Mainz 05 vs. RB Leipzig Prediction, Match Preview, and Betting Tips, 13 September 2025

Get ready for an exciting Bundesliga clash on 13 September 2025 as Mainz 05 hosts RB Leipzig at the MEWA Arena. This fixture could set the tone for both teams early in the season, with Mainz sitting 13th in the league and Leipzig in 11th.

Both sides come into this match with varied results in their last five games. Mainz’s form has been a bit erratic with a Win-Loss-Loss-Win-Draw (WLLWD) record, while Leipzig’s Loss-Loss-Win-Loss-Win (LLWLW) shows their inconsistency.

Key players like Nadiem Amiri and Romulo Cruz, both top scorers with a goal each, will be worth watching. Injuries could play a significant role as Mainz are missing several key players, including goalkeeper Robin Zentner and Jae-Sung Lee.

Despite Leipzig being the bookmaker favourite, Mainz has shown they can frustrate stronger rivals with disciplined play. Expect a balanced showdown, making a draw a reasonable result.

Recommended bet: Draw. Both teams have shown a capacity to hold their own and score, hinting at a competitive match ahead.

Mainz 05 vs RB Leipzig Prediction & Betting Tip

• For this Bundesliga matchup on 13 September 2025, the recommended betting tip is a draw. Despite Leipzig’s resources and status as bookmaker favourites, both teams are likely to have a balanced showdown.
• Historically, Mainz has managed to frustrate stronger rivals with disciplined play, and both teams are scoring regularly.
• Consider the odds and recent performances to inform your bet.

• A draw is probable given the recent head-to-head pattern and current form of both teams.
• Mainz has shown they can keep things tight against formidable opponents, especially at home.
• With key players missing from both sides, a balanced and competitive match is expected, making a draw a valuable prediction.

Mainz 05 vs RB Leipzig Odds

Looking at the odds for the upcoming Bundesliga clash between Mainz 05 and RB Leipzig, it is clear that the bookmakers see this as a tightly contested match. Despite RB Leipzig being the bookmaker favourite, the odds indicate that a draw is also a strong consideration. With Mainz struggling to find consistent form and Leipzig bouncing back from a heavy defeat, anything can happen at the MEWA Arena.

Both teams have shown a propensity to score and could make this an unpredictable encounter. Leipzig’s status as favourites does not discount the effectiveness of Mainz’s disciplined play at home.

Mainz 05 Team Analysis

Mainz 05 Recent Performance WLLWD

Mainz’s recent form has been a bit of a mixed bag, with a record of Win-Loss-Loss-Win-Draw (WLLWD) in their last five matches. They’ve managed to score an average of 1.40 goals per game but have only kept one clean sheet in that span.

Their standout performance came against Rosenborg, where they clinched a dominant 4-1 victory in the Conference League Qualification. However, they also suffered a narrow 0-1 loss at home to FC Koln in the Bundesliga.

Notably, their draw against Wolfsburg showcased their ability to hold their own against strong opposition.

Injuries have plagued Mainz, with key players like Jae-Sung Lee and Robin Zentner sidelined, which could impact their defensive solidity at the MEWA Arena. Nonetheless, their disciplined play at home remains a formidable challenge for any team.

Mainz 05 Key Players

For Mainz 05, Nadiem Amiri will be a key player to watch. As the team’s top scorer with one goal this season, Amiri plays a crucial role in their midfield, blending creativity and finishing ability. Another important figure is their central defender Stefan Bell, who will need to marshal the backline effectively, especially with goalkeeper Robin Zentner out injured.

The expected lineup for Mainz 05:

• Goalkeeper: Lasse Rieß
• Right Centre Back: Danny da Costa
• Centre Back: Stefan Bell
• Left Centre Back: Dominik Kohr
• Right Midfielder: Anthony Caci
• Right Central Midfielder: Kaishu Sano
• Left Central Midfielder: Nadiem Amiri
• Left Midfielder: Phillipp Mwene
• Right Attacking Midfielder: Arnaud Nordin
• Left Attacking Midfielder: William Böving
• Centre Forward: Nelson Weiper

Expect some key individual battles, particularly Nelson Weiper up front against Leipzig’s defenders Willi Orban and Castello Lukeba. This clash will be vital in determining the attacking potency of both sides.

Mainz 05 Suspensions & Injuries

Mainz 05 are unfortunately dealing with several key injuries that could significantly impact their match against RB Leipzig. The most notable absentees include goalkeeper Robin Zentner, who is out with a back injury, and influential midfielder Jae-Sung Lee, sidelined with a hamstring issue.

Additionally, Maxim Dal is out with a cruciate ligament injury, while Benedict Hollerbach and Daniel Gleiber are also nursing injuries. These absences will undoubtedly test the squad depth of coach Bo Henriksen.

Suspensions add to Mainz’s woes, with Paul Nebel serving a two-match ban due to a red card. These absences will force Mainz to rely heavily on their bench and Under-23 squad, making it challenging to maintain their disciplined home performances. The absence of key players could tip the balance in favour of Leipzig, despite Mainz’s strong record at the MEWA Arena.

