FC Koln vs Mainz 05 prediction 10.12.2023

• Date: 10.12.2023
• Competition: Bundesliga
• KO: 16:30 UTC / 17:30 CET
• Venue: RheinEnergieStadion (Köln)

Two sides struggling for Bundesliga form square-off on Sunday as FC Koln hosts Mainz at the RheinEnergieStadion.

FC Koln vs Mainz 05 Betting Tips - BTTS

A tight contest seems likely on Sunday with both of these sides in poor form this season. Currently occupying 15th and 17th place in the 18-team division, this fixture already has the feel of a relegation six-pointer.

Koln come into this potentially vital matchup having picked up eight points from their last six matches including three collected from a vital 1:0 win at Darmstadt earlier this month. Still, despite recent improvements, the hosts remain outside of the relegation places on goal difference only.

Mainz arrives in Koln having improved in recent weeks after a dismal opening period to the season. The visitors had taken just two points from their first eight fixtures before a four-match unbeaten run yielded six points. Unfortunately, Mainz would suffer a 1:0 home reversal last time out. Like Koln, despite some improvement in form, the visitors find themselves inside the drop zone as we approach the half-way point of the campaign. 

While low-scoring matches are fairly infrequent in the Bundesliga, both of these teams have seen under 2.5 goals scored in a large majority of recent fixtures. Indeed, both have seen under 2.5 goals in their last four league matches over the past month. 

Recent meetings between these sides have been high-scoring though, particularly in Koln with each of the last five contests seeing BTTS. Two of the last three at this venue also finished with five goals scored.

Given those contrasting stats, it's hard to be entirely confident about any selection this weekend. However, a low-scoring draw would deliver on both fronts - the under 2.5 goal pick (at good odds) and the BTTS choice (at a little lesser value). 

Ultimately, I fancy a low-scoring draw so I'll play it safe and stick on BTTS with an expectation we could see this one finish as a 1-1 share of the spoils.