Hamburger SV - FC Heidenheim

Hamburg to make it three wins in a row

TEAM NEWS

Christian Titz’s Hamburg are at full strength ahead of this clash at Volkspark Stadium. Only the long-term injured Gideon Jung, Jairo Samperio and Kyriakos Papadopoulos are absent.

Frank Schmidt’s Heidenheim will have to do without defenders Timo Beermann, Arne Feick and Mathias Wittek.

Hamburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Gideon Jung, Jairo Samperio (all knee)

Heidenheim

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Timo Beermann (calf), Mathias Wittek (knee), Arne Feick (ankle)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

After crashing to a 3-0 home defeat in their season opener, Hamburg are starting to find their feet this season. The side have secured back-to-back league wins over the past two league rounds, beating both Sandhausen and Bielefeld 3-0, but their last league outing against Dresden before the international break was postponed. A home league match will be seen by the team as a welcome opportunity to close the gap to early leader Cologne, who are four points above them. 

Frank Schmidt’s in-form Heidenheim were beaten for the first time this season a fortnight ago when they lost 1-0 at Voith Arena to second placed Darmstadt. Prior to that, Heidenheim had seen off Dresden in a 3-1 victory and had drawn 1-1 with Bielefeld and Holstein Kiel, scoring the opening goal in both those matches. Heidenheim are unbeaten on the road with one win and one draw. 

Hamburg have flown out of the gates in their last two league matches this season, scoring their first six goals of the campaign after drawing a blank in the opening league game. I think their fine form is likely to continue this weekend and predict this to finish in a home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – HIGH 

All of Hamburg's three league matches this season have seen three total goals. Given their fantastic scoring form over the past two rounds and the fact that Heidenheim have found the net in three of their four league games, I predict another high-scoring encounter with at least three total goals.

HEAD TO HEAD

The teams have never played each other before.

Union Berlin - MSV Duisburg

Union to make it three home wins in a row on Friday

TEAM NEWS

Union Berlin will once again be without the long-term injured Suleiman Abdullahi and Sebastian Polter - additional are Fabian Schonheim, Marc Torrejon and Joshua Mees unavailable.

Duisburg’s John Verhoek has a shoulder issue which will keep him out of this clash on Friday. Meanwhile, Enis Hajri is recovering from an ankle injury while the long-term injured Christian Gartner is expected to be out for the remainder of the year.

Union Berlin

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Sebastian Polter (Achilles), Suleiman Abdullahi (ankle), Fabian Schonheim (knee), Marc Torrejon, Joshua Mees (both pulled muscle)

Duisburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Christian Gartner (knee), Enis Hajri (ankle), John Verhoek (shoulder)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Despite beating Aue 1-0 and St. Pauli 4-1 at Alte Forsterei, Union Berlin have only managed to draw with Cologne and Sandhausen on the road. Union were the better of two average teams two weeks ago against second-from-bottom Sandhausen, but they did not find the net in that 0-0 draw despite creating the biggest chance two meters from goal with Grischa Promel failing to score the winner. 

Duisburg are one of just four teams yet to pick up a win in the league after succumbing to a 1-0 defeat at home against Greuther Furth in their last league outing. They have lost all four league matches without scoring a single goal and are unsurprisingly sitting at the bottom of the table. However, Iliya Gruev’s side did record a 1-0 victory over lower-division outfit TuS Dassendorf in the cup last month – their only competitive win so far since the start of the new term.  

Union Berlin will be looking for a big victory in this one and I predict a comfortable home win on Friday.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – UNION BERLIN

Duisburg haven’t managed to open the scoring so far in their four league games while Union Berlin have been first team on the scoresheet in both of their home league matches. Expect that pattern to continue.

HEAD TO HEAD

The teams have met only four times in league action over the course of the last five years, with their two league meetings last season both ending level. During the 2015-16 league campaign, Union Berlin and Duisburg both registered a home win. 

Jahn Regensburg - Dynamo Dresden

Jahn Regensburg to edge tight game on home turf

TEAM NEWS

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

Dresden have signed Maik Walpurgis as head coach during the week - but he had not much time to train with the team and has additional to find replacements for the injured Tim Boss, Soren Gonther, Jannik Muller and Florian Ballas. 

