Mainz vs Gabala
UEFA Europa League – Matchday 6
Date: Thursday, 8th December 2016,
Kick-Off at 18:00 UK
Venue: Coface Arena, Mainz.
UEFA Europa League – Matchday 6
Date: Thursday, 8th December 2016,
Kick-Off at 18:00 UK
Venue: Coface Arena, Mainz.
Mainz and FK Gabala are already out of the competition, they will be playing for pride when they meet at Mainz Arena on Thursday night.
Mainz 05 are among the Europa League group stage debutants this season. They are 3rd with 6 points in a group that also features Anderlecht and Saint Etienne. They are 3 points behind Saint Etienne and also down on away goals against Saint Etienne. However, the reverse of this fixture was won by Mainz 05 as they defeated Gabala 3-2.
Gabala have been poor throughout the group stage, having lost all their five games so far. They are on the bottom of the table with zero points from 5 games. They are the only side to lose all their five group games this season and may lose all 6 group games. It might interest you that Gabala have never won a Europa League group in their entire 11 attempts.
Mainz Predicted Starting Line-up
Missing Players
Emil Berggreen will not return in 2016 due to his knee injury, while Yoshinori Muto and Christian Clemens will need to pass late fitness tests.
Key Man
Talented 24-year-old Yunus Malli is a real gem for Mainz with his creative play in the final third; he will need to be on song here.
Team Form
They may only have lost one of their five Europa League matches to date, but unfortunately three draws means that they can’t catch St Etienne in second even if the French side lost at Anderlecht.
Expected Line-Up - 4-5-1
Qabala Predicted Starting Line-up
Missing Players
Rashad Eyyubov is suspended and will definitely miss out, with a handful of his teammates nursing knocks and niggles.
Key Man
Bagaliy Dabo has scored seven goals in eight appearances this term; the Frenchman can be lethal in front of goal.
Team Form
Not great, would be an apt description of Qabala’s form. Five losses in five Europa League matches – albeit none of those absolute hammerings – set the scene, while dropped points in the none-too-prestigious Azerbaijan Premier League to AZAL and Qarabag are an insight into their struggles.
Expected Line-Up - 4-5-1
Mainz vs Qabala Head-to-Head Stats
The only prior meeting between these two teams came in September’s sneak preview for this clash, which Mainz won 3-2.