Mainz-Borussia Monchengladbach is a match on the 22nd day of the Bundesliga and is played on Friday at 20:30: TV, formations, predictions.
Bayern Munich’s timely defeat at Borussia Park has become one of the constants of recent Bundesliga seasons, regardless of the Fohlen’s position in the standings at the time or their state of form. The reigning champions stumbled again last weekend (3-2) at home to Borussia Monchengladbach, who once again proved to be their ‘black beast’.
The Bavarians had yet to lose in 2023 and were coming from the very important success at the Parc des Princes with Psg, which put qualification for the Champions League round of 16 on the downhill slide. On the other hand, the Daniel Farke-led team, who had only got the better of the shaky Hoffenheim since the start of the championship, was certainly not bursting with health. All the ingredients seemed to be in place for Bayern to break this ‘curse’ this time. But there was little they could do: the match immediately went uphill for Julian Nagelsmann’s men, who ended up in a numerical inferiority after just eight minutes of play due to Upamecano’s expulsion. With the extra man, Borussia Monchengladbach took the courage to deliver one of their best performances of the season, with three of Farke’s key players – Stindl, Hofmann and Thuram – castigating former great Sommer.
Europe remains far away
A huge satisfaction for the Fohlens in a season full of ups and downs. In fact, the Europe that counts still remains far away. Gladbach are eighth, eleven points away from the last place in the next Champions League.
Bo Svensson’s Mainz find themselves in the same situation. As well as having the same points they have a virtually identical roster to Borussia: 8 wins, 5 draws and 8 defeats. However, the Mainz club have now put their negative moment behind them, as confirmed by their two wins in a row – not since October – against Augsburg and Bayer Leverkusen. Six points thanks to which the red-and-whites have left the danger zones of the standings and have returned to breathe the scent of Europe.
The Prediction
Borussia Monchengladbach have picked up seven points on the road: only four teams have done worse than the Fohlen. On the other hand, Mainz have remained unbeaten in their last four confrontations with Stindl and his teammates, although they have not won against them at home since 2016. There is, however, one statistic that puts a smile on Gladbach’s face, as they have never been defeated in their last seven Friday fixtures. A rather balanced match is therefore on the horizon, in which both sides should score on at least one occasion. A draw cannot be ruled out.
Mainz v Borussia Monchengladbach matchday squad
- MAINZ (3-4-1-2): Dahmen; Hanche-Olsen, Bell, Fernandes; Widmer, Barreiro, Kohr, Caci; Lee; Onisiwo, Ajorque.
- BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH (4-2-3-1): Omlin; Scally, Itakura, Elvedi, Bensebaini; Kramer, Kone; Hofmann, Stindl, Plea; Thuram.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
