Mainz 05 take on Bayern Munich in the last 16 of the DFB-Pokal on Wednesday evening, with the Bavarians hoping to win Germany's domestic cup for the 21st time this season.

Mainz have never made it to the final of the DFB-Pokal, having reached the semi-final in the 2008-09 campaign.

Match preview

Mainz 05's Lee Jae-sung celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on January 25, 2023 © Reuters

Indeed, that semi-final defeat to Bayer Leverkusen after extra time remains the furthest that Die Nullfunfer have made it in Germany's main domestic cup, despite remaining in the Bundesliga ever since being promoted in that same campaign.

As such, Bo Svensson must be ruing being drawn against Bayern at the last 16 stage this season, although the reigning Bundesliga champions' form has stuttered in recent weeks and it may prove to be a decent time to be facing them.

Svensson's side ended a winless run of six league games by beating VfL Bochum 5-2 on Saturday, which moved them seven points clear of their opponents, who currently occupy the relegation playoff spot in the table.

While beating Bayern is always a long shot for a team like Mainz, a packed MEWA Arena will be roaring their players on. Should they cause a major upset, they will be dreaming of going all of the way in this competition for the first time in the club's history.

Bayern Munich's Leroy Sane celebrates scoring their first goal with Josip Stanisic and Thomas Muller as Eintracht Frankfurt's Ansgar Knauff reacts on January 28, 2023 © Reuters

Bayern, meanwhile, drew 1-1 for the third successive league match since returning from the World Cup in the Bundesliga's Saturday night game, with Randal Kolo Muani rescuing a point for Eintracht Frankfurt in the 69th minute at the Allianz Arena.

Julian Nagelsmann's side's lead at the top of the table has been cut to a solitary point, with Union Berlin, RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund all on winning streaks and ramping up the pressure closely behind them.

As such, the opportunity to compete in a different competition and return to winning ways on Wednesday may be one which the Bavarians relish, even if Nagelsmann would openly admit that the DFB-Pokal is not his team's priority this season.

However, it remains a competition which the 35-year-old is yet to win, having lost to Dormund in the final with Leipzig two seasons ago before Borussia Monchengladbach overcame his Bayern outfit in the early rounds last season.

Bayern are a trophy-winning machine, with the club's hierarchy always reluctant to accept failure in any form, so anything less than victory on Wednesday would likely see Nagelsmann face huge scrutiny given his team's recent poor run of form.

Mainz 05 DFB-Pokal form:

Mainz 05 form (all competitions):

Bayern Munich DFB-Pokal form:

Bayern Munich form (all competitions):

Team News

Mainz 05 coach Bo Svensson on February 26, 2022 © Reuters

Mainz will be without Stefan Bell (muscle), Robin Zentner (back), Delano Burgzorg (ankle), Jonathan Burkardt (knee) and Marlon Mustapha (thigh) through injury on Wednesday.

Maxim Leitsch is likely to replace Bell after the defender came off in the 68th minute of his side's win at the weekend, while the likes of Anton Stach and Marcus Ingvartsen could be utilised from the start.

Bayern, meanwhile, will travel without Leon Goretzka, Noussair Mazraoui, Manuel Neuer, Lucas Hernandez, Sadio Mane and Bouna Sarr due to various injury issues, with Nagelsmann's options to rotate significantly decreased as a result.

Daley Blind will almost certainly make his debut for the club having been an unused substitute in each of Bayern's three matches following his move from Ajax earlier this month, while Serge Gnabry will expect to start having only come off the bench against Frankfurt on Saturday.

Mainz 05 possible starting lineup:
Dahmen; Hanche-Olsen, Leitsch, Hack; Da Costa, Stach, Barreiro, Caricol; Fulgini, Ingvartsen; Onisiwo

Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Ulreich; Pavard, Upamecano, De Ligt, Blind; Sabitzer, Gravenberch; Gnabry, Musiala, Coman; Tel

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We say: Mainz 05 1-2 Bayern Munich

Bayern will almost certainly travel to Mainz low on confidence given their recent run of draws, which has seen their healthy lead at the top of the Bundesliga almost evaporate.

However, the Bavarians are likely to have too much quality for their opponents even if Nagelsmann does rotate as expected ahead of a busy schedule, but Mainz should make their opponents work hard for their victory.

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