Fortuna Düsseldorf - Greuther Fürth

Easy three points for runaway leaders Dusseldorf

TEAM NEWS

Dusseldorf will be without first ‘keeper Michael Rensing again while Gokhan Gul misses out with a head injury and Tim Wiesner is unavailable, too. They also have Benito Raman suspended.

Greuther Furth won’t have Mathis Bolly, Nik Omladic and Balazs Megyeri at their disposal.

Dusseldorf

Suspended: Benito Raman

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Michael Rensing (broken rib), Gokhan Gul (head), Tim Wiesner (unspecified)

Greuther Furth

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Mathis Bolly (muscle), Nik Omladic (foot), Balazs Megyeri (shoulder)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Dusseldorf’s three-match winning run in 2018 came to an unexpected end as they were beaten convincingly 3-1 by a very motivated Union Berlin side. The team struggled to adopt the same compact style of play as in their last three matches and were clearly overrun at the end of the second half. Despite scoring the first goal of the match in the first part of the game, they conceded two quick goals within four minutes from one another in the second half and although there were still over 20 minutes left to play Dusseldorf never found a way back into the game. However, this is a match the home side will have to win as they host weak travellers Greuther Furth.

Curiously, Greuther Furth have been far superior at home than on their travels this season, with only three of their 23 points secured on away turf. Furth are in fact coming off a 1-0 home win against Dresden and they have the fifth best home record in the 2. Bundesliga. Away from home they are still winless, however, and have only been able to claim three draws in their 11 away matches. No one seems to be able to explain what is going on with Furth, but with such a bad record away from home, it is reasonable to assume that they will be a 3. Bundesliga outfit next season.

Dusseldorf have taken more points at home than on the road, and they are coming up against a Furth side who have the poorest away record in the league. Therefore, I’m predicting a home win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – DUSSELDORF

Dusseldorf should get off the mark first in this match as they have done in five of their last seven meetings with Greuther Furth on their own ground. This weekend’s visitors have conceded the opener in two of their last three league matches on the road. I think that trend will continue here.

HEAD TO HEAD

Dusseldorf have beaten Greuther Furth six times at home and have clinched four draws. They have never lost in front of their own fans against these opponents but succumbed to a 3-1 defeat in their most recent encounter in Furth earlier this season.