Mainz 05 vs. St. Pauli preview: Huge three points up for grabs in basement clash | OneFootball

With both sides languishing near the foot of the table, this clash has all the hallmarks of a season-defining encounter. It may not yet be a must-win, but it certainly feels like a must-not-lose, with the outcome likely shaping the mood for both clubs heading into the winter break.

Despite propping up the table with just seven points, Mainz have shown encouraging signs of improvement under new head coach Urs Fischer at a time of desperate need. However, for the 05ers, “signs” alone will not suffice. Results are now imperative. Having gone ten straight league matches without a win, their current tally represents the club’s worst points return at this stage of a Bundesliga season.

The improvements continued to display themselves in midweek, as Mainz followed up an impressive 2-2 draw away at reigning champions Bayern Munich by beating Samsunspor 2-0 at home in their final Conference League group fixture. That victory snapped a seven-game winless run in all competitions and secured a top-eight finish, with Fischer’s system clicking effectively and Nadiem Amiri impressing in his new role behind the striker. It provided a timely boost in confidence ahead of a crucial home fixture on Sunday.

Despite the morale-lifting European success, Fischer is well aware that the real work lies on the domestic front:

“We have to accept our situation. It's a relegation battle. Yesterday we had something to gain, against St. Pauli you can lose something again. The lads have to carry the confidence they've built with them.”

St. Pauli arrive in Rhineland-Palatinate having halted the slide that saw them suffer nine consecutive league defeats by the end of November. Alexander Blessin’s side have sparked a mini-revival, taking four points from their last two matches and climbing to 16th place, level on points with 17th-placed Heidenheim. For the Kiezkicker, every point remains vital.

Their first league victory since September came last weekend in dramatic fashion, as they edged out fellow strugglers Heidenheim 2-1 at home despite playing the entire second half with ten men following Eric Smith’s dismissal. Summer signing Martijn Kaars netted his first Bundesliga goals to seal a crucial three points, and Blessin will be eager to build on that momentum by claiming another scalp against a direct rival.

The St. Pauli head coach has urged his side to maintain the intensity that has underpinned their recent upturn in form:

“We are still in a situation we want to fight our way out of. There can be no drop in pressure. The first steps have been taken, but we have to keep working and can't let up by even a single percentage point.”

History favours the hosts. Mainz won both meetings last season without conceding a goal, while their most recent home clean-sheet victory in the league also came against Blessin’s side in February. St. Pauli have not won in Mainz since 1994 and have not beaten Sunday’s hosts in any competition since 2009.

Team news

For Mainz, Robin Zentner, Philipp Mwene, Anthony Caci and Sota Kawasaki are all ruled out for the remainder of the calendar year.

Eric Smith is suspended for St. Pauli, while David Nemeth is their only injury concern.

Predicted lineups

Mainz 05 (3-5-2): Batz (GK) - Hanche-Olsen, Kohr, Potulski - Widmer, Sano, Nebel, J-S Lee, Veratschnig - Amiri, Hollerbach 

St. Pauli (3-5-2): Vasilj (GK) - Mets, Wahl, Dzwigala - Pyrka, Sands, Irvine, Fujita, Oppie - Pereira Lage, Kaars