Bochum vs. Mainz 05 preview: Henriksen's side continue European qualification bid

Mainz 05 will continue their bid to secure European qualification when they travel to Vonovia-Ruhrstadion for Saturday's Bundesliga contest.

Photo by Neil Baynes/Getty Images

Bochum

Mainz are sitting in fifth place and just two points adrift of the top four after winning seven, drawing four and losing four of their 15 league matches. Bo Henriksen’s side carried significant momentum into the winter break, claiming five wins in their final six league outings of 2024. They kicked off that run of form with a 3-1 win over Borussia Dortmund, before they recorded back-to-back victories over Holstein Kiel and Hoffenheim. After being stopped in their tracks by a 4-3 loss to Wolfsburg, Mainz bounced back to claim a memorable 2-1 victory over Bayern Munich, before they claimed a 3-1 win against Eintracht Frankfurt in their final outing of 2024.

Die Nullfünfer will be looking to pick up from where they left off in Saturday’s meeting with relegation-threatened Bochum. After winning their last three home games, Mainz are hoping to claim four consecutive home league victories for the first time since March 2023. They will certainly fancy their chances of picking up all three points, having won each of their previous three home games against Bochum.

Team News

Gabriel Vidović is ruled out with an ankle injury, while Nadiem Amiri will serve the first game of a two-match ban.

Bochum

Bochum are languishing at the bottom of the Championship table after winning one, drawing three and losing 11 of their 15 matches. Die Unabsteigbaren are sitting four points adrift of the relegation playoff spot and eight points away from safety altogether. While they may be in a perilous position, Bochum experienced a positive end to 2024, getting the better of Heidenheim to claim their first Bundesliga win of the season. Moritz Broschinski and Matúš Bero grabbed a goal apiece to fire Dieter Hecking’s side to a 2-0 victory. 

After enjoying success at the Vonovia-Ruhrstadion before Christmas, Bochum will now look to kick off 2025 by claiming their first away win of the Bundesliga season. That may be easier said than done due to the fact that Bochum have taken just one point from eight top-flight away games this season. They are also yet to win at Mainz in the 21st century, with their most recent away win taking place in December 1999.

Team News

Bochum are unable to call upon Mats Pannewig and Koji Miyoshi due to injury and suspension respectively.