Wolfsburg vs Mainz 05

1. Core Players & Star Quality

Wolfsburg 
• Strong creative and attacking base: Amoura (10G, 9A), Wind (9G, 3A), and Arnold (3G, 5A) drive productivity. 
• Defense centered around Vavro (2G, 2,462 mins) and Koulierakis (2,470 mins, 2A), with GK Grabara reliable (29 starts). 
• Midfield depth provided by Gerhardt, Svanberg, and Vini Souza (new arrival), though consistency varies. 
• Creativity spread but reliance on Amoura/Wind for scoring edge. 

Mainz 05 
• Key stars include Jonathan Burkardt (18G, 2A), Paul Nebel (10G, 4A, suspended), and Hollerbach (9G, 0A, injured). 
• Strong midfield support from Jae-Sung Lee (7G, 6A) and Amiri (7G, 5A) ensures multiple creators. 
• Defensive reliability anchored by Caci (7A) and Zentner (32 starts in goal). 
• Attack has high output but depth weakened by suspensions/injuries. 

2. Departures Impact

Wolfsburg 
• Loss of Tiago Tomás (6G), Patrick Wimmer (3G, 4A), and Jonas Wind’s reduced minutes slightly reduces frontline options. 
• Depth in wide areas weakened with Kaminski gone, limiting rotation. 

Mainz 05 
• Lost Burkardt (18G) — a massive hit to scoring power. 
• Departures of Amiri (7G, 5A) and Hong (rotational depth) cut creative midfield supply. 
• Squad now far more reliant on Hollerbach, Lee, and Nebel (currently unavailable). 

3. New Player Integration

Wolfsburg 
• Added Vini Souza (defensive midfield enforcer) for stability. 
• Jesper Lindstrøm adds creativity but is currently injured. 
• Zielinski (GK) and youth reinforcements still untested at Bundesliga level. 
• Skov Olsen and Cerny add width options but limited minutes so far. 

Mainz 05 
• Hollerbach and Weiper key attacking inclusions (9G + 3G respectively). 
• Bos (LB), Schopp (CB), and Dal (CB) reinforce defense but are inexperienced. 
• Armindo Sieb (2G, 2A in 754 mins) and Weiper provide rotation attacking depth. 

4. Assists & Goals Output

Wolfsburg 
• Amoura (10G, 9A) is the main creative and scoring outlet. 
• Wind (9G, 3A) adds consistency in central attack. 
• Arnold (3G, 5A) and Mæhle (3G, 4A) provide midfield contributions. 
• However, scoring support from wide players is still patchy. 

Mainz 05 
• Burkardt (18G) was the top scorer, now departed. 
• Nebel (10G, 4A) suspended — major creativity loss. 
• Hollerbach (9G) also sidelined with injury. 
• Lee (7G, 6A) and Amiri (7G, 5A) remain key for goals/assists. 

5. Substitutes’ Experience & Depth

Wolfsburg 
• Sub depth includes Svanberg (3G, 1A), Kaminski, and Skov Olsen, but consistency is a concern. 
• Defensive depth with Bornauw and Jenz provides options, but injuries reduce availability. 
• Bench impact limited compared to Mainz. 

Mainz 05 
• Bench features Weiper (3G) and Sieb (2G, 2A) for attacking options. 
• Widmer adds veteran defensive depth. 
• Overall substitute experience decent, but without Burkardt/Nebel, impact is significantly reduced. 

6. Forecast & Expected Dynamics

1. Wolfsburg Advantage: More fit and available attackers (Amoura, Wind, Arnold), plus defensive structure intact. 

1. Mainz Challenge: Missing Burkardt (18G), Nebel (suspended), and Hollerbach (injured) leaves them blunt in attack. 

1. Likely Flow: Wolfsburg dominate midfield transitions and push via Amoura/Wind; Mainz forced into reactive play, leaning on Lee/Amiri for chances. 

7. Predicted Strength Balance

• Wolfsburg: ★★★★☆ (Strong) — attacking duo Amoura–Wind supported by Arnold, defensively reliable though lacking depth.
  • Mainz 05: ★★☆☆☆ (Below Average) — heavily weakened by suspensions/injuries, goalscoring responsibility falls too narrowly.

Projected Result: Wolfsburg win — likely 2–0, as Mainz’s depleted attack struggles to match Wolfsburg’s balanced squad.