Mainz vs Borussia M. H2H, prediction and probable lineups — December 5, 2025
On Friday, December 5, in the 13th round of the Bundesliga, Mainz will host Borussia Mönchengladbach on their home turf. For a closer look at both teams, as well as a match prediction, read on in our preview.
See also: Lille vs Marseille prediction and betting tips 05 December 2025
Match preview
Mainz are going through a tough spell: after a crushing 0-4 away defeat to SC Freiburg, the club has sunk to the bottom of the table. It’s their worst start to a season in recent years, with just one win in 12 rounds, a shaky defense, and a sense of despair looming large. The six points collected so far forced the club’s management and head coach Bo Henriksen to mutually agree on contract termination. Benjamin Hoffmann, who previously coached Mainz’s reserve squad, will serve as interim manager. The home game against Mönchengladbach is a chance for the “05ers” to try and turn things around. At home, they often show resilience, and the “MEWA Arena” crowd provides that extra push.
Mainz will likely try to start aggressively: pressing from the opening whistle, attacking down the flanks, and making use of set pieces—they’ll want to score early, before Gladbach finds their rhythm. With a new coach at the helm, players may get a psychological boost, raising their chances for success.
Gladbach, on the other hand, are on a roll: the team is unbeaten in their last four Bundesliga matches, with three wins and a draw. The squad is well-balanced, and their defense looks much more solid than most in the league. In attack, the “Foals” can create through the flanks and midfield, and with swift transitions to counter-attack, they can punish Mainz for any mistakes—especially if the hosts push forward and leave gaps at the back. Over the last four league games, the team has conceded just one goal and climbed to 12th in the Bundesliga standings.
Knowing their opponent’s defensive struggles, Gladbach will likely start cautiously: focusing on ball control, dictating the tempo, and looking for opportunities through combinations—without taking unnecessary risks, especially in the first half. Their main threat will come from counter-attacks and capitalizing on turnovers, particularly when Mainz lose possession.
Probable lineups
Mainz: Riess; Da Costa, Bell, Hanche-Olsen; Widmer, Maloney, Sano, Veratschnig; Amiri, Lee; Hollerbach
Borussia: Nicolas; Scally, Elvedi, Diks; Castrop, Reitz, Engelhardt, Netz; Honorat, Neuhaus; Tabakovic
Match facts and head-to-head
- In the last five meetings, Mainz have two wins and three draws
- Mainz have lost three of their last five matches
- Borussia have won three of their last five games
Prediction
I expect a tense battle between two fairly evenly matched teams. Despite their poor run, I don’t see Mainz as the underdog here. It’ll be a tough game for Borussia and I anticipate a decent number of goals. My prediction: total over (2.5) at 1.66
