1. FSV Mainz 05 2026/27 season preview: Transfers, pre-season, predicted lineup and predictions

FSV Mainz 05 has set their sights on a successful 2026/27 season, after a rocky start under former head coach Bo Henriksen. The club secured European football just a season prior and, under new manager Urs Fischer, has shown significant improvement. Fischer quickly took charge and led the team to a solid 10th-place finish in the 2025 season, escaping relegation and reaching the quarter-finals of the Conference League.

The pre-season campaign was impressive, with the team winning seven out of eight fixtures and scoring a total of 38 goals across those games. Key contributors in attack included Philipp Tietz, Sheraldo Becker, and new signings Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer.

In the transfer window, Mainz have made shrewd moves, bolstering their squad while maintaining the core. New faces such as Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer, Eric Martel, and Fabio Gruber joined on free transfers, while Alexander Schwolow returned to Germany after playing for Hearts in Scotland. Some key players, including Nikolas Veratschnig and Daniel Batz, departed on permanent deals.

The predicted starting lineup for the upcoming season is expected to remain unchanged, with Kaishu Sano and Nadiem Amiri forming the backbone of the team. Under the 3-5-2 formation, Mainz appears well-positioned to secure another mid-table finish in the Bundesliga. Fischer's experience and the team's strong core should enable them to compete effectively. With no European football to distract them, Mainz can focus on their domestic campaign and potentially challenge for a higher table position.