Arminia Bielefeld - Jahn Regensburg

Important first encounter for both

TEAM NEWS

Bielefeld‘s squad has undergone several changes with several players not receiving a new contract. New arrivals include goalkeeper Stefan Ortega (1860 Munich), defender Nils Teixeira (Dresden), midfielder Konstantin Kerschbaumer (Brentford), midfielder Patrick Weihrauch (Wurzburg), forward Andraz Sporar (Basel) and forward Nils Quaschner (RB Leipzig).

Newly-promoted Jahn Regensburg have lost two key players from their successful team last season as midfielder Erik Thommy returned to Augsburg while midfielder Kolja Pusch is back with Heidenheim. They have signed several new players, but none of them have experience at playing in 2.Bundesliga. With midfielder Sebastian Stolze (Wolfsburg), forward Jonas Nietfeld (Zwickau), defender Benedikt Gimber (Hoffenheim), defender Asger Sorensen (RB Salzburg), midfielder Albion Vrenezi (Augsburg), forward Patrick Dzalto (Leverkusen) and forward Joshua Mees (1899 Hoffenheim) they have a squad full of young and talented players.

Bielefeld

Suspended: None

Doubtful: Soren Brandy (thigh)

Injured/unavailable: Christopher Nothe (knee)

Jahn Regensburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: OIiver Hein (knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Bielefeld will be hoping for a much better start than last season and therefore for a campaign without any trouble. Overall they should not change much with regard to their starting XI and it means they will have a team available that need no time to gel. Coach Jeff Saibene knows his men very well and might include new arrival Konstantin Kerschbaumer in the line-up.

Newly-promoted Jahn Regensburg have the lowest budget of the 18 clubs and they must work hard if they do not want to be relegated after just one season – something that happened to them not too long ago. However, their new and beautiful stadium should push them additionally this time round while there is also a new coach in charge in Achim Beierlorzer after Heiko Herrlich left for Leverkusen before the beginning of the season. Beierlorzer was U-23 coach at RB Leipzig and knowing how to work with young players, he will put a lot of emphasis on forming a well-balanced and operating team. However, the club’s main aim will be to avoid relegation this season.

I don’t expect to see a great game here, with both teams looking to defend, and this could mean a goalless draw.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – LOW (UNDER 2.5 GOALS)

These teams have not met in Germany’s second tier since March 2004 when they played each other in Bielefeld. It was an uneventful and scoreless draw. Both teams will be focussing on safety first in their first match and I predict under 2.5 goals.

HEAD TO HEAD

Bielefeld have hosted Jahn Regensburg just three time, with all matches ending in draws.