Darmstadt vs Mainz 05 Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Luck was once again against Darmstadt 98 in their dramatic 2-0 defeat away to Werder Bremen last weekend; world class saves from Bremen’s Felix Wiedwald, shots off the post, and incorrectly denied penalty appeals all went against the Lillies in another devastating blow to the 2015/2016 promotees. Sitting rock bottom of the Bundesliga, 11 points behind Hamburg and safety from automatic relegation, Darmstadt 98 have everything to fight for here.

Mainz 05’s 1-1 draw at home to Wolfsburg last weekend was nothing out of the ordinary. While European qualification again this season isn’t mathematically out of reach, Mainz have simply been too inconsistent to be considered potential candidates. Mainz’s season could well be considered over as relegation is no immediate threat either – no team with 29 points after 23 matches has ever been relegated.

Mainz are the favourites here at 6/5, but we feel backing the hosts “0.0 Asian Handicap” is actually the better option for the following reasons: simply put, this match represents everything for Darmstadt. Darmstadt’s 12 point total after 23 matches may be the worst record in the Bundesliga since the three point rule was introduced, which is not “undeserved”, but the Lillies have also been reasonably “unlucky” regarding results against the flow of play. Not to mention that the impressive 2-1 win at home to Dortmund in mid-February has shown that Darmstadt will fight hard while survival is still mathematically possible – Darmstadt get absolutely nothing out of a point here.

Darmstadt also don’t hold the worst home record in the Bundesliga (that honor goes to FC Ingolstadt). With four points taken against Dortmund and Borussia M’gladbach over their four matches at the Jonathan-Heimes-Stadion in 2017 (W1 D1 L2), the fans should also be in high spirits. Mainz, meanwhile, hold one of the worst away records in the Bundesliga (W3 D1 L7). The 05ers “travel-sickness” has seen them lose in six of their last seven on the road (86%) and their uphill battle for European qualification gives them a lot less to fight for.

Regarding a correct score bet, while the 05ers have failed to score in four of their last seven away matches (57%), it must also be noted that Darmstadt have conceded at least one goal in 83% of their matches at home. Combining that with Mainz’s huge 1.8 goals conceded per match average on the road, we feel there’s some decent value to be had in a 2-1 Darmstadt win at 11/1 with bet365.