Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez has a habit of scoring against Mainz, and will be hoping to continue the trend this weekend. - © © DFL DEUTSCHE FUSSBALL LIGA / Alexander Scheuber
Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez has a habit of scoring against Mainz, and will be hoping to continue the trend this weekend. - © © DFL DEUTSCHE FUSSBALL LIGA / Alexander Scheuber

Matchday 22 statistical gems

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Mainz coach Martin Schmidt cast in a Mexican telenovela, Ralph Hasenhüttl as Rocky's Ivan Drago and Borussia Dortmund's Mad Max wannabes are some of the highlights in this week's Bundesliga Matchday 22 statistical preview.

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We could forgive 1. FSV Mainz 05 coach Martin Schmidt for murmuring, "Ayyy, otra vez no - not you again," like a troubled man from a Mexican telenovela this week. Mainz currently find themselves without a point or a goal in their last three away games – an unwanted first for the club. Facing a resurgent Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday is a tricky enough task for Schmidt & Co., but with their nemesis Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez back in the groove, the dance just got deadlier.

Watch: Highlights of Leverkusen's Matchday 21 win over Augsburg: 

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Since moving to the Bundesliga in 2015, Chicharito has taken to Mainz like a pit bull to a postman. No sooner had the El Tri striker signed for Die Werkself than he scored a maiden Bundesliga goal in a 1-0 win at home to the 05ers. The menacing Mexican's tally now stands at five strikes in three games against Leverkusen's opponents this Saturday, which includes a Matchday 5 hat-trick in his team's 3-2 win at the OPEL ARENA.    

Indeed, after enduring a spell as dry as the Chihuahuan Desert – in which Chicharito failed to score in 17 games for club and country – it's suddenly monsoon season for the Mexican. With five goals in his last three matches, Hernandez has hit the net more times in 2017 than the entire Mainz team. Well might coach Schmidt shake his fist to the skies while cursing, "El Diablo!"

- © imago

On Saturday, Leipzig - the Bundesliga's second-placed side - will be fighting to maintain a proud home record that includes just one loss this season. A former Cologne centre-forward, Hasenhüttl will also be quietly hoping his opposite number's away woes continue, with the Billy Goats, seventh in the standings, winning just one of their last five on the road.

- © imago / DeFodi
- © imago / Claus Bergmann