VfL Bochum - Dynamo Dresden

Both teams started well into the new season above all Bochum where no one knows how strong the team are after their big loses from important players like Goretzka, Rzakowski, Dedic and Kramer. They surprised in Berlin and won, sure with a bit luck but deserved 2-1 against Union. On the other side Dynamo gave a great fight for Köln and got a point in the end what was also very good and not so undeserved as well. So with a win today, both can get closer to the top of the table and can celebrate a good start.

Maybe Bochum is one step ahead from Dresden because Coach Neururer can count on insider Florian Jungwirth you came into the squad this summer. So he can give some good information about the style and system of play and gives Neururer a better look how to play against. For Jungwirth it is a special match and he wants to show his former coach and team mates that this was the wrong decision to let him go. He is in the starting eleven for sure and beside Tiffert and Latza he build up a good midfield row. Moreover they have not many problems, so that Neururer can count on the same eleven as against Union, only defensive wing Bastians is out with injury what gives youngster Holthaus an opportunity to start today. All the other position are the same as mentioned but striker Sukuta Pasu has a lot of problems in pre season and at 1.Round too, he was not up to his best shape but he getting the next chance today.

Almost the same situation for Coach Pacult as Neururer has. Because with Dedic he has a former player from Bochum in his rows and he can ask him too about Bochum's play and system. The only different thing is that he is out with illness and could not train. For this reason it is almost the same eleven expected and also system with 4-2-3-1 with Pote alone on the position up front. Also owing that both alternatives Benyamina and Müller could not convince in test match against Bautzen where they lost 0-1. All in all their defensive stands good against Köln and should be the same also midfield with Menz and Losilla on central position while behind Trojan is a questionmark. He is not at 100% fitness at the moment and this can be the chance for Kempe today who was and active player after he came in against Köln also he scored the equalizer what gives him hope that he starts today.

Karlsruher SC - FC St. Pauli

Both teams started well and both won their opening match with 1-0. KSC as newcomer after one year in 3.BL played not such bad against FSV Frankfurt and won with a header from Peitz after corner with 1-0. Pauli played average as 1860 was much closer and had some good opportunities but as always sooner or later a counter attack did it in their favor. Thy with a shoot outside the box scored the winning goal with some help form 1860 keeper Kiraly. So both teams started better as last season and both are on a good way and can play maybe a bit more relaxed as they had lost the first match. Pressure is gone but we will see who KSC can handle the big euphoria around and with 20.000 supporters in their back it can be help or burden. Nevertheless the team is almost the same as last season and they know each other very well what give them a bit more of advantage.

Home side miss again defender Gulde and Stoll but both are well replaced by Gordon and Mauersberger who did a good job so far. Also Dennis Kempe and midfielder Krebs are out with injuries so it looks like that KSC Coach can count on the same as last weekend in Frankfurt. Due to their solid performance it is not obvious that the same eleven starts again. But he wants more self confidence and power from his team, they made it good against FSV but St. Pauli is maybe a better opponent today, so he asks for more concentration.

As I mentioned above, St. Pauli won at least 1-0 but it was not such a good performance from them. They bought some new players and they need time that they work well together. It was more as questionable what they put on the pitch. Of course in some actions is light but it was more dark as light. But everyone knows that they have to improve a lot and they work hard for it, week for week and sooner or later they reach the level they want. Frontzeck practice with his team to the same time as they play today. They should learn to play in such hot conditions they have today with around 38 degree. So all players know what happen today. On the other side he has to replace Schindler, Schachten, Mohr and Daube who were not in the squad against 1860 already. So almost the same are on the pitch as to beginning.

Erzgebirge Aue - SV Sandhausen

Although both teams are relegation candidates as most of the experts expected them at the bottom of the table they started both without a lose. Sandhausen got a point at home against Aalen while Aue started very well with a win in Ingolstadt but they got a lot of help from Ingolstadt's midfielder Morales who made two big mistakes which Sylvestr used to his two goals. Kick off time is not very good because it is very very hot at the moment in Germany and we have 30+ degrees. So This can be a very tight match for both.

