Mainz prepare for trip to impressive Koln
Recently promoted Koln host relegation threatened Mainz on Sunday afternoon, looking to continue as they left off before the suspension of the Bundesliga. Alexander Wehrle’s side were in fine form with four wins and two losses from their last six, some of those results particularly eye-catching. They beat Freiburg, Hertha Berlin and Schalke by four, five and three goals to nil in the space of four matches, the former being the most impressive. The 2018/19 Bundesliga 2 champions sit in tenth, 10 points above the bottom three and just five off the European spots, they have acclimatised brilliantly and are odds on favourites to get the win at Mungersdorfer Stadion.
Background
For a team struggling down the division, Mainz were on reasonable form before the break in play, picking eight points from their last six matches, picking up two goal scalps away to Hertha and hosting rock bottom Paderborn. In the form table of the last five outings Koln are sixth and Mainz a touch below them in eighth. Recent results will have little bearing on this encounter and with both sides capable of dominating proceedings.
Ones to watch
Two of the key players driving these two forward this season has been their frontmen, it will be interesting to see who has the more productive afternoon on Sunday, they are Jhon Cordoba and Robin Quaison.
Colombian striker, Cordoba, joined the hosts from Mainz for £15.3million in the summer of 2017. The 6ft 2in forward has performed better than his personal expected goals metric would suggest, banging in 10 league goals to chances only worth 6.13 xG, sixth place in the scoring charts. The 27-year-old contributed 20 goals and three assists in last term’s title win and has carried on that momentum very effectively, firing Koln towards a top half finish.
Sweden international Robin Quaison is having a career season in his fourth with Mainz. The dynamic forward has typically been deployed on the left wing this campaign and it is his most prolific for the club, bagging 12 goals and two lay ons, fourth top scorer in the divison. Only Jadon Sancho, Timo Werner and Robert Lewandowski have the found more frequently, Quaison has reached his total from just 9.33 xG, posing a huge threat against a brittle Billy Goats backline.
Both teams are better going forward than staying solid and that could lead to this one being an entertaining affair. Koln are stronger and more consistent however Mainz will be a constant threat and need to pull away from the drop.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
The nerves were jangling when Koln threw away a two goal lead in the second half, relinquishing the chance to push into the top half. However we still came through with a winning double, 2-2 it finished.