https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇩🇪" title="Flag of Germany" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Germany"> If you& #39;re of a #WatfordFC persuasion and want a team to follow when the Bundesliga returns on Saturday, here& #39;s why you should back Mainz, Watford& #39;s Twin Town.

Thread (1/9) https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇" title="Down pointing backhand index" aria-label="Emoji: Down pointing backhand index">

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="📍" title="Round pushpin" aria-label="Emoji: Round pushpin"> Mainz is located towards the West of Germany, a short distance from Frankfurt.

Situated on the Rhine, it is the capital of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate with a population of 217,118. (2/9)

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🗞" title="Rolled-up newspaper" aria-label="Emoji: Rolled-up newspaper"> Watford and Mainz have been twinned since 1956, due to both towns& #39; prestigious role in printing press in their respective countries.

Here& #39;s a piece from Mainz& #39;s official website about the partnership: #c15">https://www.mainz.de/verwaltung-und-politik/partnerstaedte/watford.php #c15

Below;">https://www.mainz.de/verwaltun... the certificates of partnership https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇" title="Down pointing backhand index" aria-label="Emoji: Down pointing backhand index"> (3/9)

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🥳" title="Partying face" aria-label="Emoji: Partying face"> The partnership has flourished throughout the years. Here& #39;s the piece from @Observer_Owl commemorating the 50th anniversary of the partnership in 2006:
https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/1011524.flag-flies-high-for-twinned-towns/

(4/9)">https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/1011...

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⚽️" title="Soccer ball" aria-label="Emoji: Soccer ball"> So what of the football team?

The local team is 1. FSV Mainz 05

Founded: 1905
Kit Colours: Red and White
Nicknames: Die Nullfünfer (The 05& #39;s) & Karnevalsverein (Carnival Club)

Here& #39;s their English Twitter: @Mainz05en

And website: https://www.mainz05.de/en/ 

(5/9)">https://www.mainz05.de/en/"...

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🏟" title="Stadium" aria-label="Emoji: Stadium"> The club play their home games at the Opel Arena.

Opened: July 2011
Capacity: 34,034

They have never won any major domestic honours. (6/9)

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🏆" title="Trophy" aria-label="Emoji: Trophy"> The club have been playing in the Bundesliga since 2009/10.

Like Watford, this season they find themselves in a bit of a sticky situation, currently sitting one place above the relegation playoff place with nine games to play. (7/9)

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="📅" title="Calendar" aria-label="Emoji: Calendar"> Here are their remaining fixtures

You can watch their first game away to FC Cologne live on BT Sport 1, Sunday 17th, from 14:15 BST. (8/9)

So there you have it!

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark"> Twinned Towns
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark"> Similar history
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark"> Similar size
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark"> Similar seasons

All the reasons to be backing 1. FSV Mainz 05 for the remainder of the Bundesliga!

And if you don& #39;t; their mascot Johannes the Clown will kill you in your sleep. (9/9)