Football Bet of the Day: Sandro's boys can avoid defeat

Coach to enjoy reunion

Mainz v Hertha Berlin
Friday 16 September, 19:30
Live on Sky Sports YouTube and Betfair Live Video

Shamrock Rovers were more like Shambles Rovers last night, as the Irish Premier side crashed to a 3-0 defeat at Gent, and took us down with them. We'll head to Germany now, because there's a fascinating clash tonight in the Bundesliga between Mainz and Hertha Berlin.

Hertha boss Sandro Schwarz was a player and a coach for Mainz, and worked with Jürgen Klopp at the old Bruchweg Stadiom. He is now tasked with dragging perennial crisis club Hertha away from relegation danger, after his predecessor Felix Magath saved them in a relegation playoff last term.

Hertha have looked bright in their last two games, a 2-0 win at Augsburg and a 2-2 draw with Bayer Leverkusen. The return of forward Marco Richter after successful treatment for testicular cancer seems to have lifted the whole squad, and he has scored in back-to-back games.

Mainz have generally made a great start to the season, but they have suffered heavy defeats in two of their last three games, going down 3-0 at home to Mainz and 4-1 at Hoffenheim. It remains to be seen whether the team will be distracted by Brighton shortlisting coach Bo Svensson in their search to replace Graham Potter.

Mainz are 1.758/11 to win here, and I think that's too short against a Hertha side that is quickly improving.