SC Paderborn - Arminia Bielefeld

Paderborn to make it back-to-back wins

TEAM NEWS

Coach Steffen Baumgart has a fully-fit Paderborn team to choose from. 

Bielefeld are expected to be without midfielder Nils Quaschner, who is still recovering from a knee injury, while Roberto Massimo has problems with his thigh and will be out for the upcoming weeks. Goalkeeper Stefan Ortega is another player who is unavailable with a pulled muscle, while Sven Schipplock and Cedric Brunner both have knee problems and have been ruled out too. Joan Simun Edmundsson is suspended.

Paderborn

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: None

Bielefeld

Suspended: Joan Simun Edmundsson

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nils Quaschner, Sven Schipplock, Cedric Brunner (all knee); Roberto Massimo (thigh), Joan Simun Edmundsson (ligament), Stefan Ortega (pulled muscle)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Paderborn picked up a precious three points last weekend, thrashing Heidenheim 5-1 away at the Voith Arena. It was only Paderborn’s third league victory since mid-September, having lost two and drawn four since. Nevertheless, the newly-promoted side remain in an excellent position in Germany’s second-tier table, sitting in seventh, just three points off third-placed Union Berlin and the promotion/relegation playoff spot.

Bielefeld have had a disappointing two months, accumulating only one point from their last seven league games. After losing five league matches in a row, the team clinched an important point in a 1-1 draw away at bottom side Ingolstadt two weeks ago, but they lost 1-0 to Duisburg at Schuco Arena last time out. Nevertheless, Jeff Saibene’s men remain in 14^thin the table, but they are still only three points above the drop zone.

Paderborn are still unbeaten at home with two wins and five draws, and I believe they will edge this league match given Bielefeld's inability to win.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – HIGH

Both of Paderborn's last two home league matches have seen a plethora of total goals, averaging seven, with the side scoring the same number of goals themselves. I can see plenty of total goals in this clash at Benteler Arena, too.

HEAD TO HEAD

The sides have met only four times so far in league action at Paderborn, with both teams winning twice.

Erzgebirge Aue - Jahn Regensburg

Aue to get back to winning ways

TEAM NEWS

Goalkeeper Robert Jendrusch and defender Luke Hemmerich are the only injury absentees for Aue.

Jahn Regensburg's Oliver Hein and Sebastian Nachreiner are both out with knee injuries while Jonas Fohrenbach is out with an ankle problem. However, coach Achim Beierlorzer can still choose from a good squad for this league encounter.

Aue

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Robert Jendrusch (meniscus), Luke Hemmerich (ankle)

Jahn Regensburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Oliver Hein, Sebastian Nachreiner (both knee); Jonas Fohrenbach (ankle)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Daniel Meyer's first season in charge of 13^thplaced Aue has so far not gone according to plan, with the team winning only four and drawing two of their first 14 league matches, losing eight. No other team has lost more often in Germany's second division. The Viola have also lost their last three league matches straight since beating Bielefeld 1-0 at the end of October, with their latest defeat arriving away at Bochum, via a 2-1 scoreline.They are now only four points above the drop zone.

Jahn Regensburg have been one of the league’s in-form teams of late. After winning only one of their first five league matches (one draw, three losses), the side have now picked up four wins from their last nine and have drawn the other five, holding fourth-placed St. Pauli to a 1-1 home draw in the last round. Their excellent team spirit has made them hard to beat, but they were close to losing their last three away league games had it not been for five late goals within the last 15 minutes of these matches.

Despite their woeful form of late, Aue have claimed most of their points on home soil this term. In fact, ten of their 14 points have arrived on their own turf. With Jahn Regensburg relying on late goals to secure points on their travels, I'm going to risk backing the hosts here.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – ODD

Three of Aue's four league wins have come via a one-goal margin. A single goal could be enough to settle this one between these two, too. My money is going on odd total goals at Erzgebirgs Stadium.

HEAD TO HEAD

Aue have won their last three home league meetings against Jahn Regensburg, with the latest a 1-0 victory in October 2017. 

Hamburger SV - Union Berlin

Leaders to stop Union Berlin’s unbeaten run with home win

TEAM NEWS

Hamburg's long-term injured Gideon Jung, Jairo Samperio and Kyriakos Papadopoulos continue to be absent while Matti Steinmann has adductor problems and has been ruled out. Striker Hwang Hee chan is also out with a pulled muscle.

