Mainz vs. Bayern Munich: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info
Bayern Munich visit Mainz on Saturday in their first match since taking the Bundesliga lead outright.
The three-time defending German champions came back from a goal behind on Tuesday to beat Wolfsburg 5-1, extending their record to a perfect six wins from six games.
Borussia Dortmund's draw with Hoffenheim a day later meant that Thomas Tuchel's side could not keep pace with Pep Guardiola's men, who have won every game since the end of the preseason.
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The Wolfsburg match began rather dangerously for Bayern, who struggled in the first half and had the post to thank for only being one goal behind at the break.
Guardiola brought Robert Lewandowski off the bench in the second half, though, and the Poland international decided the result by himself: It took less than 15 minutes on the pitch for the striker to score five goals, all within a nine-minute period.
The striker shattered several records with his amazing performance, and Bayern never looked back. The result marked the third time in six Bundesliga games in which the title holders came back from a losing position at half-time to take all three points.
Mainz enter this weekend's action as clear underdogs, in mid-table with half of Bayern's point tally. They've managed to earn nine points thus far, but have lost fixtures against tougher opponents, like Schalke and Bayer Leverkusen.
Although their campaign has had its ups and downs, there have been some bright signs for Mainz after they sold key players Johannes Geis and Shinji Okazaki over the summer. They haven't capitulated following the departures of key players, and Yunus Malli has emerged as a real star of the Bundesliga.
Malli and company will need some heroics if they are to stop Bayern, though, and football fans tuning in for this weekend's action will expect more of the same from Lewandowski and his teammates. After all, the last time these two teams faced off, Bayern lifted the Bundesliga Shield at the end of the match.
Date: Saturday, September 26
Time: 2:30 p.m. BST / 9:30 a.m. EST / 3:30 p.m. local time
Venue: Coface Arena, Mainz
TV Info: Fox Soccer 1 (U.S. only), Not available (UK only)
Live Stream: Fox Soccer 2Go (U.S. only)
Form Guide
| Mainz | Bayern |
| Leverkusen: Loss | Wolfsburg: Win |
| Hoffenheim: Win | Darmstadt: Win |
| Schalke: Loss | Olympiakos: Win |
| Hannover: Win | Augsburg: Win |
| Monchengladbach: Win | Leverkusen: Win |
Predicted Lineups
Mainz
Fabian Frei and Elkin Soto are both injured, but Mainz will otherwise have a full squad available to take on Bayern.
There are some questions over who will get the nod to start, particularly in attack. Yoshinori Muto seems to be first choice, but Jhon Andres Cordoba just might pip the Colombian to a starting role in the position of centre-forward.
Possible Mainz starting XI: Karius; Brosinski, Bungert, Bell, Bengtsson; Baumgartlinger, Moritz; Clemens, Malli, Sampeiro; Muto.
Bayern Munich
Guardiola will still be without Arjen Robben, Mehdi Benatia, Franck Ribery, Holger Badstuber and Jan Kirchhoff, who are all injured, but may opt to bring Javi Martinez back into the starting lineup as either a centre-back or holding midfielder.
Bayern have had a congested schedule as of late, so the head coach may choose to rotate some of his more-tired stars.
Possible Bayern Munich starting XI: Neuer; Lahm, Boateng, Martinez, Alaba; Vidal, Alono; Gotze, Muller, Costa; Lewandowski.
Players to Watch
Lewandowski may have scored five goals in midweek, but Thomas Muller has also been magnificent in front of goal for Bayern and will be just as much of a direct threat.
Douglas Costa and Mario Gotze were both great against Wolfsburg, and the Brazilian in particular has been outstanding all season thus far. Both will be worth a close look as providers.
Mainz seem to have a real gem in Malli, who's scored five goals in his last four games.
Muto is also worth a look. The former FC Tokyo man has big shoes to fill as he tries to follow in the footsteps of Okazaki at Mainz, but has real talent and has already shown glimpses of his ability.
Key Battles
Loris Karius vs. Robert Lewandowski
If Mainz are to keep Lewandowski off the score sheet on Saturday, it's probably not the defenders that will need to have a big game so much as the goalkeeper, Loris Karius.
Lewandowski will probably have at least a few chances on goal, and the 22-year-old will have to bring his A-game if he is to keep a clean sheet.
Lewandowski's performance against Wolfsburg was just the next affirmation of his enormous class, and signaled he is fully fit after a brief injury layoff.
He proved that he absolutely must start when healthy and eligible, and Bayern are nearly unstoppable with him on the pitch. Karius will truly have his hands full.
Yunus Malli vs. Xabi Alonso
Malli netted a hat-trick a week ago, lifting Mainz to victory over Hoffenheim.
The 23-year-old playmaker has taken a giant leap in his development as a professional footballer this season, and Mainz have leaned on him for their inspiration in the attacking third in recent weeks. He'll be the hosts' main threat through the centre.
Opposite Malli will be Xabi Alonso, the veteran who continues to be a key player for Bayern even as he approaches the age of 34.
The Spaniard will play centrally and just ahead of the back four, and will have to keep Malli quiet with his defensive work as well as his play with the ball at his feet.
Alonso's ability to control the tempo will be key both for Bayern's attack and for keeping Malli and company quiet.
Odds (courtesy of Odds Shark)
Mainz: 272-25
Draw: 107-20
Bayern: 20-91
