Mainz against Cologne: promoted challenge and coaching debut!
On August 24th, 2025, 1. FC Köln will meet Mainz 05 in the season opener. Forecasts and betting odds point to an exciting game.

Mainz against Cologne: promoted challenge and coaching debut!
On August 24, 2025, 1. FC Köln will meet 1. FSV Mainz 05 at the start of the season in the Bundesliga. Like that Betting base According to reports, Cologne has only won one opening game as a promoted team, in 2005 against exactly this opponent. But whether coach Łukasz Kwasniok's team will allow a similar exception this season remains exciting.
The game will take place in the MEWA ARENA and kick-off is at 3:30 p.m. Mainz have earned a lot of respect through an impressive run of 13 unbeaten league games in their own stadium. Mainz coach Bo Henriksen was able to bring some positive aspects into the preparation despite a defeat in the Europa Conference League playoff first leg against Rosenborg Trondheim. So the chances are good that the team is well prepared on the pitch.
Form and forecasts
The betting providers see Mainz as favorites for the encounter with a win rate of 1.91. Those too Sport.de is sure that a home win for Mainz is on the agenda. Mainz collected a total of 52 points last season and finished the season in sixth place. For Cologne, who celebrated a convincing 4-0 win against Atalanta in preparation, the record of Mainz's last five games, where there was only one defeat, could be important.
The fact that the direct balance between Mainz and Cologne was even doesn't make things any easier. In 38 competitive games, both teams achieved 13 wins and 12 draws. In the last five duels, each team won once, with three draws, whereupon the n-tv points out. While Mainz have often been good for goals this season, Cologne can also rely on their offensive strength and have been victorious in the last four games.
Betting options and odds
It's worth taking a look at the odds for betting fans: Mainz will win at 1.90, while a draw is at 3.75. The win for Cologne has the highest odds at 4.10. This puts the guests under pressure to expect more than just a draw right at the start of the season. The betting providers also offer odds for at least two goals from Mainz at 1.85, which suggests that they are expecting a high-scoring encounter.
In summary, it can be said that the opening game between Mainz and Cologne offers many interesting facets and will keep both spectators and betting fans on the edge of their seats. It remains to be seen whether Cologne can turn things around and convert the positive preparation time into a good point win.