Union Berlin will once again be without the long-term injured Marc Torrejon and Felix Kroos.

Hamburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Gideon Jung, Jairo Samperio (all knee); Matti Steinmann (adductor), Hwang Hee chan (pulled muscle)

Union Berlin

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Marc Torrejon (calf), Felix Kroos (calf)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Hamburg are one of the in-form teams in the league at present, having won four and drawn two of their last six league matches. The side registered three straight win before the international break, seeing off Magdeburg 1-0, Cologne 1-0 and Aue 3-1. Their outstanding form has lifted them into the leading position of Germany's second tier with a three-point lead over second placed Cologne.

Union Berlin extended their unbeaten run to 13 league games with an easy 4-0 home victory over Greuther Furth two weeks ago. Urs Fischer’s team are certainly the draw specialists in Germany’s second tier with eight such results to their name, as well as five wins and no defeat. Their strong performances so far this season see the team occupy third place with 23 points, and they are trailing leaders Hamburg by only four points.

Hamburg have won three in a row with coach Hannes Wolf in the dugout, conceding only a single goal in the process and taking the top position in the second division. Although Union Berlin will be heading to Hamburg in fine fettle, I can see the hosts edging another win on their own turf here.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – LOW

Surprisingly, Hamburg and Union Berlin are among the lowest scorers in the division. The hosts have scored only 17 goals so far while the visitors have netted 19 in 13 league matches, with only four other sides notching fewer. Back this to be a low-scoring affair.

HEAD TO HEAD

These teams will meet for the first time in the league.

Dynamo Dresden - FC Ingolstadt 04

Three points for hosts at DDV Arena

TEAM NEWS

Dresden coach Maik Walpurgis has to find replacements for the injured Brian Hamalainen and Florian Ballas. Patrick Moschl is also out with an injury to his stomach muscles and the time of his return is unknown. 

Ingolstadt are without midfielders Christian Trasch and Joey Breitfeld, who could both be out until the end of the year with knee injuries, while Tobias Schrock will miss out with a thigh injury.

Dresden

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Florian Ballas (shoulder), Brian Hamalainen (adductor), Patrick Moschl (thigh)

Ingolstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Christian Trasch, Joey Breitfeld (both knee); Tobias Schrock (thigh)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Despite travelling to Cologne on a four-match unbeaten run, having won one and drawn three, Dresden were thumped 8-1 by their opponents at Rhein Energie Stadium in their latest league outing. It was an impressive performance by second placed Cologne and Dresden found themselves 6-0 down before finding the back of the net themselves in the 72^ndminute. Having secured 18 points from 13 league matches with five wins, three draws and five defeats, the team have now dropped down to 11^thplace, with eight points separating them from the relegation zone, and five from the top three.

Ingolstadt continue to sit rock bottom of the table, having failed to win any of their last nine matches in the league (three draws and six defeats). Since Stefan Leitl's departure and Alexander Nouri's arrival in the hot seat, Ingolstadt have suffered four defeats but have shown a slight uptrend of late with three draws in a row, including a 1-1 result at home against Bielefeld. 

Ingolstadt have not yet won away from home in the league this season, drawing two and losing four, and this league game at DDV Arena will no doubt be a tricky one. With that in mind, I’m backing a win for Dresden here.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – EVEN

All of Dresden and Ingolstadt’s last five league meetings have finished with even total goals. Expect even total goals here too.

HEAD TO HEAD

Ingolstadt remained unbeaten against Dresden last season, winning 4-1 at home and drawing 2-2 away.

FC Heidenheim - SC Paderborn

Draw seems possible between these two

TEAM NEWS

Frank Schmidt’s Heidenheim will have to do withoutTimo Beermann and Robert Glatzel.

Coach Steffen Baumgart has a fully-fit Paderborn team to choose from. 

Heidenheim

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Robert Glatzel (torn ligament), Timo Beermann (strip)

Paderborn

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: None

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Heidenheim picked up a valuable point in Hamburg away at St. Pauli in their most recent league outing. Before a ball was kicked at Millerntor Stadium, the hosts were the overwhelming favourites to secure the win, but Heidenheim opened the scoring in the 52^ndminute before they conceded the equaliser ten minutes later. Heidenheim have now alternated between wins and draws in their last six league matches and have won their last four straight on their own turf.

