#M05TSG: Crossing carnival expected

Did you know that…

…Mainz are in very good form?

Only Borussia Dortmund (15) have picked up more points in the second half-season than 1. FSV Mainz 05 (12); only in 2006/07 have Mainz restarted more strongly after the winter break, with 13 points. Their tally of 16 goals scored in five matches is also the highest in the league.

…the 05ers have rediscovered their home strength?

Having won only one of their opening eight home games this season, the men from Mainz have been victorious in their last three appearances on home turf. Bo Svensson’s team scored at least three times in each of those wins in front of their own fans.

…eight TSG players registered a goal involvement in the reverse fixture?

The 4-1 victory in the reverse fixture saw not only four different Hoffenheim players find the net, but four different players set up the goals too. Andrej Kramarić, Grischa Prömel, Munas Dabbur and Pavel Kadeřábek got on the scoresheet, with Georginio, Christoph Baumgartner, Angeliño and Angelo Stiller claiming the assists.

…both teams rely on crosses?

Both Mainz and Hoffenheim have delivered 226 crosses from open play this season – a tally surpassed only by 1. FC Cologne (289) and Union Berlin (257). Hoffenheim have scored seven goals from those crosses, while Mainz have netted five times.