Bochum vs Mainz

Bochum and Mainz 05 are set to trade tackles at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion in their first Bundesliga encounter since Februray 2010.

Bochum’s return to the Bundesliga following an 11-year hiatus saw them go down to a dramatic 1-0 away loss to Wolfsburg. As a result, they now stare at the prospect of losing seven consecutive top-flight matches for the first time since May 1999, having lost five in a row before suffering relegation a decade ago. A run of four successive home victories down the final stretch of the 2020/21 2 Bundesliga season might create a false sense of comfort within the Bochum camp. Indeed, ‘Die Unabsteigbaren’ have faced Mainz on more occasions in the Bundesliga without ever winning than any other opposition (D1, L5). Breaking that curse would also see Bochum avoid the risk of matching the club’s unwanted record from 1993 that saw them go winless in 15 consecutive Bundesliga fixtures. They are now on a run of 13 top-flight games without winning (D3, L10).

On the other hand, Mainz picked up where they left off last season, defying underdog status to beat RB Leipzig 1-0 at home on Matchday 1 despite missing 11 first-team players due to Covid-19 outbreak. A meteoric upturn in form saw Mainz become the first club in the Bundesliga history to avoid relegation after being eight points adrift of the relegation play-off spot midway through the 2020/21 season. Much of the credit to that notable rise has to be pinned on the visitors’ clinical displays in front of goal as they have now found the net in 11 straight Bundesliga fixtures, last scoring in more consecutive top-flight matches between January and April 2012 (13). Additionally, ‘Die Nullfünfer’ head into proceedings unbeaten in eight successive Bundesliga away games (W5, D3).