SV Sandhausen - Fortuna Düsseldorf

Both teams will be happy with a draw here

TEAM NEWS

Sandhausen will be without several players, who are unavailable through injury. Marcel Seegert is suffering from eye problems while Mirco Born, Rick Wulle and Philipp Forster have all succumbed to knee injuries and Robert Herrmann has a broken foot.

Dusseldorf’s Justin Toshiki Kinjo and Havard Nielsen are still on the club’s injury list while Kaan Ayhan succumbed to injury against Kaiserslautern on Saturday and is doubtful.

Sandhausen

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Marcel Seegert (eye); Mirco Born, Rick Wulle, Philipp Forster (all three knee); Robert Herrmann (foot)

Dusseldorf

Suspended: None

Doubtful: Kaan Ayhan (unspecified)

Injured/unavailable: Justin Toshiki Kinjo (meniscus), Havard Nielsen (pulled muscle)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Sandhausen are coming off an incredible 4-0 win over Dresden. They really outplayed their opponents and registered one of the best performances so far this season, with the team now sitting in second place on seven points. Coach Kenan Kocak was very pleased with his men, but stressed that this was only one step forward with a lot more steps necessary to confirm this level of play. He should count on the same starting line-up for the upcoming encounter as there is no reason to change a winning team, especially not after such a great outcome.

Having secured seven points in three matches, Dusseldorf remain unbeaten this season, too. They beat defensive-minded Kaiserslautern in a narrow game 2-0 last time out and it was a deserved result against harmless opponents despite the fact they had to be patient when it came to gettng on the scoreboard. This game could be different as the team will expect to be able to produce counter-attacks with much more space available, but Dusseldorf prefer this style with their fast players up front.

Both teams have met eight times in 2.Bundesliga, with Sandhausen registering four wins and Dusseldorf three. Their similar records make think that a draw could be on the cards here – which means that both sides could extend their unbeaten run.

SECOND PREDICTION: HALF TIME HAD – AWAY

The first half in this fixture is very hard to predict as the outcomes in past meetings have been so different. Some encounters have seen goals flow while others barely registered any at all. Dusseldorf have managed to score first within the first 45 minutes in all of their three league games so far though, leading at half time twice, and I’ll therefore go with an away win at the break here.

HEAD TO HEAD

Sandhausen’s all-time home record against Dusseldorf consists of two wins, one draw and two defeats, with the team scoring five and conceding seven goals.

1.FC Kaiserslautern - Eintracht Braunschweig

Another winless game for the hosts

TEAM NEWS

Kaiserslautern will be without Kacper Przybylko and Giuliano Modica once again. Both are no options for this match but are making progress in their recovery and may return soon.

Braunschweig will be missing Domi Kumbela in the upcoming weeks while Partick Schonfeld has an infection and has not been training since the beginning of July. It is unknown when he will return to the team’s training sessions.

Kaiserslautern

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Kacper Przybylko (foot), Giuliano Modica (muscle)

Braunschweig

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Domi Kumbela (muscle), Patrick Schonfeld (illness)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

After following up their opening defeat with a 1-1 draw against Darmstadt in the league and a 4-0 triumph at Eichede in the cup, Kaiserslautern’s improving run came to an abrupt halt against Dusseldorf. The team did not have the right formula to contain their opponents and had not solutions up front. They started with a 3-4-2-1 system and were really compact but after conceding a first goal before the break, they never found a way back into the game. It means Kaiserslautern are now winless after three league matches and they will have to improve a lot. Their defence is not too bad, but their attack has been no threat, unable to create enough opportunities and registering only one goal so far – which makes it difficult to win matches, of course. However, Kaiserslautern’s coach Norbert Meier and his staff are working very hard with the team in training in order to secure their first win.

Braunschweig produced a disappointing performance last time out in front of their own fans as they were unable to beat bottom side Aue in a 1-1 draw. However, on a positive note, they were able to equalise after falling behind, but they ran out of ideas when it came to penetrating Aue’s defensive line again. The draw means of course that Braunschweig are still unbeaten after three games, but they expect much better results.