Jahn Regensburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

Dresden

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None 

Injured/unavailable: Tim Boss, Marco (pulled muscle), Soren Gonther (knee), Florian Ballas (shoulder), Jannik Muller (foot)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Four rounds into the new season, Jahn Regensburg have so far had a mixed bag of results, winning one, drawing one and losing two. After holding Holstein Kiel to a goalless stalemate at Continental Arena two weeks ago, the team were beaten 5-3 at Bielefeld before the international break despite drawing 3-3 until the 87^thminute. Nevertheless, they are unbeaten in their two league matches on home soil (one win, one draw) and if they can maintain that form keeping their second-division status next season should not be a problem.

Meanwhile, the last month has not been easy for Dresden. After beating Duisburg 1-0 in their opening league game at DDV Stadium, they lost 2-1 to Bielefeld and 3-1 to Heidenheim and are now sitting in a lowly 14^thplace in the table with only three points. It should be mentioned that they have a game in hand over all but one of their rivals, but another concern has been the fact that they have only managed to score three goals in their three league matches – only two teams, 17^thplaced Sandhausen and rock-bottom Duisburg, have even fewer goals. 

After two league defeats in two, Friday’s clash is a huge fixture for Dresden. This promises to be a close affair, but I can see Regensburg piling more misery on their opponents. Back the home team to win this one.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST HALF HAD – DRAW 

Both league meetings between these teams last season have been level at half time. With neither side strong goalscorers so far, expect a draw at the interval again this Friday.

HEAD TO HEAD

Regensburg lost both league meetings against Dresden last season without scoring a single goal. They succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at home and a 1-0 loss on the road.

Holstein Kiel - FC Magdeburg

Narrow victory for Holstein Kiel

TEAM NEWS

Holstein Kiel's injured Arne Sicker and Philipp Sander will not be available for this encounter against Magdeburg.

Jens Hartel’s Magdeburg will yet again be without Manfred Kwadwo and Joel Hanna, who are still recovering from their injuries, while Charles Elie Laprevotte was injured a week ago and is sidelined for this encounter against Holstein Kiel.

Holstein Kiel

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Arne Sicker, Philipp Sander (both unspecified)

Magdeburg

Suspended: 

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Manfred Kwadwo, Joel Hanna (both pulled muscle); Charles Elie Laprevotte (thigh)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Despite lot of changes in their personnel and plenty of speculation surrounding the club’s future over the course of the summer, Holstein Kiel have made a good start to their season. Before drawing with Heidenheim 1-1 two weeks ago and registering a lucky 0-0 at Continental Arena to Jahn Regensburg last Sunday, the Storks had won their opener against giants Hamburg 3-0. In addition, they advanced to the next round in the cup by beating 3. Bundesliga team 1860 Munich 3-1 away from home. Although it is unlikely that they will repeat their success from last season where they ended up in third place on 56 points, I do think they will be enjoying a good campaign once again. 

Magdeburg, meanwhile, have yet to win any of their four league and cup matches so far this season, drawing two and losing two. After being forced to exit the cup last Friday following a 1-0 home defeat against Darmstadt, Jens Hartel’s men were held to a 1-1 draw at home against Ingolstadt last Saturday. However, two points from a possible nine leaves FCM in a lowly 15^thplace in the table. Magdeburg were great on the road in the 3. Bundesliga last season (12 wins, one draw, six losses), with only Paderborn boasting a better record.

This could be an entertaining matchup at Holstein-Stadium, which could go either way. However, being at home, Holstein Kiel will fancy their chances of securing the points. I’m predicting a home win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – EVEN 

Just one of Holstein Kiel's and one of Magdeburg's three league matches so far this season have produced odd total goals. Back even total goals here.

HEAD TO HEAD

The teams will meet in the 2. Bundesliga for the first time. They last played each other in the third tier two years ago, with Magdeburg winning 1-0 at home and drawing 1-1 away.

