Hertha Berlin striker Vedad Ibisevic. (Photo : Getty Images)
Rising squad Hertha Berlin (9-5-2, 29 points) will look to continue their slow ascent up the league table as they face middling team FSV Mainz 05 (7-6-3, 24 points) at the Olympic Stadium on Sunday, December 20 for a 2015-2016 Bundesliga game.
Hertha demolished newly-promoted club SV Darmstadt 98, 4-0, last Saturday at the Merck-Stadion am Bollenfalltor for their second win in a row and fourth victory in their last five matches, as per SkySports.
Bosnian striker Vedad Ibisevic scored a double at the 12th and 50th minutes to lead the capital city squad, while teammates Marvin Plattenhardt and Salomon Kalou contributed a goal apiece at the 26th and 77th minutes en route to Die Alte Dame's blowout victory.
With the win, Pál Dárdai's squad is now at the third spot of the league table, but a long way behind league leaders Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund who are nine points away.
Meanwhile, Mainz settled to a goalless draw against bottom-dwelling team Stuttgart on December 11th at their home stadium of Coface Arena, via Goal.
Martin Schmidt's men were lacking energy during the match as they have allowed the Swabians to control the pace. Stuttgart actually almost scored twice during the match and Die Nullfünfer was fortunate that both shots hit the goal post.
Mainz is at the seventh spot of the league table and had been unbeaten in their last six outings.
The prediction is a close 2-1 victory for Hertha Berlin. The Blue-Whites are projected to extend their winning run to three games while giving Mainz their first loss after six matches.
Hertha Berlin starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Jarstein; Regasel, Langkamp, Brooks, Plattenhardt; Skjelbred, Lustenberger; Kalou, Darida, Weiser; Ibisevic
Mainz starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Karius; Brosinski, Bungert, Bell, Bengtsson; Baumgartlinger, Latza; De Blasis, Malli, Jairo; Muto
