The Matchday Preview

Another exciting Bundesliga weekend awaits. A top-of-the-table clash on Saturday afternoon, an evening in the Weser-Stadion, and a managerial debut in Bochum

Another exciting Bundesliga weekend awaits. A top-of-the-table clash on Saturday afternoon, an evening in the Weser-Stadion, and a managerial debut in Bochum.

Season Prediction Accuracy: 35/63 (55.56%)

Mainz 05 v Borussia Mönchengladbach

After a commanding 3-0 win over St. Pauli before the international break, Mainz 05 were brought back down to earth last weekend with a frustrating 2-0 home defeat to RB Leipzig. Despite an impressive performance - Mainz outshot Leipzig 17 to 11 and dominated possession - the visitors used their few opportunities with high efficiency.

Mainz currently sit in 11th place, roughly where they had hoped to be at this point in the season. However, their poor home form under Bo Svensson is concerning. While last season they earned 66% of their points from home matches, this campaign they've managed just 1 point from 4 fixtures at the MEWA-Arena.

They'll have another chance to secure their first home win of the season next Friday, when they host Borussia Mönchengladbach. Gladbach and their manager Gerardo Seoane breathed a collective sigh of relief last Saturday after a crucial 3-2 victory over FC Heidenheim. Seoane was under intense pressure heading into the international break, with his side sitting in 14th following a poor showing and defeat at Augsburg.

Things looked bleak after just 12 minutes when Leonardo Scienza put Heidenheim ahead, but Gladbach rallied to complete a comeback victory. A key figure in their turnaround was Tim Kleindienst, another newly-crowned German international. The 29-year-old netted twice against his former club—first with a trademark poacher’s finish, then with a coolly converted penalty. Kleindienst now boasts 5 goals and 1 assist in 7 matches, directly contributing to 60% of Gladbach's goals this season.

Prediction: Mainz 05 Win

VfB Stuttgart v Holstein Kiel

Hoping to take advantage of a Stuttgart side in turmoil are Holstein Kiel. Die Störche continue to struggle to kick-start their campaign in the Bundesliga, with their fourth home match of the season bringing their fourth defeat.