Mainz 05 vs. VfB Stuttgart: DFB-Pokal preview, team news & predicted lineups | OneFootball

Mainz

Mainz were edged out 2-1 by Stuttgart on Sunday, with Deniz Undav's late winner condemning Die Nullfünfer to a sixth league defeat of the season, keeping them in the relegation play-off place with just four points across their opening eight matches. 

Bo Henriksen's side have struggled to find consistency at both ends of the pitch, losing three of their last four matches while conceding 10 goals during that spell.

Mainz did manage to pick up a 1-0 win against Bosnian outfit Zrinjski Mostar in the UEFA Conference League last week, though they have lost their last four domestic matches at home. 

Added European football as a result of a sensational campaign last season is seemingly taking its toll on Henriksen's group thus far, with Bundesliga football now the clear priority. However, a strong reaction against the German cup holders would be a fantastic step in the right direction. 

Team News

Andreas Hance-Olsen is pushing for a start after appearing as a substitute in the loss against Stuttgart on Sunday. Young striker Nelson Weiper could also be given the chance to impress up top. 

Several regulars could also be rested, with the likes of Danny da Costa and Dominik Kohr expected to return to Henriksen's starting 11. 

Anthony Caci and Maxim Dal will remain unavailable until at least the new year.

Predicted lineup - 3-4-2-1: Riess - Da Costa, Bell, Kohr - Nordin, Sano, Amiri, Mwene - Nebel, Lee - Hollerbach

Stuttgart

The DFB-Pokal holders make the trip to Mainz in fine form after extending their unbeaten domestic run to five matches, keeping Die Schwaben third in the Bundesliga standings, after Sebastian Hoeneß's side have amassed 18 points across their opening eight matches.

VfB have won three of their last four in all competitions, with their only two losses since the September loss against Freiburg coming at the hands of Basel and Fenerbahce in the Europa League. 

Hoeneß's side have scored six and conceded just two across their last four, with Chris Führich and the aforementioned Undav netting against Mainz on Sunday to cancel out Nadiem Amiri's opener from the spot. 

Team News

Hoeneß is expected to make a few alterations from the weekend. Centre-back Ameen Al-Dakhil could be rested, with Ramon Hendriks likely to start in defence. Angelo Stiller may retain his place, while Bilal El Khannouss and Tiago Tomas may support Undav in attack.

Ermedin Demirovic, Justin Diel, Stefan Drljaca and Luca Jaquez remain out for VfB, while Sebastian Hoeneß confirmed in his press conference that he won't take any risks with Maximilian Mittelstädt, after the full-back has suffered from a knock over the last week. 

Dan-Axel Zagadou made his long-awaited return from injury against Mainz on Sunday, and will be in contention for a start at the Mewa Arena.

Predicted lineup - 3-4-2-1: Nübel - Jeltsch, Chabot, Hendriks - Assignon, Chema, Stiller, Leweling - Tomas, El Khannouss - Undav