FC Heidenheim - SV Darmstadt 98

Draw seems likely between these two

TEAM NEWS

Frank Schmidt’s Heidenheim will have to do without defenders Timo Beermann and Mathias Wittek.

Darmstadt’s Felix Platte will be sidelined after suffering a ligament tear.

Heidenheim

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Timo Beermann (calf), Mathias Wittek (knee), Arne Feick (unspecified)

Darmstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Felix Platte (torn ligaments)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Heidenheim fans finally had something to cheer about in the league on Sunday, as their team beat Dresden 3-1 at DDV Arena to secure their first 2. Bundesliga win of the season. Prior to that, Heidenheim had picked up only two points from a possible six. However, their form has clearly been improving. FCH have not lost at home in the 2. Bundesliga since Ingolstadt won 2-1 at Voith Arena back at the end of March. Frank Schmidt’s men will be looking for back-to-back league wins on Sunday.

Darmstadt have once again made a positive start to their season. The Lilies have picked up a respectable six points from three league games, winning both home games against Paderborn 1-0 and Duisburg 3-0 but losing to St. Pauli 2-0 on the road. Darmstadt have been decent away from home in their last six road games in the league, losing only one of them, drawing three and winning two.

This encounter is not an easy fixture to call, and I fancy the pair to cancel each other out at Voith Arena. I’m going with a draw in this one.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST HALF HAD – DRAW

The sides have been playing out several close matches over the last five years and I don't expect to see a clear winner here either. Three of the last four 2. Bundesliga meetings have been level at half time and I'll back the first half to end all square too.

HEAD TO HEAD

The last five league encounters between Heidenheim and Darmstadt have ended level.

FC St. Pauli - 1.FC Köln

Cologne to march on

TEAM NEWS

Both Jan-Philipp Kalla and Marc Hornschuh, who has already missed the first three league games of the season, remain injury concerns for Markus Kauczinski’s St. Pauli.

Cologne are set to be at full strength when they make the trip to Hamburg this weekend.

St. Pauli

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Jan-Philipp Kalla (pubis), Marc Hornschuh (slipped disc)

Cologne

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: None

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Coach Markus Kauczinski has made a solid start at Hamburg with St. Pauli picking up two wins and suffering only one defeat from their first three 2. Bundesliga games of the new campaign. However, after beating Magdeburg 2-1 and Darmstadt 2-0 in their first two league matches, St. Pauli failed to continue on their winning strea, falling to a 3-2 defeat in extra time against third-tier side Wehen in the cup, before succumbing to a substantial 4-1 defeat away at Union Berlin on Sunday. Following that loss in Germany's capital, the team have slipped into fifth place, one point behind joint leaders Cologne and Union Berlin.

Cologne fired themselves to the top of the table with a clear 3-1 home win against Aue last Saturday. Markus Anfang’s men controlled the game very well while Simon Terodde was awarded man of the match. He scored all three goals and is in outstanding form at the moment. The side, who were relegated last season, are now favourites to win the 2. Bundesliga title.

This promises to be an excellent encounter at the Millentor Stadium between two very good 2. Bundesliga teams. Having said that, though, I believe that Cologne’s form could be the deciding factor in this one, especially as they have striker Terodde in their ranks. I’m tipping a narrow Cologne win.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – ODD 

This could be a close matchup at Millerntor Stadium, and one goal could be enough to win it. Four of the last six league meetings between the pair have resulted in odd total goals, so back odd total goals to be scored in Hamburg at the weekend, too.

HEAD TO HEAD

Cologne have won three and drawn one of their last four league meetings with St. Pauli. Meanwhile, St. Pauli have not beaten Cologne in league action since 2011 when both teams were still plying their trade in Germany's top flight. 

SV Sandhausen - Union Berlin

Union to roar to victory over Sandhausen

TEAM NEWS

Sandhausen’s Tim Knipping, Nejmeddin Daghfous, Karim Guede and Rurik Gislason are all out with different injuries. 

Union Berlin could once again be without the long-term injured Fabian Schonheim and Sebastian Polter.