The atmosphere on the Betzenberg is always very hot and the fans support their team very well. However, if Braunschweig can keep their nerves under control they will get something out of this encounter. I predict an away win.

SECOND PREDICTION: TOTAL GOALS – TWO

None of the last five meetings between these teams has seen more than two goals and with both teams’ attacks displaying problems against strong defensive lines, I predict a low-scoring match here too, with two goals in total.

HEAD TO HEAD

There have been 24 meetings between these teams at Kaiserslautern, with the hosts registering 15 wins and six draws.

FC St. Pauli - FC Heidenheim

Home advantage will boost St. Pauli

TEAM NEWS

St. Pauli will have to do without the long-term injured Ryo Miyaichi and Philipp Ziereis.

Heidenheim have no important injuries worries and Denis Thomalla is their only absentee due to injury concerns.

St. Pauli

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Ryo Miyaichi (knee), Philipp Ziereis (pulled muscle)

Heidenheim

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Denis Thomalla (unspecified)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

After a good start with four points in two matches, St. Pauli were completely outplayed in their 3-0 defeat against Darmstadt last Friday – and they will be aware that with a repeat of such a dreadful performance they will not be able to get more points. Coach Olaf Jansen has to make changes if they want to see better days and the whole team have a lot of work to do in training this week. However, they are bound to bounce back, and especially at their own stadium where they have great support from their fans and are unbeaten in their last six 2.Bundesliga matches.

Heidenheim are coming off a disappointing game against Duisburg where they were not able to hold the lead. Despite scoring the first goal of the match in the second half, they conceded two quick goals within the next seven minutes and although there were still over 20 minutes left to play they never found a way back into the game. Coach Frank Schmidt was critical of his team’s performance and he wants to see a reaction this weekend against St. Pauli. He could make changes in some positions in the starting line-up for this encounter.

St. Pauli’s home fortress is a difficult place to visit and it will be a hard game for Heidenheim. With some of the best supporters in 2.Bundesliga, St. Pauli should get the win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: HALF TIME HAD – HOME WIN

St. Pauli will be pushing for a goal from the beginning and I expect it to be a very open game. The home side will not be able to sit back and wait, and they will have to push forward, which will of course provide Heidenheim with space for counter-attacks. However, St. Pauli’s defence is strong and I think they will be in the lead after 45 minutes.

HEAD TO HEAD

St. Pauli have won the last two home games against Heidenheim, keeping a clean sheet in both. However, they lost their home match before that 3-0.

Jahn Regensburg - Holstein Kiel

Goals expected with both teams on fire

TEAM NEWS

Regensburg are still without Uwe Hesse and Oliver Hein who are both injured. Markus Palionis has muscle problems but could still feature in the squad for this encounter.

Kiel won’t have Arne Sicker and Luca Durholtz at their disposal.

Regensburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: Markus Palionis (muscle)

Injured/unavailable: Uwe Hesse (ankle), Oliver Hein (knee)

Kiel

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Arne Sicker (illness), Luca Durholtz

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

It has been a successful week for Regensburg: After a 3-1 cup win against Darmstadt, they registered their second victory in a row, beating relegated Ingostadt deservedly 4-2. They were the better team in the first half of the Bavarian derby despite some concentration issues. Although they fell behind at the beginning of the second half, the team managed  a great comeback with three goals to secure the win. Coach Achim Beierlorzer has employed a very offensive style with high pressing and his team are getting used to this approach more and more. It will be entertaining to watch them in the upcoming weeks with the side displaying such great form at the moment.

Kiel too have registered two consecutive wins in both cup and league, but they always need a wake-up call. They have come from behind in all their four competitive matches so far, but secured points in three of them. The positive results can be attributed to their good team spirit and high morale, despite the fact they have only just arrived from Germany’s third tier.

