Strong progress under Svensson

Two famous Champions League-winning German coaches first earned their stripes in the dugout at Mainz. But the best points-per-game Bundesliga record in club history belongs to someone else. Since taking charge of the 05ers, Bo Svensson has notched up an average of 1.58 points per game and revived the team's fortunes. 

At times it seemed like the excitement surrounding the long-time underdogs had faded somewhat. After Mainz finished in fifth and seventh place in the Bundesliga in 2011/12 and 2014/15 respectively, qualifying for the Europa League and even making it to the group stage of the competition in 2016/17, more difficult times set in. The 05ers finished between 12th and 15th in the table four seasons in a row, as other clubs surpassed them. In the 2020/21 season, with only six points after 14 matchdays, the threat of relegation seemed more serious than ever before. Then Svensson came along, picked up 32 points in the second half of the season and comfortably steered the club to safety. In his first full season as head coach, Mainz achieved a top-half finish in the table for the first time in six years, as they ended the campaign in eighth place.

However, it doesn't look like they've hit their ceiling just yet. Three wins - all away - from the first five games and a draw against the impressive 1. FC Union Berlin have brought Mainz to fifth place in the table at this early stage. That said, Svensson's side have gone about their business in a low-key manner, with five goals scored and five conceded in their first five games.

Bo Svensson has won all three of his previous encounters with TSG Hoffenheim as head coach of Mainz. TSG will do everything in their power to change this on Saturday - and in doing so put a dent in Svensson's point average and his team's imperious form.

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