Sandhausen

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Tim Knipping (broken foot), Nejmeddin Daghfous (calf), Karim Guede (knee), Rurik Gislason (unspecified)

Union Berlin

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Fabian Schonheim (knee), Sebastian Polter (Achilles)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Kenan Kocak’s Sandhausen have made a slow start to their season, failing to pick up a single point from a possible nine. After losing 3-1 at Greuther Furth in the opener and a 3-0 home defeat to promotion candidates Hamburg, SVS crashed to a narrow 1-0 defeat at Bochum last Friday to compound their misery even further. Sandhausen – who finished last season very weakly, winning only one of their final 11 league games along with five draws and five losses – need to get their act together fast.

Union Berlin have been the surprise package in the 2. Bundesliga so far, winning two and drawing one of their first three league matches to sit joint top with Cologne in terms of points and goals. Union have beaten Aue 1-0, drawn with Cologne 1-1 and beaten promotion candidates St. Pauli 4-1 in their most recent league outing. Last year, Union Berlin had set their sights on promotion at the beginning of the season, but failed phenomenally. This time they are only focusing on one game at a time – and that approach appears to be working well.

Union Berlin are on fire while Sandhausen are facing a lot of problems right now. I’m backing Union Berlin to seal back-to-back league wins by taking all three points at Hardtwald Stadium this weekend.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – LOW

Five of the seven league encounters between these teams at Hardtwald Stadium have finished with two goals or fewer. Seeing as Sandhausen have scored only one goal in three league matches we could see another low-scoring contest here.

HEAD TO HEAD

Sandhausen beat Union Berlin 1-0 on home soil last season and they have the edge in this head-to-head at home with four wins, two draws and one defeat at Hardtwald Stadium.

MSV Duisburg - Greuther Fürth

Even encounter at Schauinslandreisen Arena

TEAM NEWS

Duisburg have no fresh injury or suspension worries, meaning coach Iliya Gruev can choose from a very good squad against Greuther Furth. Long-term injured Christian Gartner is the only absentee with a knee injury.

Greuther Furth have no fresh injuries or suspensions to worry about.

Duisburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Christian Gartner (knee)

Greuther Furth

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: None

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Duisburg have made an abysmal start to the season, losing all three league games so far. The Zebras, who enjoyed a great campaign last term finishing in seventh, have been beaten by Dresden (1-0), Bochum (2-0) and finally Darmstadt (3-0) last Friday. Another concern for Iliya Gruev is that his side have not managed to score a single goal yet, with no other team sharing this statistic. MSV were one of the worst home teams last season with only six wins, five draws and six defeats. They have to turn things around as soon as possible – otherwise they will be clear relegation candidates.

Greuther Furth let two points slip at the death at Sportpark Ronhof on Saturday. Two goals from Tobias Mohr and Daniel Keita-Ruel appeared to have given the Shamrock their second home win in a row, but Phillipp Klement and Lukas Boeder netted a goal each in the last two minutes of the match to rescue an unexpected point for Paderborn. Nevertheless, Greuther Furth remain unbeaten in four league and cup matches, winning two and drawing two, and they are still close to the top, trailing joint leaders Cologne and Union Berlin by two points.

With both teams going all out to claim maximum points in this clash, there is a good chance the pair will cancel each other out. With that in mind, back the draw between these two sides on Saturday.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST HALF HAD – DRAW 

All of Greuther Furth's six goals have come in the second half. They have also been level at the break in each of their three league games, so back the first half to finish in a draw here too.

HEAD TO HEAD

Duisburg have lost just one of their last five league meetings with Greuther Furth, winning one and drawing three. Back in December Duisburg won their last home contest in this head-to-head 2-0.

Arminia Bielefeld - Jahn Regensburg

Bielefeld to make most of home advantage

TEAM NEWS

Bielefeld could be without midfielder Nils Quaschner, who is still recovering from a knee problem, and Cedric Brunner who has recently succumbed to injury.

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 encounter.