Coach Götz could not field his last winning lineup, no he must change. Ok, Kirchstein who won the fight against Männel is back and ready again after his head injury against Ingolstadt and should be in starting lineup what puts Männel on the bench. But the suspended Novikovas is out for today after receiving two yellow cards against Ingolstadt and for the second the following red. First alternative can be Kocer but also Miatke can be in and at this position as well. On the good 4-2-3-1 system from Götz they want to count again because they did well and so the team like this with one striker Sylvestr and Janjic behind of him. The others are more defensive minded and should help to hold their opponent away from dangerous situations.

Sandhausen do not know after their 0-0 against Aalen where they stand at the moment because they were relegated but only due to Duisburg got no license for 2.Bundesliga they are in again. They changed a lot in their team and this is not all done without any problems. They need still time to know each other better or know the running ways from all team mates. A lot of work to do for Coach Schwartz but he is very confident that they are much better as last season. It was a gift for them that they play in 2.Bundesliga again. In offensive they had the bigger problems against Aalen, there was a lot of mistakes and they played without any pressure and created almost nothing. For the future they hope that Jovanovic can help but he is not at 100% at the moment after coming from Duisburg. Defensive looked well and so they should have a chance here.

1.FC Kaiserslautern - FC Ingolstadt 04

Different signs before this encounter today while Kaiserlsautern played a good opener and won their match easy against Paderborn 1-0, of course they could have won higher but missed to much above all Idrissou had not his best day in front of the goal. Had Ingolstadt much more problems, sure they played overall well and constant also with much more ball possession but made to many individual mistakes above all Morales gives two away for Aue who could win in the end 2-1. So Ingolstadt started with the same problems as last season but they are not chanceless at Betzenberg. They count on their strength away from home from last season, hopefully they are still there. Kaiserslautern is the big favorite in this encounter but coach Kurz know how to play against them and bring them in danger because he was Coach there after he was sucked 2012. Some motivation additional against his former club and also to push his team and find the right attitude to steal some points. Huge task as with the good start Kaiserlsautern has the fans in their back again and the euphoria is huge at the moment. That all go the normal way Coach Foda is warning his team that they must be as concentrate as they can because in every match they must start from new.

Against last season Kaiserslautern has a much bigger squad above all in midfield and up front Foda can choose from a lot and therefore no one is safe. He can change for every match and this can lead to a higher position fight in training sessions. A lot of quality there and the players push each other to the next level what makes it more easy for the coach too. Some indicate from Foda that he wants to change was mentioned already under the week. He can count on a more offensive style of play above all at home and therefore bring some players who stand for this. But overall, not decided. So he has some options with Stöger, Drazan, Wooten, Borysiuk, Jenssen and Fortounis who were all not in the starting lineup against Paderborn, instead of these guys Karl, Ring, Matmour and Gaus played. So let’s see what his decision is today.

On the other side Ingolstadt must change anyway. Their weakest man from last match Morales is suspended and he was the guy who put Aue in a good position with his two big mistakes. Maybe Kurz is very happy that he has not the problem to bring him again, so he can change without worries. On an interview he mentioned that he can figure with the return of Groß beside Knasmüller on the position in central midfield. Also Jessen should be huge motivated because he is on loan and wants to show his potential but he was not in the starting lineup last weekend. Instead of him Kurz counts on Soares but it can be different today. Moreover there can be more changes but Kurz does not want to tell more about his lineup. The only thing he mentioned is that this match can be a good one for them above all his team has not the pressure and is not favorite anyway. So he can play much more relaxed but of course focused enough to hurt Kaiserslautern a bit.   

Arminia Bielefeld - Union Berlin

Arminia Bielefeld hosts Union Berlin in their first home matches after returning into 2.Bundesliga again. Both teams were not very successful in 1.Round because both lost their opener, so this can be an important match for both. They are under pressure because if they lose again they are at the bottom of the table from beginning on and it is not such easy to turn things around in this close league. Of course Bielefeld’s lose by Greuther Fürth was maybe expected from some experts but the defeat from Union at home never. Some talked from promotion candidate Union but they were not able to hold the pressure away and failed huge. Therefore it is very important now to change this.

