St. Pauli vs Mainz Prediction & Betting Tips (5 October)

Last year's 2.Bundesliga champion, Sankt Pauli returned to the elite last month after 13 long years of absence. The Hamburg-based club had great difficulty getting up to speed during the first weeks of the competition, suffering three defeats in a row against Heidenheim 0-2, Union Berlin 1-0 and Augsburg 3-1. Subsequently, the promoted team gained confidence by holding off Leipzig 0-0 and they confirmed their progress the following week by winning with authority against Friborg 0-3. Following this victory, St. Pauli managed to climb to 14th place in the ranking and exit the red zone.

Mainz, for its part, is a much more experienced team than its opponent at the highest level. That said, FSV did not go from relegation last year before saving itself during the last days of the season and they are of course hoping to experience fewer scares this year. For the moment, the Nullfünfer alternates between good and bad since the restart and it has 5 points after so many days. Defeated at home by Werder Bremen 1-2, the Mainz players were able to recover by winning at Augsburg 2-3 but they then fell back last week against Heidenheim 0-2. 

Several elements are missing among those promoted. These are the long-term injured Zoller and the replacement goalkeepers Ahlers and Burchert. Midfielder Wagner joined the infirmary a little more recently. Absent last week during the victory against Fribourg, the rather disappointing Morgan Guilavogui is applying for a place in the group. Last week, Tunisian striker Elias Saad stood out by scoring twice against Fribourg.

The other goal was the work of the Englishman Afolayan. Suspended last week during the defeat suffered against Heidenheim, the midfielder Amiri (2 goals) will be allowed to play again but it will be the turn of defender Hanche Holsen to be sanctioned after being sent off on the last day. Offensively, Mainz will be able to count on the services of striker Jonathan Burkardt who has already planted 3 times at the start of the season.