Bielefeld

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nils Quaschner (knee), Cedric Brunner (meniscus)

Jahn Regensburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Bielefeld have won one, lost one and drawn one in the league so far, with their only victory coming against Dresden at home in round two of the season via a 2-1 scoreline. Bielefeld nearly beat Heidenheim at Voith Arena in their opener, but could not take advantage of more ball possession and shots on target. However, they didn't stand a chance away from home against Hamburg on Monday when they lost deservedly 3-0 against one of the top favourites for promotion. Arminia were very hard to beat on home soil last season with only four defeats, six draws and seven victories, and with a positive goal difference of +5.

Jahn Regensburg were one of the surprise packages in the 2. Bundesliga last season, finishing in fifth, but coach Achim Beierlorzer’s men only convinced in some of the games. After their 2-1 derby win against Ingolstadt in the season opener last month, Jahn Regensburg lost 2-0 to Paderborn and suffered an embarrassing defeat in the cup against lower league outfit BSG Chemie Leipzig, but they showed great spirit in their most recent league encounter at Continental Arena last weekend. They were clearly the better side in that game against Holstein Kiel, although they missed a lot of opportunities to claim the three points, with the match ending scoreless. Nevertheless, they appear to be back on track, with their main aim to avoid relegation this term.

Bielefeld will be desperate to hit back after their first defeat of the season last Monday. Jeff Saibene’s men should be able to make home advantage count on Saturday and I will back Arminia Bielefeld to come out on top in this one.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – BIELEFELD

Bielefeld should get off the mark early in this game as they have done in five of their last six league meetings with Jahn Regensburg. I expect the same again here.

HEAD TO HEAD

There have only been two meetings between these teams at Schuco Arena over the last five years, with Bielefeld winning one and drawing one.

Dynamo Dresden - Hamburger SV (postponed !!!)

Hamburg to pick up the points at Dresden

TEAM NEWS

Dresden's interim coach Cristian Fiel has to find replacements for the injured Tim Boss, Soren Gonther, Marco Hartmann, Jannik Muller and Florian Ballas. 

Christian Titz’s Hamburg are at full strength ahead of this clash at DDV Arena. Only the long-term injured Gideon Jung, Matti Steinmann, Jairo Samperio and Kyriakos Papadopoulos are absentees.

Dresden

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Tim Boss, Marco Hartmann (both pulled muscle); Soren Gonther (knee), Florian Ballas (shoulder), Jannik Muller (foot)

Hamburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Gideon Jung, Jairo Samperio (all knee); Matti Steinmann (thigh)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Dresden are sitting on just three points from three league matches and also lost in extra time to lower league team Rodinghausen in the cup last week. At the weekend, interim Christian Fiel’s troops were comfortably beaten 3-1 by Heidenheim at DDV Arena in the 2. Bundesliga, conceding the first two goals from set pieces. Finishing in an uninspiring 14^thplace last term, Dynamo were the weakest home side in the 2. Bundesliga, registering five wins, four draws and eight defeats last season.

Hamburg have responded well after a poor opener, winning their last two league matches. After losing at home to Holstein Kiel 3-0 in round one, Christian Titz’s HSV have hit back with back-to-back 3-0 2. Bundesliga victories over Sandhausen three weeks ago and Bielefeld on Monday. Although relegated Hamburg were very poor in Germany's top flight last term both home and away, they are considered one of the top candidates for promotion this season. It appears they have found their form already and should be a class above the other teams beside Cologne in the 2. Bundesliga.

Dynamo will be feeling sorry for themselves after last weekend’s capitulation against Heidenheim, and Hamburg will be hoping to take full advantage of that. My money is going on the away win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – HIGH 

Dresden's last two matches have produced 3.5 total goals on average while Hamburg have found themselves three times on the scoresheet in both of their last two league matches. Expect a high-scoring encounter.

HEAD TO HEAD

These teams will meet for the first time in the 2. Bundesliga this weekend. They last played each other competitively in the top flight in the 1990s, with Dresden winning one and drawing three of their four home meetings with Hamburg.

SC Paderborn - VfL Bochum

Exciting draw at Benteler-Arena on Friday

TEAM NEWS

Steffen Baumgart has a full-strength Paderborn team to choose from when his side host Bochum. The only unavailable player is Massih Wassey with a back injury.

