🕧Hertha earned an impressive 2-0 win at Bayer Leverkusen last weekend, a result that sees them just four points shy of the top six. Forward Valentino Lazaro scored the opener in that match – his first Bundesliga goal – and will be looking to continue building on establishing his position in the starting XI, having been the creator of their previous four league goals. Veteran forward Salomon Kalou – the other goalscorer last weekend – needs just one goal to make it three goals in three games here, which would also take his tally into double figures for the season, a feat he’s achieved just once before in four years at the club.
On the other side of the pitch, Mainz 05 suffered a devastating 4-2 defeat at Hoffenheim last Saturday, which saw them remain rooted in the relegation play off spot. Mainz have now lost three Bundesliga matches in a row for the first time under boss Sandro Schwarz, who currently holds the worst top-flight record of any coach in the club’s history. He has defensive worries ahead of this clash, with France under-21 international Abdou Diallo suspended, which looks ominous given their current defensive record – the 05ers have conceded 11 goals across four successive defeats in all competitions.
In terms of betting, backing goals at both ends looks the best bet for Friday. Hertha have been in fantastic scoring form, finding the back of the net in all but two of their last 19 competitive outings, but the Berliners have consistently struggled at the back over this run, keeping just four clean sheets (21%). At the Olympiastadion things haven’t been much different either, with both teams finding the back of the net in 82% of matches there. Such a statistic leaves the doors wide open for Mainz 05, who’s main problem has been conceding goals, as opposed to scoring them – Mainz have scored the 2nd most goals of any team in the bottom half (26), but have conceded the joint most (41) too.
Surprisingly, Hertha have the best strike rate in the Bundesliga, scoring around once every six shots, so should have no problems getting the job done against the league’s worst defense. Mainz have conceded at least two goals in each of their last TEN league outings – their worst stretch of form in years and only Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are on a longer unbeaten run than hosts Hertha. With the Berliners also boasting a decent track record at home to Mainz (see head to head), backing them to take three points looks a decent call here. Our prediction: a 2-1 Hertha Berlin win.
🕧Hertha earned an impressive 2-0 win at Bayer Leverkusen last weekend, a result that sees them just four points shy of the top six. Forward Valentino Lazaro scored the opener in that match – his first Bundesliga goal – and will be looking to continue building on establishing his position in the starting XI, having been the creator of their previous four league goals. Veteran forward Salomon Kalou – the other goalscorer last weekend – needs just one goal to make it three goals in three games here, which would also take his tally into double figures for the season, a feat he’s achieved just once before in four years at the club.
On the other side of the pitch, Mainz 05 suffered a devastating 4-2 defeat at Hoffenheim last Saturday, which saw them remain rooted in the relegation play off spot. Mainz have now lost three Bundesliga matches in a row for the first time under boss Sandro Schwarz, who currently holds the worst top-flight record of any coach in the club’s history. He has defensive worries ahead of this clash, with France under-21 international Abdou Diallo suspended, which looks ominous given their current defensive record – the 05ers have conceded 11 goals across four successive defeats in all competitions.
In terms of betting, backing goals at both ends looks the best bet for Friday. Hertha have been in fantastic scoring form, finding the back of the net in all but two of their last 19 competitive outings, but the Berliners have consistently struggled at the back over this run, keeping just four clean sheets (21%). At the Olympiastadion things haven’t been much different either, with both teams finding the back of the net in 82% of matches there. Such a statistic leaves the doors wide open for Mainz 05, who’s main problem has been conceding goals, as opposed to scoring them – Mainz have scored the 2nd most goals of any team in the bottom half (26), but have conceded the joint most (41) too.
Surprisingly, Hertha have the best strike rate in the Bundesliga, scoring around once every six shots, so should have no problems getting the job done against the league’s worst defense. Mainz have conceded at least two goals in each of their last TEN league outings – their worst stretch of form in years and only Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are on a longer unbeaten run than hosts Hertha. With the Berliners also boasting a decent track record at home to Mainz (see head to head), backing them to take three points looks a decent call here. Our prediction: a 2-1 Hertha Berlin win.