Paderborn have been very competitive since returning to Germany’s second tier from the third division. They have won four and drawn six of their first 13 league matches. However, Steffen Baumgart’s men have also lost three times, with all three coming away from home. Paderborn were involved in a very entertaining 4-4 home draw with Holstein Kiel in their last league outing despite leading 3-1 at half time. They have now drawn three and lost one of their last four league matches.

Both teams are in decent shape at the moment, so there is a good chance that the pair will cancel each other out.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – LOW 

The teams' only two league encounters back in 2015-16 ended 1-1. I predict another low-scoring draw here.

HEAD TO HEAD

The sides have met only twice so far in league action, with both encounters ending level.

Jahn Regensburg - FC St. Pauli

St. Pauli to pull off win over strong hosts

TEAM NEWS

Jahn Regensburg's Oliver Hein and Sebastian Nachreiner are both out with a knee injury while Jonas Fohrenbach is out with an ankle problem. However, coach Achim Beierlorzer can still choose from a good squad for this league encounter.

St. Pauli's Marc Hornschuh, Waldemar Sobota, Park Yi Young and Luca-Milan Zander are all injured and will not be available against Jahn Regensburg. The suspended Johannes Flum will not make the trip either.

Jahn Regensburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Oliver Hein, Sebastian Nachreiner (both knee); Jonas Fohrenbach (ankle)

St. Pauli

Suspended: Johannes Flum

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Marc Hornschuh (spinal disc), Luca-Milan Zander (ankle), Waldemar Sobota (pulled muscle), Park Yi Young (not fit)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Jahn Regensburg were starting to slip down the league table, but their 3-2 victory away at strugglers Magdeburg two weeks ago put them back on track and they are now sitting in seventh place with 20 points. Prior to claiming those three points, Achim Beierlorzer’s side had gone four league games without a win, drawing all four. Overall they are unbeaten in their last eight league fixtures in the second tier which is a new record in the club's history, winning four of those and drawing four.

Markus Kauczinski’s St. Pauli were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Heidenheim at Millerntor before the international break. With only four points separating them from leaders Hamburg, the side have enjoyed a strong season so far and have lost only one of their last eight league matches, drawing two and winning five. They are also unbeaten in their last four league fixtures on the road (three wins, one draw) and will be looking to grab another away win here.

Jahn Regensburg have been on a great run of late and they will no doubt do their best to frustrate St. Pauli. However, given the visitors' recent form on their travels, I’m siding with an away win in this one.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – HIGH

Jahn Regensburg have been involved in highly entertaining league matches recently, with two of their last three featuring five and six total goals respectively. Overall, their 13 league matches have averaged 3.4 total goals. I can see plenty of goals between these two sides too and predict a high-scoring league encounter.

HEAD TO HEAD

Jahn Regensburg have won their last two league meetings against St. Pauli at Continental Arena. 

SV Darmstadt 98 - 1.FC Köln

Cologne to continue good form with second win in a row

TEAM NEWS

Darmstadt’s Rouven Sattelmaier is out with knee injury while Felix Platte is expected to be sidelined due to a foot problem. 

Cologne's Nikolas Nartey is sidelined with a foot injury while Christian Clemens has ruptured his ligaments and is out for the upcoming weeks. Jonas Hector and Lasse Sobiech have suffered injuries during training and are not expected to recover in time either.

Darmstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Rouven Sattelmaier (knee), Felix Platte (foot)

Cologne

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nikolas Nartey (foot), Christian Clemens (ligament rupture), Lasse Sobiech (broken toe), Jonas Hector (knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Darmstadt had enjoyed a revival in recent weeks, winning two and drawing one of their three league matches, before crashing to a 1-0 defeat to Bochum at Vonovia Stadium just before the international break. Overall though, the Lilies have played only an average season so far with five wins, two draws and six defeats and they are in 12^thwith 17 points. However, it is important to note that 13 of those have been secured on their own turf – in fact, Darmstadt have the joint second strongest home record in the league.

Cologne thrashed mid-table side Dresden in an impressive 8-1 victory at home last time out. It was a league game in which the club's top scorer Simon Terodde scored three times. The player has now increased his tally to 16 goals overall. The win moved Cologne back into second place in the league table where they boast the best goal difference with +14. The team also have the strongest attack with 32 goals scored so far. 

