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.