This is the first match between two promoted teams and both clubs know each other from last season. However, I feel Regensburg have the better playing style which – together with their home advantage – can give them the edge here. Home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: TOTAL GOALS – THREE

Neither of the teams are usually known to be high scorers, but this season seems to be different and both sides appear to have found their scoring skills in 2.Bundesliga. At the same time, Kiel, who had the best defence at only 25 goals conceded in 3.Liga last season, have already shipped seven so far – the highest in the second tier. A lot seems to have changed for both teams and I expect to see several goals. My money will be on three in total.

HEAD TO HEAD

These teams will meet for the first time in 2.Bundesliga, but they met eight times in the third tier where Kiel registered five wins, one draw and two defeats.

Erzgebirge Aue - 1.FC Nürnberg

High-flying Nurnberg to continue their unbeaten run

TEAM NEWS

Aue are still missing the long-term injured Nicky Adler.

Nurnberg can count on the same team as in their previous matches. Dennis Lippert has a knee injury, Eduard Lowen has problems with a pulled muscle and Rurik Gislason has issues with his heel.

Aue

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nicky Adler (unspecified)

Nurnberg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Dennis Lippert (knee), Eduard Lowen (pulled muscle), Rurik Gislason (heel)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Aue managed to arrest their negative run of two defeats in the opening games and secured a positive result at Braunschweig last weekend. The 1-1 draw was a surprise, but the team were lucky in that they were allowed to finish the match with 11 men. Nevertheless, they fought hard to secure their first point of the season against the potential promotion candidates. The team will now try and build on that result in a bid to register a win in one of their upcoming matches.

Nurnberg claimed a deserved 2-2 draw in last weekend’s standout match against Union Berlin, during which they came from behind twice. Although they didn’t manage to extend their winning sequence and have now dropped their first two points this term, they were happy with the draw and their unbeaten start to the campaign means they have a squad capable of competing with the other strong clubs in 2.Bundesliga. This could be a much better season than their last one, which they finished in 12^th place.

With their cup tie against Duisburg taken into account, Nurnberg have already played against second-tier opposition four times this season and they are still unbeaten with three wins and a draw. The team are working much better together than last term, which is down to coach Michael Kollner, and they should be able to extend their excellent run against a weak team like Aue. Away win.

SECOND PREDICTION: HALF TIME HAD – DRAW

Aue will focus on their defence and go for fast counter-attacks while I expect them to allow Nurnberg to control the match, despite their home advantage. The visitors will be aware of this tactic and start the match conservatively, which is likely to result in an uneventful first half. I expect more action in the second part of the game, but predict a draw at half time.

HEAD TO HEAD

Nurnberg are unbeaten in all their six competitive meetings between these two sides. They have registered five wins in a row in 2.Bundesliga while the other meeting ended in a draw.

Greuther Fürth - FC Ingolstadt 04

Important match for both winless clubs

TEAM NEWS

Greuther Furth’s coach Janos Radoki cannot count on Mathis Bolly who is out with a pulled muscle while Secan Sararer is unavailable for an unknown time.

At Ingolstadt, coach Walpurgis only has one player unavailable, in the form of Moritz Hartmann. However, this should not be a problem for the team at all.

Greuther Furth

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Mathis Bolly (pulled muscle), Secan Sararer (unspecified)

Ingolstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Moritz Hartmann (unspecified)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Greuther Furth have started the new campaign miserably, collecting not a single point in their first three matches. The team are at the bottom of the table and looking for a way out of this disaster. Coach Janos Radoki already finds himself under pressure and following their 3-1 win at newly promoted Kiel last weekend, he will need to line up a compact XI who will fight from the beginning to secure a good result against the relegated Ingolstadt.

Their opponents too are finding life in the second tier difficult and are yet to find a way into the games. They have registered the worst start of a relegated team from 1.Bundesliga, with three straight defeats so far, and have not been able to make use of their potential on the pitch. Following their 4-2 home defeat against newly promoted Regensburg last time out, coach Maik Walpurgis has to find a solution quickly if they do not want to extend this negative record.

Neither of the teams have secured a win from their first three games and both are looking for the right formula, hoping that they can end their negative run this weekend. Ingolstadt have a much better squad and players on paper, but both teams will secure a point here.  

