Mainz 05 vs Werder Bremen: A win for the home team

In week 27 of the Bundesliga, Mainz will play Werder Bremen at the MEWA Arena on Saturday, April 8.

The hosts are currently on a terrific run of form and are making a late push for a European place. In their most recent match, Mainz defeated RB Leipzig 3-0, with three individuals scoring in a clinical display. With 40 points after 26 games, Mainz is ninth in the league table.

Werder has recently battled for form, but they remain confident of remaining in the top division. In their most recent encounter, they were defeated 2-1 by a resurgent Hoffenheim. Werder was already two goals behind until Amos Pieper came off the bench 15 minutes from time to cut the deficit in half. With 31 points, the visitors are 11th in the Bundesliga.

The form and home support for the home team makes Mainz the favourite to win the game. 

The hosts have been fantastic in 2023 and might achieve an improbable European qualifying in May. Mainz currently has the division's longest undefeated streak, with 17 points from a possible 21 in that span.

Borussia Dortmund is the only team that has a better record in the Bundesliga in 2023, sparking a surprise championship push for a European spot from a team that was languishing in mid-table during the mid-season break.

Mainz defeated RB Leipzig 3-0 away from home last weekend, moving them within one point of Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA Europa Conference League. Considering the fact that only Bayern Munich and Dortmund have triumphed at the MEWA Arena, it can be deduced that Mainz enjoys playing at home, especially against teams not at the summit of the Bundesliga table. 

Mainz 05 possible starting lineup:

Goalkeeper: Zentner

Defenders: Fernandes; Bell, Hanche-Olsen; 

Midfielders: Widmer, Barreiro Martins, Kohr, Stach, Caci; 

Strikers: Ingvartsen, Ajorque

Werder, on the other hand, has been unimpressive since the turn of the year. The away team has only one victory in their past seven games. This run has kept the team not yet certain of Bundesliga football next season. However, a nine-point buffer gives Werder Bremen some breathing space but the team needs to play better. Only relegation-threatened Bochum has surrendered more than Werner's 50 goals this season.

Just one clean sheet in ten of Werder Bremen's away games shows that it is very likely for Werder Bremen to concede some goal(s). Werder Bremen also possesses some threats in the form of Niclas Fullkrug who has 15 goals in the Bundesliga. 

Werder Bremen's possible starting lineup:

Goalkeeper: Pavlenka; 

Defenders: Weiser, Stark, Veljkovic, Friedl, Jung; 

Midfielders: Gross, Schmidt, Bittencourt; 

Strikers: Fullkrug, Ducksch

Mainz has won four of the past five meetings between the sides, scoring 11 goals in the process. Mainz has won five of their last seven games. They are undefeated in their last five home league games.

Bremen, on the other hand, has lost three of its past four games and won only one of its last seven. They have recently struggled on the road, and the trend may continue. The home side will win the fixture with a 3-1, 2-1, or 1-0 scoreline. 

Below are the expert's bets to consider. 

• W1 for 1.798 odds (1xbet);
• Over 2.5 goals for 1.68 odds (Coinplay);
• Over 9 corners for 1.90 odds (bet365)