Mainz 05 — Bayer 04 : Match Preview and Prediction for October 18,2025

Mainz 05: Current Form and Struggles

Mainz enjoyed a stellar previous season, but following their 6th-place finish, Bo Henriksen’s squad has struggled significantly to find their footing this year, remaining a shadow of their former selves. The sole consistent threat has been Amiri, responsible for a significant portion of their goals, though his individual brilliance isn’t enough to secure victories.

Recent Performance and Team Challenges

Mainz headed into the international break on the back of two consecutive league losses. While a 0-2 home defeat to Borussia Dortmund might be justifiable, the surprising 0-4 rout by newly promoted Hamburg was definitely unexpected. The team seemed to suffer from fatigue after a demanding Conference League fixture in Cyprus against Omonia (a 0-1 loss), struggling to cope with their third game in a single week. Fortunately, the break arrived opportunely, although the overall performance level of the hosts remains subpar. For this upcoming fixture, Mainz will be without Caci, Dahl, and their primary goalkeeper Zentner, all sidelined due to suspensions.

Bayer 04: Navigating a Rebuilding Phase

Bayer Leverkusen is currently undergoing a significant transitional period following the departures of key figures like Wirtz, Xabi Alonso, Frimpong, Xhaka, and several other important players. Given this extensive squad rejuvenation and a change in managerial leadership, it will prove challenging for ‘Die Werkself’ to uphold their previously established high standards and league positions.

Squad Changes and Recent Performances

Interestingly, Erik ten Hag’s spell in Leverkusen was brief, as he was dismissed after only two fixtures due to a perceived lack of connection with his players. Kasper Hjulmand has since taken over, aiming for a more stable period. Prior to the international break, ‘Die Werkself’ extended their impressive unbeaten streak to seven matches. While a 1-1 home draw against PSV in the Champions League wasn’t an ideal result, they secured a comfortable 2-0 league victory over Union Berlin before the hiatus and currently sit within the top five. The trip to Mainz presents a challenge for the visiting side, yet they appear to be progressively adapting to the new coaching philosophy and squad dynamics. For this encounter with Mainz 05, Leverkusen will miss Palacios, Saracco, Tare, and Terrier, while Lucas Vázquez, Quansah, Schick, Tella, and Tillman are listed as questionable. Such a significant number of potential absences from the rotation could be problematic.