Relegation Battle Reignites: Mainz Host Wolfsburg in Crucial Bundesliga Showdown
Bottom-placed Mainz will host mid-table Wolfsburg in a pivotal Bundesliga clash. For Mainz, it's a crucial relegation battle, as they desperately need points to climb out of the danger zone, while Wolfsburg aims to solidify their position and avoid being drawn into the fight for survival.
Match Background & Qualification Scenarios
This Bundesliga Matchday 19 fixture holds significant importance for home side Mainz. They currently sit 17th in the league table, entrenched in the automatic relegation spots and four points adrift of safety, having secured only two victories all season. Under new manager Urs Fischer, appointed on December 7, 2025, Mainz initially enjoyed a six-match unbeaten run across all competitions, but this streak was broken with a 1-2 loss to Cologne in their last outing. Their home form has been relatively stable, with only one defeat in their last seven competitive matches at the MEWA Arena.
Visiting side Wolfsburg currently occupies 11th place with 19 points, holding a six-point cushion over the bottom three. While Wolfsburg has shown improvement under new head coach Daniel Bauer, their start to 2026 has been shaky, including a humbling 1-8 defeat to Bayern Munich and a recent draw against Heidenheim. They will be looking for a win to consolidate their league position and steer clear of the relegation battle.
Recent Form
Mainz has endured a poor run in their last five Bundesliga matches, recording 1 win, 3 draws, and 1 loss. Their results include a 1-2 away loss to Cologne, a 2-1 home win against Heidenheim, a 2-2 home draw with Union Berlin, a 0-0 home draw against St. Pauli, and a 2-2 away draw against Bayern Munich. Wolfsburg, on the other hand, has a record of 2 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses in their last five Bundesliga outings. Their recent results are a 1-1 away draw with Heidenheim, a 2-1 home win against St. Pauli, an 1-8 away loss to Bayern Munich, a 3-4 home loss to Freiburg, and a 3-1 away win against Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Key Players & Injury News
Mainz's attack will heavily rely on their top scorer Nadiem Amiri, who has netted 5 league goals and 8 overall this season. Paul Nebel and Jae-sung Lee are also crucial figures in Mainz's offensive efforts. However, Mainz is grappling with significant injury concerns, with N. Veratschnig (hamstring), A. Hanche-Olsen (muscle), P. Mwene (groin), Robin Zentner (groin), Anthony Caci (tendon), and Maxim Leitsch (thigh) all expected to be sidelined until early or late February. Sota Kawasaki (hip) and Phillip Tietz (back) might return in early to mid-January, while long-term absentees include Maxim Dal (cruciate ligament) and Niklas Tauer (cruciate ligament).
For Wolfsburg, Mohamed Amoura leads the scoring charts with 6 league goals. Dženan Pejčinović (5 league goals) and Patrick Wimmer (3 league goals) will also be key attacking threats. Wolfsburg also has several players on the injury list, including Dženan Pejčinović (ankle), Jonas Wind (hip), Joakim Mæhle (shoulder), and Rogério (muscle), all targeting a late January to early February return. Mattias Svanberg and Jenson Seelt are out with illness. Furthermore, long-term absentee Bence Dárdai (cruciate ligament) is out until July, and Kilian Fischer (ankle) and Denis Vavro (muscle) may still be recovering. Maximilian Arnold is also a potential absentee due to disciplinary points.