Mainz 05 Tactics and Formation

Mainz 05 will likely set up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, a system that has allowed them to balance defensive solidity with attacking intent.

Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 3-4-2-1
• Key Forward: Nelson Weiper
• Midfield and Wing Support: Nadiem Amiri, Arnaud Nordin, Anthony Caci, and Phillipp Mwene
• Defensive Backbone: Stefan Bell, Danny da Costa, Dominik Kohr

This formation gives them the width to stretch play and the numbers in midfield to control possession. Despite only keeping one clean sheet in their last five games, Mainz’s disciplined approach allows them to frustrate stronger opponents. Expect them to focus on compact defending and quick transitions to catch Leipzig on the counter-attack.

Their success will hinge on how well they can execute these tactics, especially with several key players missing.

RB Leipzig Team Analysis

RB Leipzig Recent Performance LLWLW

RB Leipzig’s recent form has been a bit inconsistent, as shown by their record of Loss-Loss-Win-Loss-Win (LLWLW) in their last five matches. Their average goals scored sits at 1.60 per game, slightly higher than Mainz’s, but they’ve also kept only one clean sheet, similar to Mainz.

They bounced back strongly with a 2-0 win against FC Heidenheim in their most recent Bundesliga match, after suffering a heavy 6-0 defeat to Bayern Munich.

Injuries could impact Leipzig’s midfield stability, with Ezechiel Banzuzi out due to a broken wrist, but their attacking trident led by Romulo Cruz should still pose a significant threat.

This inconsistent form indicates that while Leipzig has the firepower to win, their defensive vulnerabilities make them prone to unpredictable results.

RB Leipzig Key Players

For RB Leipzig, Romulo Cruz will be a central figure. As their top scorer so far, Cruz has the knack for finding the back of the net and will look to exploit Mainz’s defensive frailties. Another key player is Christoph Baumgartner, who operates in the attacking midfield role and orchestrates the team’s offensive play.

The expected lineup for RB Leipzig:

• Goalkeeper: Peter Gulacsi
• Right Back: Ridle Baku
• Right Centre Back: Willi Orban
• Left Centre Back: Castello Lukeba
• Left Back: David Raum
• Right Defensive Midfielder: Nicolas Seiwald
• Left Defensive Midfielder: Xaver Schlager
• Right Wing: Johan Bakayoko
• Attacking Midfielder: Christoph Baumgartner
• Left Wing: Antonio Nusa
• Centre Forward: Romulo Cruz

Watch out for the individual battle between Cruz and Mainz’s Stefan Bell, as this could be decisive in determining the attacking success for Leipzig.

RB Leipzig Suspensions & Injuries

RB Leipzig will have to navigate their fixture against Mainz 05 with a few notable absences. One of the key injuries is to Ezechiel Banzuzi, who is sidelined with a broken wrist and expected to return in early October. This will likely affect Leipzig’s midfield depth.

Other injury concerns include Benjamin Henrichs and Amadou Haidara, both nursing injuries but potentially returning by mid-September. Their recovery will be vital for maintaining squad rotation and defensive stability.

Currently, Leipzig has no suspensions, which offers some relief and allows coach Ole Werner to field a relatively strong side. However, the absence of these key players might necessitate tactical adjustments and increased reliance on their available squad members. This could be a factor against Mainz, who will look to exploit any weakness.

RB Leipzig Tactics and Formation

RB Leipzig is expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, a structure that balances defensive stability with attacking potency.

Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Romulo Cruz
• Midfield Structure: Nicolas Seiwald and Xaver Schlager as defensive mids, with Christoph Baumgartner pulling the strings in the attacking mid role.
• Defensive Backbone: Willi Orban and Castello Lukeba at centre back, flanked by Ridle Baku and David Raum.

This setup allows Leipzig to press high and control the midfield, using their wingbacks for additional width. Despite their inconsistent recent form, this formation has provided flexibility, helping them bounce back from setbacks like their loss to Bayern Munich. Key to their strategy will be maintaining positional discipline and exploiting transitions, especially with the attacking flair of players like Cruz and Baumgartner. Leipzig will aim to dominate possession and quickly recover the ball when lost.

Mainz 05 vs RB Leipzig Head-to-Head Statistics

The head-to-head record between Mainz 05 and RB Leipzig has been quite competitive over recent matches. In their last five encounters:

• 01 March 2025: RB Leipzig 1 – 2 Mainz 05
• 19 October 2024: Mainz 05 0 – 2 RB Leipzig
• 30 March 2024: RB Leipzig 0 – 0 Mainz 05
• 04 November 2023: Mainz 05 2 – 0 RB Leipzig
• 01 April 2023: RB Leipzig 0 – 3 Mainz 05

Mainz has a slight edge, having won three of the last five meetings. Interestingly, Leipzig has only managed to secure one win and one draw in the same period.

This pattern indicates that Mainz has the ability to frustrate Leipzig, especially at home. The previous encounter saw Mainz snatch a 2-1 victory at Leipzig, illustrating their capability to overcome stronger sides. For this upcoming game, expect another closely fought contest given the balance of recent head-to-head results.

Odds accurate as of 09.11.2025 14:31, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.