Cologne will be boosted by their overwhelming win before the international break and will be looking to follow this up with a second straight success against another mid-table side. My money is going on the away win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – COLOGNE

Cologne have scored the opening goal in three of their last four away league matches. I’ll be backing them to net the opener this weekend too.

HEAD TO HEAD

The only league meetings between these sides have taken place in Germany's top flight, with Cologne winning six and drawing two. They are yet to lose in this head-to-head.

VfL Bochum - Erzgebirge Aue

Hosts to grab back-to-back home wins

TEAM NEWS

Bochum’s long-term injury absentees Jannik Bandowski, Milos Pantovic, Silvere Ganvoula, Sebastian Maier, Maxim Leitsch and ThomasEisfeld are all expected to miss out again, but Stefano Celozzi is set to return to training next week.

Goalkeepers Robert Jendrusch and Martin Mannel are the only injuryabsentees for Aue.

Bochum

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Jannik Bandowski, Milos Pantovic, Thomas Eisfeld (all knee); Sebastian Maier (groin), Silvere Ganvoula (stomach), Stefano Celozzi (pulled muscle), Maxim Leitsch (pubis)

Aue

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Robert Jendrusch (meniscus), Martin Mannel (knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Bochum are slowly but surely hitting their stride, having lost just one of their last six league matches, winning two and drawing three in the process. Robin Dutt’s troops returned to winning ways against Darmstadt before the international break, with Tom Weilandt scoring the winning goal after an excellent solo to give his side a 1-0 victory at Vonovia Stadium. Bochum are now fifth and are sitting only three points behind third placed Union Berlin.

Aue were in decent shape before crashing to two successive defeats before the international break. After losing 1-0 to Heidenheim away from home, the Viola were then thumped 3-1 by leaders Hamburg two weeks ago. As a result Aue are still languishing in the bottom half of the league table with 14 points. They have won only once on the road, drawing once and losing five times, with no other team registering more away defeats. In fact, only rock-bottom outfit Ingolstadt have secured fewer points on their travels this season. 

Bochum have been in good shape of late while Aue fell to two defeats before the international break and have been poor travellers. My money is going on a home victory here.

SECOND PREDICTION: CORRECT SCORE – 1-0

Bochum have kept clean sheets in all of their four home wins in the league, with three of those ending 1-0. Back another 1-0 home triumph here.

HEAD TO HEAD

Aue have won none of their last seven league meetings, losing four and drawing three. 

Holstein Kiel - SV Sandhausen

Holstein Kiel to make home advantage count

TEAM NEWS

Holstein Kiel's Arne Sicker, Mathias Honsak and Philipp Sander are sidelined, as is striker Aaron Seydel who is out with a heel injury.

Sandhausen’s Tim Knipping, Nejmeddin Daghfous, Tim Kister and Ken Gipson are all out with different injuries. 

Holstein Kiel

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Arne Sicker, Philipp Sander (both unspecified); Mathias Honsak (broken arm), Aaron Seydel (heel)

Sandhausen

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Tim Knipping (broken foot), Nejmeddin Daghfous (calf), Ken Gipson (shoulder), Tim Kister (broken foot)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Holstein Kiel were involved in a very entertaining 4-4 draw away to Paderborn in their most recent league match before the international break, with Kingsley Schindler (two goals), Alexander Muhling and Janni Serra hitting the back of the net for them. That result has moved Tim Walter’s men back into tenth position with a positive +1 goal difference. They are unbeaten in their last four league games but have won only one of those, drawing the other three. Given Sandhausen's struggles this season, this is a league game the home side will want to win and having scored a respectable two goals on average on their own turf, they should be able to claim the three points.

Sandhausen are only above 16^thplaced Duisburg on goal difference. It has been a poor start for the team who finished their last league campaigns in 11^thand tenth place respectively despite a very low budget. Coming off a scoreless draw at home against Duisburg, Sandhausen have won just two, drawn four and lost seven of their 13 league fixtures thus far and they have not won on the road since late September.

Holstein Kiel have been impossible to beat on home soil so far this season, winning two and drawing four of their six home league matches, and they will back themselves to pick up another three points at Holstein Stadium this weekend.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – EVEN

All of Holstein Kiel and Sandhausen’s last three league encounters have finished with even total goals. I’m backing a repeat of this here.