Arminia wants to try all to get the three points in front of their fans. But Coach Krämer must replace again an important man as he must with 1^st keeper Platins in first match but Ortega did a good job but next man out is Müller who was in good shape and played very well against Fürth but he is not available due to injury today. Therefore Schönefeld moves forward behind striker Klos while Petersch gives his starting debut for Arminia on the wing today.  Also some other changes are possible above all in central midfield where Jerat made to many mistakes against Fürth and can be replaced by Riese who can move in for him. The alternative on this position Fießer is still injured or not ready and fit. So Caoch Krämer can only count on what he has available.

After their disaster last Sunday it can be that Coach Neuhaus changes some. It would be interesting if he count on the same starting eleven as against Bochum or change as he has a lot of alternatives this season because of their bigger squad they have. So no one can be sure that he plays again. It is all about training sessions and trust from the coach. Some changes can be Özbeck or Brandy who had not their best day against Bochum. For them it can be that Dausch moves in or maybe also for Köhler who was not in his best shape. Young striker Skrzybski should be also an option upfront. So the fight for the places is much bigger at Union as last season and maybe put up the quality as well. But they have to bring it on the pitch first.

Fortuna Düsseldorf - Energie Cottbus

Monday evening and last match of Round 1 where relegated Fortuna Düsseldorf plays against Energie Cottbus. Both teams did not mentiond any aim for this season but both expected to play a good role above all from some experts. Nevertheless both want to start well into the new season and hold contact to the top of the table. Therefore it can be a very interesting match above all Düsseldorf at home in their stadium where a lot of support is expected can help them to play more offensive and create some. So this can be a good opportunity …..

After relegation Düsseldorf has all their important players in their squad again and moreover they strength it a bit. For this new Coach Büskens can choose from a lot and also some alternatives in his back. Not available should be their playmaker hope and new signing Kenia who is not fit 100% after late joining and less training but he should be on the bench maybe. According to this news Coach Büskens has to count on a 4-4-2 system at the start but not a big problem at all because he let play this often in friendlies. His team should be good enough and well balanced to play this. At home with two strikers Benschop and Reisinger is always a good choice. Save in starting lineup should be important guys like Latka, Lampertz, Bellinghausen and Bozek while the other positions above all on the wing and goal are a bit more open. With Giefer and Rensing they have two excellent keepers, both have the potential to play today but only one can. Some around the club said that Giefer wins this race due to better preparation. New signing Rensing came from Leverkusen but must on bench again, as he was in Leverkusen last season. But what I know left Rensing the squad after Büskens decision and Büskens has to take 19 years old youngster on bench as substitute for Giefer. Therefore Rensing is not in the squad today. The other position can be back wing where Balogun and Levels fight for a place and here can give the better offensive play the advantage for youngster Balogun who played most of the time last season already in 1.BL.

Almost same situation in Cottbus but here it is sure that Almer stands in goal today. He came from today’s opponent Düsseldorf where he never could overcome Giefer and played less. So he should be huge motivated and show his former club that he was the wrong decision to let him only on bench last season or let him go now. It looks like no worries for Coach Bommer but exactly a few days ago his important central midfielder Banovic got injured and he is out some time. For this he must find a new partner beside Kruska, this can be new signed youngster from Bayern Munich Mrowca or still even other player? In offensive he counts on the well known players like Sanogo and Farina from last season. Additional some new blood with experienced players like Takyi and Jendrisek too.  

Union Berlin - VfL Bochum

Beside top promotion candidates Kaiserslautern, Köln and Düsseldorf expect many experts Union Berlin as one of these candidates as well. They have a very good squad and they strength it again this season. Their stadium is ready and a lot of support are expected in the next weeks above all if the results are good and the euphoria continues like in their friendlies where they got a lot of good results. One of these experts was Peter Neururer who is coach from Bochum and he never got any point there. This he wants to change today but he said it already that this can be a very hard task.