Bochum's Jannik Bandowski and Thomas Eisfeld are working on their comebacks and are unavailable. Sidney Sam saw a red card against Duisburg in round two and is suspended for this league game.

Paderborn

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Massih Wassey (unspecified)

Bochum

Suspended: Sidney Sam

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Jannik Bandowski (knee), Thomas Eisfeld (unspecified)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

After suffering an unlucky 1-0 defeat in the opener to Darmstadt, Paderborn have found their form from last season, beating Jahn Regensburg 2-0 on home soil and battling to a draw with Greuther Furth last Saturday afternoon. They have now won one, drawn one and lost one of their first three league matches. Paderborn had been playing with only ten men for the entire second half and found themselves 2-0 down after 84 minutes, but goals from Phillipp Klement and Lukas Boeder earned them a 2-2 draw at Sportpark Ronhof. Paderborn, who were promoted from the 3. Bundesliga last term, have lost just one of their past 20 league and cup matches, along with six draws and 13 wins.

Robin Dutt’s Bochum have responded well after their 2-0 opening day defeat at home to Cologne. After winning 2-0 at Duisburg in the “West Derby” in their second game, they beat Sandhausen 1-0 at home on Friday to close the gap to the top and they are now back in business in the 2. Bundesliga for now. Ignoring the opening match and their early cup exit against a lower league team, Bochum have kept a clean sheet in both their other competitive matches this season.

  

Paderborn have been very competitive on their return to the 2. Bundesliga, and I fancy them to pick up a precious point in this one. My money is going on a score draw on Friday evening.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – LOW 

Paderborn's three league matches averaged just over total goals so far while only 1.67 total goals have been scored in Bochum's three. I predict a low-scoring encounter.

HEAD TO HEAD

When these two last met in league action in the 2015-16 season, Bochum did the double over Paderborn, keeping a clean sheet in both. Overall, Paderborn's home record is even against Bochum in the second division with two wins, two draws and two defeats.

FC Ingolstadt 04 - Erzgebirge Aue

Ingolstadt to claim first victory

TEAM NEWS

Ingolstadt are without midfield player Christian Trasch, who has suffered a knee injury and could be out until the end of the year, while Almog Cohen is still absent too but is working on his comeback.

Midfielder Steve Breitkreuz, 'keeper Robert Jendrusch and Florian Kruger are the only absentees for Daniel Meyer’s Aue.

Ingolstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Christian Trasch (knee), Almog Cohen (ligaments)

Aue

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Steve Breitkreuz (knee), Robert Jendrusch (meniscus), Florian Kruger (ribbon)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Stefan Leitl’s disastrous start to the campaign continued on Saturday as his team managed only a 1-1 draw against 2. Bundesliga new boys Magdeburg. The Schanzer began their league campaign with a 2-1 defeat in their Bavarian derby against Jahn Regensburg away from home, followed by a 1-1 draw at home in another derby against Greuther Furth. Having picked up just five 2. Bundesliga victories on home soil last season, along with four draws and eight losses, Ingolstadt must get their act together fast, starting with three points at Audi-Sportpark at Friday.

Daniel Meyer has endured a tough start as Aue boss so far, with the Viola yet to win a league game under the 38-year-old. Aue were beaten again at the weekend, this time at relegated Cologne by a 3-1 scoreline. So far, Aue have mustered just one point from a possible nine thanks to a scoreless draw with Magdeburg. Daniel Meyer will have to find a way to bring more danger into their attack to be more successful in front of the goal.

This should be an entertaining matchup at Audi Sportpark, which could go either way. However, being at home, Ingolstadt will fancy their chances of securing the points. I’m predicting a home win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – HIGH

Three of the last four league meetings between the pair at Audi Sportpark have seen exactly three total goals. With both teams needing points, I expect a high number of total goals again in this important early encounter.

HEAD TO HEAD

There have only been six meetings between these teams at Audi Sportpark in the 2. Bundesliga since 2010, with Ingolstadt winning none, drawing three and losing three.

Hamburger SV - Arminia Bielefeld

Narrow victory for HSV

TEAM NEWS

Christian Titz’s Hamburg are at full strength ahead of this clash at Volkspark Stadium. Only the long-term injured Gideon Jung, Arianit Ferati, Matti Steinmann, Aron Hunt and Kyriakos Papadopoulos are absentees.