HEAD TO HEAD

Holstein Kiel are yet to win in this head-to-head, having drawn three and lost one of the only four league meetings with Sandhausen. 

Greuther Fürth - FC Magdeburg

Draw seems possible between the pair

TEAM NEWS

Greuther Furth's Yosuke Ideguchi, Daniel Steininger, Maximilian Wittek and Nik Omladic won't feature because of injury while Shawn Parker has undergone tooth surgery. Maximilian Sauer is suspended after his fifth yellow card.

Magdeburg boss Jens Hartel will not be able to count on Rico Preissinger and Joel Abu Hanna, who are out injured. 

Greuther Furth

Suspended: Maximilian Sauer

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Yosuke Ideguchi, Daniel Steininger (both knee); Nik Omladic (thigh), Shawn Parker (tooth), Maximilian Wittek (eye)

Magdeburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Rico Preissinger (foot), Joel Abu Hanna (rupture)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Since their 3-2 win away at Bielefeld in mid-October – a result that allowed them to climb into second place in the league table – Greuther Furth have taken just one point from their last three league fixtures and have now slipped back down to eighth. The Shamrock lost 4-0 at Union Berlin in their most recent league outing two weeks ago, but they will have felt hard done by due to several refereeing mistakes. Despite that comprehensive defeat, Greuther Furth are still in touch with the top three, trailing third placed Union Berlin by only three points.

Magdeburg crashed to their fourth defeat in a row last time out, losing 3-2 at home to Jahn Regensburg, with the winner arriving in the 90^thminute. Since beating Sandhausen 1-0 at Hardtwald Stadium last month, Magdeburg have taken just one point from the last 15 on offer. They have slipped down to 17^thplace in the table and are one point from safety.

Greuther Furth have been solid at home this term, but they have collected a lot of draws (four), winning only two and losing none on their own turf, while Magdeburg have predominantly been registering draws too, with six of their 13 league matches ending level (along with one win and six losses). I fancy another draw here.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST HALF HAD – DRAW

Five of six of Greuther Furth’s home league games have been all square at the break as have eight of Magdeburg's 13 overall. I expect another first-half draw.

HEAD TO HEAD

These teams will meet for the first time in the league.

Arminia Bielefeld - MSV Duisburg

Bielefeld to get back to winning ways

TEAM NEWS

Bielefeld are expected to be without midfielder Nils Quaschner, who is still recovering from a knee injury, while Roberto Massimo has problems with his thigh and will be out for the upcoming weeks. Goalkeeper Stefan Ortega is another unavailable player with a pulled muscle, while Sven Schipplock and Cedric Brunner both have knee problems and have been ruled out too. Joan Simun Edmundsson is suspended.

Duisburg’s Christian Gartner is expected to be out for the remainder of the year. Joseph-Claude Gyau, Cauly Oliveira Souza and Sebastian Neumann have suffered fresh injuries and are not available either.

Bielefeld

Suspended: Joan Simun Edmundsson

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nils Quaschner, Sven Schipplock, Cedric Brunner (all knee); Stefan Ortega (pulled muscle), Roberto Massimo (thigh)

Duisburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Christian Gartner (knee), Joseph-Claude Gyau (foot), Sebastian Neumann (hip), Cauly Oliveira Souza (ankle)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Jeff Saibene’s Bielefeld came from behind to seal a 1-1 draw over bottom side Ingolstadt two weeks ago. It was a much-needed point for the team after losing five league games in a row. They have struggled to make the Schuco Arena a fortress this season, winning just two of their league fixtures on home soil, along with one draw and three losses, and are only three points above the relegation zone. 

Sitting in 16^th, Duisburg remain in the drop zone despite winning one and drawing two of their last three league games. Their scoreless stalemate at Sandhausen last time out was their fourth league draw of the campaign. Since Torsten Lieberknecht arrived on the scene in early October, Duisburg have picked up two wins, two draws and only one defeat in five league games. However, their abysmal start to the campaign with six losses and two draws means the Zebras are still threatened by relegation.

Bielefeld have had a poor run of results of late, but I can see them bouncing back after the international break. Both teams are desperate for points, but I will pick the home side to win this one.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – BIELEFELD

Bielefeld have opened the scoring in each of their last two home league matches. Back them to score the opening goal here too.

HEAD TO HEAD

The teams have identical statistics in their last four league meetings, with one win each and two draws.