Union Coach Neuhaus had a lot to do to make things easier and let the pressure not get to high. It is very hard at the moment because all around the club a in an absolutley hype with Union. Hopefully the players can react with all the big expectations. But the team looks more relaxed and want to start better as last season where they had a lot of problems to beginning. Some of their new guys are already set for starting lineup and Neuhaus counts on defender Eggimann, midfielder Kreilach, Köhler and striker Brandy. He has also some weapons on bench and can bring some additional what makes it much easier this seasosn. So no worries if one of the guys are not on his best day. The only missing they have is Jopek who is injured but in offensiv they have a lot.

Let’s see what Bochum is able to bring this season above all after some of their imp. players left the club. It is hard for Neururer but he must do a go job if he wants to hold his team away from danger zone where they stand last season for long time. The biggest problem they have is scoring goals. Not one of his stikers could convince in friendlies so Sukuta Pasu, Aydin and so on must do a better job and get better in form. The system he wants to choose is more a 4-3-3 and make some pressure over the wings with Tasaka and new signing Cwielong. Absolutely new is their midfield with Tiffert, Jungwirth and Latzka who should replace Rzatkowski, Goretzka and Kramer. For defensive row it looks like that he can count on the same as last year, only Bastians as back wing is new. So it can be that Bochum needs some time to be on the level and know each other better above all their midfield.

Greuther Fürth - Arminia Bielefeld

Fürth's Coach searching for the best lineup today

This is the season opener for two teams who are normally known for 2.Bundesliga. Fürth made a one year trip to 1.Bundesliga but had never a chance there while Bielefeld had to go down in 3.Bundesliga and had some bad times above all in financial sector. But they worked well and this is their success now, their comeback in 2.Bundesliga. Relegated Fürth wants to start winning again in 2.Bundesliga above all at home where they won nothing in 1.BL and their last win was against St. Pauli in their own stadium in their promotion season. Additional they want to bring their fans back on their side and give them something to celebrate in the future again. 

Nevertheless Fürth looked very well in their friendlies and they got some great results above all against Celtic Glasgow they played really well and won in the end 6-2. What is an absolutely surprise, of course it was preparation but with such margin it was a surprise. After their disaster season last year they changed some. Some players had to go and some came but they found some good one on the market. With Nehrig, Klaus, Nöthe, Prib left some starter Fürth while with Brosinki, Sukalo, Sparv and Korcsmar they bought some who have the potential for starting lineup. Above all they are more dangerous at free kicks because with Mavraj and Sukalo they have some very good and tall players in their rows.

After some years away, Bielefeld is back. Let's see if their squad is strong enough for 2.Bundesliga. They signed not a lot and in this case they count almost on the same lineup as they did last season. Their only blow is that 1st keeper got injured and is out for 6 weeks now. This is the chance for their second keeper. Hopefully he gets some match praxis in friendlies so he can be an important man today. All the others are the same and maybe the system is a big different as they do not play like in 3.Bundesliga. I expect a much more defensive minded team and only with one striker upfront. This should be their 3rd league top scorer Klos. But overall they are well balanced and know each other very well.

Dynamo Dresden - 1.FC Köln

This is the last match of Saturday when Dynamo Dresden hosts 1.FC Köln. It looks like a good encounter at 1.Round. Big favorite in this one should be promotion candidate Köln, who wants the return after disappointing last season while Dynamo Dresden wants to play a good season without any worries after their bad last season where they stayed only after relegation win against Osnabrück and saved 2.Bundesliga.

