 2 goals in 4 of their last 6 home matches against FC Cologne in all competitions.Mainz 05 have conceded at least 2 goals in 4 of their last 6 matches in Bundesliga.
Mainz 05 have won their last 5 home matches against FC Cologne in all competitions.
FC Cologne have failed to win 10 of their last 11 away matches in Bundesliga.

Head to Head

Mainz 05

Apr 7, 2012	VfB Stuttgart 4 - Mainz 1	GER1
Mar 31, 2012	Werder Bremen 0 - Mainz 3	GER1
Mar 24, 2012	Mainz 1 - Hertha BSC 3	GER1
Mar 17, 2012	FC Augsburg 2 - Mainz 1	GER1
Mar 10, 2012	Mainz 2 - Nürnberg 1	GER1

FC Cologne

Apr 7, 2012	FC Köln 1 - Werder Bremen 1	GER1
Mar 31, 2012	FC Augsburg 2 - FC Köln 1	GER1
Mar 25, 2012	FC Köln 1 - Borussia Dortmund 6	GER1
Mar 18, 2012	Hannover 96 4 - FC Köln 1	GER1
Mar 10, 2012	FC Köln 1 - Hertha BSC 0	GER1

Bundesliga ‎(GER1)‎	Dec 13, 2011	FC Köln 1 - Mainz 1
Bundesliga ‎(GER1)‎	Feb 13, 2011	FC Köln 4 - Mainz 2
Bundesliga ‎(GER1)‎	Sep 21, 2010	Mainz 2 - FC Köln 0
Bundesliga ‎(GER1)‎	Mar 13, 2010	Mainz 1 - FC Köln 0
Bundesliga ‎(GER1)      ‎	Oct 17, 2009	FC Köln 1 - Mainz 0

Prediction
After a heavy loss at Stuttgart last weekend, Mainz desperately need a result to avoid getting deeper into the relegation battle again. The team needs to improve defensively.

Cologne showed improvement in a draw against Bremen last weekend, but they are still in a very dangerous position. They have a long way to go to stay up and need points against direct rivals like Mainz.

Expect this to become an intense game. Both teams need points to improve their situation in the relegation battle.

Mainz 05  2 - 1  FC Cologne