Mainz vs RB Leipzig Preview: How to Watch on TV, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News
By Dom Smith
RB Leizpig will watch their Bundesliga title rivals play before they themselves take to the field on Sunday afternoon, when they'll face Mainz.
Leizpig didn't make the return to Bundesliga action that they were hoping for, drawing 1-1 with Freiburg, and it could have been worse had Freiburg's marginally offside goal in stoppage time not been chalked off by VAR.
At the other end of table, Mainz earned a creditable 2-2 draw at Köln having been 2-0 down, but hauled themselves level thanks to a wonderful solo run and finish from midfielder Pierre Kunde Malong after Taiwo Awoniyi had reduced the deficit.
Where to Watch
When Is Kick Off? Sunday 24 May
What Time Is Kick Off? 14:30 (BST)
Where Is it Played? Opel Park
TV Channel/Live Stream? BT Sport (UK)
Referee? TBC
Team News
Timo Werner is Leipzig's star man, but his goals have slowed ever so slightly as the season has progressed as he's dropped further back to accommodate Czech Republic striker Patrik Schick, who's on loan from Roma.
Denmark international Yussuf Poulsen started up front for Julian Nagelsmann's team at the weekend and scored their only goal. All three are fit, but only two are likely to start.
Defender Dayot Upamecano returns from suspension this weekend and is excepted to play ahead of fellow France youth international Ibrahima Konaté, who is still yet to reach full fitness after sustaining a hip injury.
Mainz are going to be without goalkeeper Robin Zentner for the rest of the season, so Florian Müller will likely retain his place. Striker Jean-Philippe Mateta is also available again after serving a suspension.
Predicted Lineups
Mainz: Müller; Baku, St Juste, Niakhaté, Martín; Latza, Kunde Malong, Ji, Boëtius, Quaison; Mateta.
RB Leipzig: Gulácsi; Klostermann, Upamecano, Halstenberg; Forsberg, Olmo, Sabitzer, Laimer, Nkunku; Werner, Poulsen.
Head to Head Record
Leipzig have dominated this fixture since it was first played in 2016. The two sides have only ever faced each other in the Bundesliga, with Leipzig winning four of the seven meetings. The most recent was far and away the most convincing - the Red Bulls smashed Mainz 8-0 earlier this season.
Having also claimed two draws, Mainz's only ever victory over Leipzig came in April 2018, when they dispatched the side then managed by Ralf Rangnick 3-0.
Recent Form
But for a few drawn matches here and there that they should maybe have got more from, Leipzig's form has been excellent.
Unbeaten since January, they've drawn at Bayern and knocked Tottenham out of the Champions League with wins in both legs. In those three highlighted games they conceded a grand total of zero goals.
However, three draws on the trot in the Bundesliga might just open up a glimmer of hope for Achim Beierlorzer's Mainz side.
Mainz themselves are in decent form too. They're unbeaten at home since facing Bayern in February, and like their opponents have had a couple of recent draws in the league. Wolfsburg put four past them before football took a long pause though, showing they are there to be got at if Leipzig can conjure up their usual quality.
Here's how these two have fared in their last five outings.
Mainz
Köln 2-2 Mainz (17/5)
Mainz 1-1 Fortuna Düsseldorf (8/3)
Mainz 2-0 Paderborn (29/2)
Wolfsburg 4-0 Mainz (23/2)
Mainz 0-0 Schalke (16/2)
RB Leipzig
RB Leipzig 1-1 Freiburg (16/5)
RB Leipzig 3-0 Tottenham (10/3)
Wolfsburg 0-0 RB Leipzig (7/3)
RB Leipzig 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen (1/3)
Schalke 0-5 RB Leipzig (22/2)
Prediction
It remains to be seen whether home advantage even exists in matches played behind closed doors, but perhaps it wouldn't matter here anyway.
Mainz are likely to avoid relegation this season, as they're in a strong enough position points-wise despite being in 15th place. But against Leipzig, they are up against a fluid and well-drilled system, manager and team. If the Leipzig starting XI don't kill Mainz, the Red Bulls' subs bench is sure to.
Prediction: Mainz 0-2 RB Leipzig