SECOND PREDICTION: HALF TIME HAD – DRAW

With both teams finding themselves at the wrong end of results this season, they will have to improve a lot, but they have been nervous at the start of their games and have been focusing on safety in the first half. Just one goal in Ingolstadt’s matches has arrived before the break while Greuther Furth have netted only one first-half goal. A draw therefore seems a good choice at half time.

HEAD TO HEAD

Ingolstadt have won the last two meetings at Greuther Furth by a 1-0 scoreline, but they lost the three away matches before that, with two of those recording a high number of goals (3-0 and 6-1).

MSV Duisburg - SV Darmstadt 98

Darmstadt set to continue their unbeaten run

TEAM NEWS

Newly promoted Duisburg almost have all their players available, with the exception of the long-term injured Zlatko Janjic and Tim Albutat.

Darmstadt’s coach Torsten Frings will only be without the long-term injured Peter Niemeyer and can count on a strong squad for this game.

Duisburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: Baris Ozbek (back)

Injured/unavailable: Zlatko Janjic (knee), Tim Albutat (ankle)

Darmstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Peter Niemeyer (heel)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Although Duisburg struggled in their first away game they produced a good performance – and surprisingly celebrated their first victory of the campaign against strong hosts Heidenheim. The team showed character as they fell behind in the 59^th minute, but responded with two goals within the next seven minutes. Following this first win they now have an even league record with one win, one draw and one defeat. The newly promoted side have proven that they can compete at this level and more surprises are sure to follow.

After exiting the cup when losing 3-1 against fellow second-tier club Regensburg two weeks ago, Darmstadt managed to return to winning ways again this weekend. They claimed an easy 3-0 home win against St. Pauli who never found a way into the game. With two wins and one draw they are now in the top five and are two points behind leaders Bielefeld. Following their disappointing performance in the cup, their full focus will be on the league now and if they continue with this way of playing it could be a strong and successful season for Darmstadt.

Although one could easily side with Duisburg here, I prefer Darmstadt right now, who have been playing excellent football. They are very hard to beat and will be full of ideas when it comes to breaking Duisburg’s defence. Away win.

SECOND PREDICTION: HALF TIME HAD – DRAW

Duisburg and Darmstadt have both registered just one first-half goal so far and I expect a low-scoring first 45 minutes here too. Overall both teams are more active in the second half, with Duisburg scoring two and Darmstadt netting four. I expect a draw at half time.

HEAD TO HEAD

Duisburg have lost the last five league matches against Darmstadt by conceding 12 goals and scoring two. Their last two meetings occurred in Germany’s third tier.

Holstein Kiel - Greuther Fürth

Kiel aiming for their first home win

TEAM NEWS

Kiel are only missing Arne Sicker who is ill. All the other players are at coach Markus Anfang’s disposal.

Richard Magyar, Secan Sararer and Philipp Hofmann are all missing for Greuther Furth.

Kiel

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Arne Sicker (illness)

Greuther Furth

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Richard Magyar (ankle), Sercan Sararer (unspecified), Philipp Hofmann (knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Kiel’s positive play has been a surprise. They have been involved in two entertaining matches and would have deserved more, but they have managed only a point so far. They battled hard away from home against Union Berlin in their last league match two weeks ago, taking the lead twice in the first half, but the hosts controlled the game in the second half and scored the winning goal. It was disappointing for Kiel because they deserved more after producing such a great performance.

However, Kiel’s advance to the next round in the cup after beating Braunschweig 2-1 last Friday should provide them with a boost. Their opponents Greuther Furth will not be easy to overcome with the team having struggled so far in the league, having suffered defeats against Darmstadt and Bielefeld and scoring just one goal. This means that Furth are already under huge pressure und in a desperate need of points. Coach Janos Radoki will be trying to build a compact team to frustrate Kiel and avoiding fast counter-attacks from the home side will be key.

