1. FSV Mainz 05 vs. FC Bayern Munich preview: Champions aim to add gloss to record-breaking campaign | OneFootball

With the title already secured, Bayern arrive with little left to prove - but plenty still to achieve in what has been a remarkable season. Mainz, meanwhile, will hope to capitalise on any drop in intensity from the newly crowned champions as they look to finish the campaign strongly.

Following their UEFA Conference League exit at the quarter-final stage, Mainz can now fully focus on their Bundesliga run-in. Currently 10th on 34 points, Urs Fischer’s side have enjoyed a resurgence in the second half of the season, climbing from the foot of the table to mid-table stability under the Swiss coach.

They earned a dramatic point away at Borussia Mönchengladbach last time out, trailing deep into stoppage time before Nadiem Amiri converted a 98th-minute penalty to snatch a draw. The midfielder has been central to Mainz’s revival and took his league tally to 11 goals despite missing five matches earlier in the campaign.

Bayern arrive fresh off sealing their 35th Bundesliga title and booking their place in the DFB-Pokal final, with Vincent Kompany’s side continuing to rewrite the record books. Their relentless attacking output has already seen them break the Bundesliga single-season goals record, underlining their dominance.

Their first final place since 2020 was secured with a 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday, thanks to goals from the prolific Harry Kane - who now boasts 51 goals in all competitions - and Luis Díaz.

However, Bayern’s attention may soon turn to Europe, with a UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain looming on Tuesday. Rotation could therefore come into play, although Kompany has downplayed suggestions of looking ahead:

“The Mainz game is no warm-up but a Bundesliga fixture. We want all three points. I believe Urs Fischer would do the same in my position. It could be that there are changes as we manage workload. The important thing is that we’re ready to play our best.”

H-2-H record

The reverse fixture ended in a 2-2 draw - Urs Fischer’s first league game in charge - when a late Harry Kane penalty rescued a point for Bayern. The champions have won three of the last five meetings, though Mainz have enjoyed recent success in April clashes, winning the last three encounters between the sides in that month.

Mainz’s home form has been particularly strong, with just one defeat at the MEWA Arena across all competitions in 2026. Bayern, meanwhile, are unbeaten away from home since November.

Team news

Mainz 05: Benedict Hollerbach, Silas, Robin Zentner, Jae-sung Lee and Maxim Leitsch remain sidelined. 

FC Bayern: Lennart Karl, Tom Bischof and Serge Gnabry are unavailable, while rotation is expected following the midweek cup fixture.

Predicted lineups

Mainz 05 (3-5-2): Batz (GK) - da Costa, Posch, Kohr - Caci, Nebel, Sano, Amiri, Mwene - Becker, Tietz 

FC Bayern (4-2-3-1): Urbig (GK) - Stanišić, Kim, Itō, Davies - Kimmich, Goretzka - Olise, N’Diaye, Guerreiro - Jackson