Mainz vs Samsunspor: who will hold on to a top-eight spot in the UEFA Conference League?
On Thursday, 18 December, we will witness a Matchday 6 clash in the UEFA Conference League, as Mainz host Samsunspor at home. Kick-off is scheduled for 21:00 CET, and I am offering a betting pick for this game.
Mainz vs Samsunspor: match facts and head-to-head
- Mainz are winless in seven consecutive matches: three draws and four defeats.
- Mainz have failed to keep a clean sheet in 11 straight matches.
- Samsunspor are without a win in six consecutive games: three losses and three draws.
- Samsunspor have gone six matches in a row without a clean sheet.
- In the Conference League, Samsunspor have scored ten goals, the second-best attacking record in the competition.
- Only 4% of Samsunspor’s matches this season have ended in a scoreless defeat, compared to 39% for Mainz.
- Just 13% of Mainz’s wins have come with a clean sheet, while Samsunspor stand at 22%.
- These two teams have never faced each other before.
Mainz vs Samsunspor: match preview
Mainz and Samsunspor are level on points in the UEFA Conference League standings, with both sides battling for a place in the top eight and a direct ticket to the round of 16.
Mainz have beaten Omonia 1–0, Zrinjski 1–0 and Fiorentina 2–1, while also losing 0–1 to Universitatea Craiova and drawing 1–1 with Lech Poznań in the most recent round. As a result, the German side sit on ten points with a goal difference of 5–3. Mainz’s attacking output has not been particularly impressive, but their chances of finishing in the top eight remain strong.
Samsunspor also have ten points after five rounds. The Turkish side lost their latest match 1–2 to AEK and drew 2–2 with Breidablik. They also recorded wins over Hamrun 3–0, Dynamo Kyiv 3–0 and Legia 1–0. Samsunspor boast a goal difference of 10–4, which is the second-best tally in the Conference League.
At present, Mainz occupy eighth place in the table, while Samsunspor sit fifth. The gap to the ninth-placed team is just one point, meaning a win in this match would virtually guarantee a direct place in the round of 16. The losing side will most likely have to compete in the preliminary knockout round of the Conference League.
Probable line-ups
- Mainz: Batz; Da Costa, Bell, Potulski; Nordin, Maloney, Sano, Lee; Nebel, Boving; Hollerbach
- Samsunspor: Kocuk; Yavru, Satka, Van Drongelen, Gonul; Makoumbou; Kilinc, Holse, Ntcham, Musaba; Mouandilmadji
Prediction
Mainz will host Samsunspor on home soil, and both teams are highly motivated to secure victory. We can expect an entertaining and intriguing contest, but I believe the German side will be able to make home advantage count. Therefore, my pick is a win for Mainz.
