FSV Main 05 vs. RB Leipzig 8/15/21 Bundesliga Soccer Pick, Odds, and Prediction

FSV Mainz is welcoming RB Leipzig to Opel Arena in round 1 of the German Bundesliga. Mainz ended last season in 12^th place with 39 points, and even though they were 4 spots above the relegation, it was a lot closer than it looks like. Leipzig was Bayern’s biggest competition last season, and they could very well be once again this season.

Mainz has had a solid preseason with 3 wins and 1 loss, and they have won their DFB Pokal match after a penalty shootout last week. In their 4 preseason games, Mainz has scored 6 goals while conceding 4 goals. Muller and Kunde left Mainz, and that is a huge blow for this team, but they have signed a couple of good players as their replacements, but it will take some time for them to get used to Bundesliga. There are no injuries in Mainz, but Stach is suspended because of the red card. Mainz has had some good moments last season, they have a few fantastic players, and I’m sure they can do better than 12^th place, and I think they will do better.

Leipzig has sold two of their best defenders, Upamecano who left for Bayern, and Konate who left for Liverpool, but they have signed some great players who will help them in the title run. Andre Silva arrived from Eintracht, Gvardiol from Dinamo Zagreb, and a few other players who will increase their depth. Leipzig hasn’t had a particularly good preseason with 1 win, 1 loss, and 1 draw, but they were successful in their DFB Pokal match last week. Leipzig has won that match 0-4. Saracchi and Henrichs are both injured for Leipzig. Leipzig will be playing in the Champions League, the DFB Pokal, and Bundesliga, and that could really put a strain on this team that has a new coach, new defense, and a bunch of new players. I’m not sure Leipzig has what it takes to take the throne from Bayern, and I don’t even think they will end above Borussia Dortmund, but they are certainly a team that will be hard to beat by anyone this season.

Mainz is on a 3-game winning streak at home, and a 3-game winning streak overall, but they have beaten Leipzig at home in only 2 of their 5 games. The trends are on Leipzig’s side in this matchup, and Leipzig is the better team, but I think Mainz will score at least 1 goal here.