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Bundesliga football continues this season with the third round and we have an interesting duel between FSV Mainz and Hannover 96 at Coface Arena.
Mainz, who finished just 3 points over Hannover last season close to midtable, was shocked 1-0 by Ingolstadt in the first round – but rebounded with a superb win last week. Mainz managed to win in Monchengladbach, 2-1, something very few teams will be able to do this season – and they played pretty good football too, it wasn`t just luck. Now Mainz will come back at home looking to build on that victory and they have a rather accessible opponent.
Hannover 96 barely escaped relegation last year and they will surely be involved in a dogfight this season as well. The visitors have 1 point so far, a draw with Darmstadt in the first round, followed by a 1-0 home defeat to Leverkusen. Hannover is well known for its futility on the road, the visitors have always been a home team and struggled to get points away from home, playing rather shy and without killer instinct.
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Team news & lineups:
Mainz will have to do without Soto and Beister, while Hannover will miss Kiyotake and Erdinc.
Mainz: Karius – Brosinski, Bell, Bungert, Park – Frei, Baumgartlinger – Clemens, Malli, Samperio – Muto
Hannover: Zieler – Sakai, Marcelo, Schulz, Sorg – Schmiedebach, Sane – Karaman, Saint-Maximin, Klaus – Benschop
There isn`t a vast difference in quality between the two teams, but Mainz is overall the slightly better side and home court advantage will be very important, especially against a team like Hannover. Mainz has an excellent midfield with guys like Frei or Baumgartlinger – and against a team that is very shy on the road, I expect the hosts to be able to impose the rhythm and dominate possession. Hannover`s midfield is known to be their weak spot, so against a team that is solid in that department and away from home, they are expected to suffer.
We all know that the midfield battle makes the difference in football, so my tip here is Mainz to win. I believe the fair odds would be around 1.85-1.90 here, but we get over evens, which is great. Prediction: Mainz – Hannover 2-1.
Pick: Mainz
Odds: 2.03 @ Pinnacle
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 8.24
Event date: 29 August
