Mainz – Strasbourg: a clash of the unbeaten for a place in the last four 
On Thursday night, the MEWA Arena is set to be rocking for a huge first-leg Conference League quarter-final. Mainz host Racing Club de Strasbourg in a meeting between two sides that haven’t tasted defeat in weeks. For Mainz and Strasbourg alike, the target is obvious: build a decisive lead before the return leg in Alsace.
Mainz, the Urs Fischer revolution 
Mainz look a completely different outfit these days. For a long time they were staring down the barrel in the Bundesliga, but now they’re sitting pretty in mid-table. Since Fischer took charge, Mainz are unbeaten in eight straight matches. The doom and gloom of early in the season feels like ancient history now.
Driven by Tietz finding the net, Mainz recently blew Hoffenheim away. At home, they’re a proper fortress, especially in Europe, where they’ve won every game this season. The plan is simple enough: suffocate Strasbourg early and head into the second leg with a cushion.
Strasbourg, the Racing side that won’t buckle 
From the French side, Strasbourg arrive in Germany brimming with confidence. They haven’t lost in 10 matches in all competitions. Gary O’Neil has given Strasbourg a new edge, and they’ve become a nasty side to face away from home. They’re unbeaten in Europe this season too.
After seeing off Nice recently, Strasbourg will fancy their chances on the other side of the Rhine. Against the home storm, their defenders will probably need to dig in and ride out the heavy spells from Mainz. But Strasbourg have the tools to hit on the break and pull off a proper smash-and-grab at the MEWA Arena, which has been one of their trademarks this year.
Likely line-ups
Mainz 05 : Batz ; Da Costa, Posch, Kohr ; Widmer, Nebel, Sano, Lee, Mwene ; Sieb, Tietz
Strasbourg : Penders ; Doue, Omobamidele, Doukoure, Chilwell ; El Mourabet, Oyedele ; Yassine, Nanasi, Godo ; Enciso
Football prediction Mainz vs Strasbourg
Mainz win
This showdown between Mainz and Strasbourg pits two teams in red-hot form against each other, but the battle in the trenches could prove decisive on Thursday.
Mainz are in total control at the MEWA Arena and right now they look to have the edge physically as well. Strasbourg have enough about them to stand up to it, and they’ve shown real steel throughout their European run, but the home crowd should drive Mainz on to force the issue. Expect a tactical scrap, with Mainz eventually finding a way through to nick it by the odd goal against Strasbourg.
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