Bielefeld could be without midfielder Nils Quaschner, who is still recovering from a knee injury, and Cedric Brunner who succumbed to injury recently.

Hamburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Gideon Jung (both knee); Arianit Ferati (ligaments), Matti Steinmann (thigh), Aron Hunt (calf)

Bielefeld

Suspended: 

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nils Quaschner (knee), Cedric Brunner (meniscus)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Hamburg started the season with a 3-0 loss at home against Holstein Kiel but managed to claim their own 3-0 win in Sandhausen two weeks ago. The cup match against Regional West Team Erndtebruck was tougher than expected, particulatlyin the second half, with the team experiencing a lot of problems when it came to controlling the game, but they clinched a 5-3 win.Having registered two competitive wins in a row, they will have the momentum on their side as they go into this match and their morale will be high.

Bielefeld have taken almost maximum points from their first two fixtures in the 2. Bundesliga. Arminia came from behind to earn an excellent 1-1 draw at Heidenheim and followed that up with a 2-1 home win over Dresden, with Joan Simun Edmundsson and Fabian Klos scoring the goals. At the weekend Bielefeld eased to a 5-0 cup win away to lower league side Stendal, which will have boosted their confidence ahead of this match.

Bielefeld have started their season like they finished the last one and have now lost just once in their last nine league fixtures, dating to last term, with five draws and three wins. However, a trip to Volkspark Stadium is never an easy one and they need to be at their very best against one of the biggest promotion candidates in the 2. Bundesliga. Therefore, I fancy Hamburg to earn the three points on home soil.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – EVEN 

Six of the last eight league encounters between these two teams have seen even total goals.  Have a punt on even total goals to be scored again in this one.

HEAD TO HEAD

Hamburg and Bielefeld's last meeting took place in Germany's first division nine years ago, with Hamburg winning 2-0 at home and 4-2 on the road.

Dynamo Dresden - FC Heidenheim

Draw seems likely between these two

TEAM NEWS

Dresden coach Uwe Neuhaus was fired on Wednesday afternoon because of the cup knock out at the weekend. A interim Coach is not found yet, maybe in the upcoming days, but he has to find a replacement for the injured Tim Boss, Soren Gonther, Jannik Muller and Florian Ballas. 

Frank Schmidt’s Heidenheim will have to do without defenders Timo Beermann and Mathias Wittek.

Dresden

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Tim Boss (pulled muscle), Soren Gonther (knee), Florian Ballas (shoulder), Jannik Muller (foot)

Heidenheim

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Timo Beermann (calf), Mathias Wittek (knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Dresden have got off to an average start this season, having claimed a 1-0 win in their opener against Duisburg at home, followed by a deserved 2-0 defeat against Bielefeld. However, they then succumbed to another setback as they were knocked out of the cup by fourth-tier side Rodinghausen, losing 3-2 in extra time. They took the lead twice but could not hold on to their advantage and conceded a very late goal in extra time after a corner. They will be hoping to get back on track, but if last season's home form is anything to go by – they were the weakest home team with 19 points – a win here won't come easily.

Heidenheim have kicked off their season with two 1-1 draws from two 2. Bundesliga games. In both against Bielefeld at home and Holstein Kiel away, Heidenheim let a lead slip to drop two points. Last weekend, Frank Schmidt’s men eased to an easy 5-2 win over fourth tier club Jeddeloh to move to the next stage in cup. Heidenheim, who finished last season just two points above the bottom three, have won just two 2.Bundesliga matches since the middle of February, drawing six and losing five times since then.

Dresden may look stronger on paper, but with this one taking place at DDV Arena, either team could come out on top. With that in mind, I’m backing the game to end all square this weekend.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – ODD 

All three of Dresden's home wins against Heidenheim have all been by a one-goal margin. I like the look of odd total goals to be scored at DDV Arena on Sunday.

HEAD TO HEAD

Dreden are unbeaten at home against Heidenheim, winning three and drawing one of their four league encounters.