Their relegation battle costs a bit of the new season as they played 1-2 weeks longer and therefore they had not the time immediately to prepare for new season. So Coach Pacult had less time here but they should be on a good level even without 1-2 weeks less on training. Coach said that his team is on their normal level after third round, so hopefully they are not down already if they lose some. But nevertheless they want to try all to get as much points as they get and they never give a match away. Also their big crowd in their back above all at home matches helps a lot too. One important and good thing ist hat the striker duo Pote and Dedic is back for Dresden. Dedic played one season for Bochum and signed for Dresden now. He was on loan in Season 2011/12 and played really great together with Pote. This can be an important advantage for Dresden this season if both are without injury worries. Also new midfielder Menz and Mravac who gets the place from Susac can be two more new guys in starting lineup, so it is not much and they are well balanced from last season. This can be also good fort hem if they know each other better.

But on the other side Köln has the same advantage because with Clemens they lost one of their best players but signed some quality new. With Golobart who plays for long term injured McKenna beside Maroh and Risse in midfield they got some good players in their rows which can help to be more dangerous infront of the goal. Also Nascimento miss out this match due to privat things. New coach on the line is Stöger who came from Austria Wien where he won the title last season. He plays a 4-1-4-1 system in almost all friendly matches so it is expected that he counts on this again today. Youngster Gebhardt could use his chance and should be in starting lineup while new signed Halfar needs some time. Also showed Matuschyk the better preparation as Lehmann and he can hope fort he place before the back line in central midfield. Ufront can be Risse, Ujah and Bröker who should build a dangerous offensive.

SC Paderborn - 1.FC Kaiserslautern

Again a lot of support expected for Kaiserslautern today

The german sports journal „kicker“ made and interview with all Coaches before the start of the season and almost all named Kaiserslautern as one of the top or hottest contender for the promotion to the Bundesliga. After failing in relegation last season they want to go the last step now. But their kick off to the new season at Paderborn in Benteler Arena is not an easy one. On the other side it is also a very good chance for home side to bring some fans back as they did not well last season above all at home. If they start with a win it can be that some of their fans come often. A huge crowd is expected with around 10.000 fans in the stadium, which are 2000 from Kaiserslautern maybe. It is very hot in germany now and this can play a big role in this match. Both teams must divide their power.

New head coach Andre Breitenreiter must replace two regulars in his first match as 2.Bundesliga coach. Captain Markus Krösche must occur because of light problems while free kick specialist Alban Meha has some knee problems and could not train so far. Despite these two missings Breitenreiter has a lot to choose and he has must find the right mixed for the starting lineup. In defenisve it is all open, new signingsHünemeier and Amedick compete with last years master power Strohdiek for two places. Another new man maybe starts from beginning on, with striker Rick ten Voorde who came from NEC has settled in quickly and hit on his debut for Paderborn a week before against Aston Villa.

At Kaiserslautern it is not so easy to be in starting lineup because they signed a lot of new players which should help to bring more competition into their squad. No on is safe now and he must show this every week on the pitch that he must start. Therefore there are still some questionmarks for the lineup. Only sure is that Torrejon, Alushi and fresh injured captain Bunjaku who is out longer are all not in the squad. So, Idrissou gets a new partner upfront and this can be new signing Occean from Frankfurt or Zoller from Osnabrück. Let’s see what Coach Foda wants to play for a system. This can be also very important for choosing his lineup.

Let's start the new Season !!!

After a long break and a well deserved vacation, I'm back now and I will continue my blog in the new season. I hope that this is again assumed as numerous as in the last. I hope to welcome lots of visitors again. It will be like last season I will give previews to some German League matches, all the other Sections who are new I post only Picks. I have mentioned it already so once again I have added two new Sections, which you can reach if you click on the Tabs on the top. Both Sections are only filled with Tips without previews. At "Plan Picks" I want to give tips from the European Top Leagues like England, Italy, Spain or France. The next Section is called "Pick of the Day", in this Section I try to give the best tip of every day. They can come from different areas of sports and leagues. I hope to make my blog a little bit more attractive with this update.

All new Posts or Picks from both Selections are posted on Twitter as well, so you can get informed immediately by following me. Thanks in advance.

My batteries are full and I am ready to look forward to the new season and hopefully to welcome a lot of followers.

Good luck and the best wishes for the new Season 13/14