| PROBABLE LINE-UPS |
MAINZ  Wetklo Pospech, Bungert, Svensson, Fathi Caligiuri, Kirchhoff, Soto Ivanschitz N. Muller, Allagui | BAYERN MUNICH  Neuer Boateng, Van Buyten, Badstuber, Lahm Luiz Gustavo, Kroos Robben, Muller, Ribery Gomez |
Mainz captain Nikolce Noveski is sidelined with a thigh injury, with Niko Bungert and Bo Svensson expected to start in central defence. Marcel Risse is also out, as well as long-term casualty Adam Szalai. Eugen Polanski, meanwhile, is suspended.
The big question mark over Bayern's team is how Thomas Muller will be restored to the starting line-up. In all likelihood, he will slot in as the attacking midfielder behind centre forward Mario Gomez, meaning that Toni Kroos will drop back to defensive midfield. His partner in the second No. 6 position will be either David Alaba or Luiz Gustavo, as Anatoliy Tymoshchuk is suspended and Bastian Schweinsteiger remains sidelined with injury.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
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Mainz took three points from Stuttgart in their last match, ending a nine-game winless streak.
- FSV have conceded in all but two matches this season.
- At this point last season, Thomas Tuchel's men were second in the league table, seven points ahead of Bayern. They are now in 15th place, 16 points behind the Bavarians with a game in hand.
- Bayern Munich have lost two of their last five games in the Bundesliga.
- The league leaders have conceded just five times, and are on pace to shatter their previous record of 21 goals conceded in a season.
- The Bavarians have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last four matches in all competitions.
Mainz have struggled all season, and in spite of their slip-up last weekend, Bayern are a force to be reckoned with: their rebound win over Villarreal in the Champions League proved as much. A win for the visitors is expected: the real question is the margin of victory.
Editor's Prediction
Mainz 0-3 Bayern Munich 