VfL Bochum - SV Darmstadt 98

Hosts to take the spoils in tight league game at Vonovia Stadium

TEAM NEWS

Bochum’s long-term injury absentees Jannik Bandowski, Milos Pantovic, Silvere Ganvoula, Sebastian Maier and Thomas Eisfeld are all expected to miss out again while Stefano Celozzi is expected to return to training next week.

Darmstadt’s Rouven Sattelmaier is out with knee injury while Felix Platte is expected to be sidelined due to foot problems. Fabian Holland is unavailable due to a suspension.

Bochum

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Jannik Bandowski, Milos Pantovic, Thomas Eisfeld (all knee); Sebastian Maier (groin), Silvere Ganvoula (stomach), Stefano Celozzi (pulled muscle)

Darmstadt

Suspended: Fabian Holland

Doubtful: None

Injure d/unavailable: Rouven Sattelmaier (knee), Felix Platte (foot)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Bochum have had a mixed bag of results this season, but despite sitting in eighth they are still in touching distance of the promotion/relegation playoff place, with only four points separating them from third placed Cologne. Bochum have collected ten of their 17 points at Vonovia Stadium with three wins, one draw and two defeats. Robin Dutt’s side only secured a 3-3 draw with Jahn Regensburg in their most recent home league match, despite being 3-1 up until the 77^thminute. They followed that result up with their third draw in a row, away at Greuther Furth, which saw them again 2-0 up at half time before conceding two goals in a 2-2 draw.

Dirk Schuster’s Darmstadt have shown improvement in recent weeks, drawing one and winning two of their last three league contests. The team are coming off a 3-1 victory at home over Magdeburg. Overall though, they have only made an average start to their campaign, winning five, drawing two and losing five.

Having been close to winning their last two, Bochum will be desperate for a victory here. It will not be an easy league game for them, but I can see the home team edging it.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST HALF HAD – DRAW

Bochum have been level at the break in two of their last three league games and Darmstadt have been drawing at half time in 50% of their league matches. Expect the first half to finish in a draw here too.

HEAD TO HEAD

Bochum have won two of their four home league meetings with Darmstadt, with the others ending in a draw and a defeat.

FC Magdeburg - Jahn Regensburg

Magdeburg to claim their first home win

TEAM NEWS

Magdeburg boss Jens Hartel will not be able to count on Rico Preissinger, Mergim Berisha, Romain Bregerie and Joel Abu Hanna, who are out injured. Dennis Erdmann is suspended after his two yellow cards against Darmstadt last weekend.

Jahn Regensburg's Oliver Hein and Sebastian Nachreiner are both out with a knee injury. However, coach Achim Beierlorzer can still choose from a good squad for this league encounter.

Magdeburg

Suspended: Dennis Erdmann

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Rico Preissinger (foot), Joel Abu Hanna (rupture), Mergim Berisha (ankle), Romain Bregerie (calf)

Jahn Regensburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Oliver Hein, Sebastian Nachreiner (both knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Magdeburg have struggled for wins this season, picking up just one whilst drawing six and losing five. The team have started very slowly under boss Jens Hartel, beating only struggling Sandhausen 1-0 in round eight. After losing 3-0 away at Heidenheim in mid-October, they fell to a disappointing 1-0 home defeat against giants Hamburg and then suffered a third league defeat (3-1) in a row to Darmstadt at Bollenfalltor in their most recent outing. It is no surprise the pressure is beginning to rise for Hartel and he is in urgent need of positive results. 

After a run of three wins and four draws from their last seven league games, Jahn Regensburg have shot up to ninth place in the league table. Achim Beierlorzer’s men have only been beaten three times this term (four wins, five draws), which is a very good result given that they almost have the lowest budget in the league. However, four draws on the bounce have cost them a better position as they are trailing the top three by only four points. 

Despite being undefeated since mid-September, Jahn Regensburg have conceded too many easy goals recently and their defence have made too many mistakes. This is the perfect opportunity for Magdeburg to take advantage of a porous opposition backline and to win their first home league match. Take a punt on a home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST HALF HAD – DRAW

Seven of Magdeburg's 12 league matches have been level at half time, as have Jahn Regensburg's last two league games. I predict a first-half draw in this encounter too.

HEAD TO HEAD

These sides have only met in the third tier two seasons ago, with Jahn Regensburg winning 2-1 away and drawing 1-1 at home.