Kiel have impressed so far, while Furth haven’t. I’ll back a home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST HALF HAD – AWAY WIN

Kiel have so far conceded first in both of their home matches in both league and cup. This could be an opportunity for Greuther Furth to take the lead by half time, but they should be aware that Kiel played second halves.

HEAD TO HEAD

These teams will meet for the first time in 2.Bundesliga.

FC Ingolstadt - Jahn Regensburg

Two winless teams aiming for first victory in Bavarian Derby

TEAM NEWS

Moritz Hartmann and Max Christiansen are missing for Ingolstadt while Marcel Gaus and Alfredo Morales have slight minor injuries and are considered doubts.

Regensburg’s Oliver Hein and Uwe Hesse are still on the club’s injury list while Marvin Knoll succumbed to injury in a cup game against Darmstadt on Saturday and is doubtful.

Ingolstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: Marcel Gaus, Alfedo Morales (both unspecified)

Injured/unavailable: Moritz Hartmann (unspecified), Max Christiansen (thigh)

Regensburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: Marvin Knoll (unspecified)

Injured/unavailable: Oliver Hein (knee), Uwe Hesse (ankle)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Ingolstadt are coming into this Bavarian derby with huge pressure on their shoulders, having failed to collect a single point in their first two league matches. Both games were lost without scoring a goal. A home match will be a welcome opportunity for the team to get back on track, but it will be important that they claim the three points here if they do not want to lose too much ground on the top. In the cup, Ingolstadt secured a confidence-boosting 2-1 win over lower league team 1860 Munich on Sunday.

Regensburg find themselves in almost the same sitation, having lost their two opening games against Bielefeld and Nurnberg. The team will put a lot of hope into this game and will be pleased with their 3-1 cup win over Darmstadt on Saturday, who are considered one of the top teams in the 2.Bundesliga. That victory will have boosted their morale and restored trust their play. Regensburg are employing a very offensive style with high pressing, which makes it very difficult for opponents to take control of the game. However, it costs a lot of energy week after week – and fatigue might have been the reason for their two league defeats as both winning goals were conceded in the final 12 minutes.

This is a hard match to predict because it is too important for both teams and neither can afford to lose it. Draw.

SECOND PREDICTION: HALF TIME HAD – HOME WIN

Ingolstadt should take advantage from beginning as they have the much better players who can make a difference in this Bavarian derby. I think they will be ahead by half time, but ultimately fail to keep hold of the lead.

HEAD TO HEAD

Ingolstadt have played only once against Regensburg in the 2.Bundesliga in an entertaining game which they won 4-2 in 2012.

1.FC Nürnberg - Union Berlin

Two in-form teams fighting for the top

TEAM NEWS

Nurnberg can count on the same team as in their previous matches. Lukas Muhl, Dennis Lippert and Philipp Forster are all out, but they are not considered important players.

Union Berlin will be travelling to Nurnberg without Kenny Prince Redondo, Dennis Daube and Akaki Gogia which are all still injured. Coach Jens Keller will be able to employ his best starting line-up after almost all key players were rested in their recent cup game.

Nurnberg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Lukas Muhl (unspecified), Dennis Lippert (knee), Philipp Forster (knee)

Union Berlin

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Kenny Prince Redondo (shoulder), Dennis Daube (knee), Akaki Gogia (heel)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Nurnberg have a 100% record so far, having registered two wins out of two matches. They were the better side in both games and can count on a strong defensive line. The team have kept a clean sheet in both games while up front they are dangerous and produce good goalscoring opportunities. Nurnberg were also victorious against Duisburg in the cup on Monday, winning 2-1.

Union Berlin were involved in a great showdown against Kiel in the league two weeks ago. They came from behind twice but scored the winning goal in the second half. Like their opponents, Union have clinched two victories so far and are sitting in second on goal difference. Another win would mean that they can leapfrog their opponents, but it will be tough. They beat Saarbrucken in extra time in the cup on Sunday.

If Union Berlin can continue their winning streak at in Nurnberg it is quite possible that they will be amongst the top teams of the 2.Bundesliga this season. However, with both teams in convincing form a draw seems likely here.

SECOND PREDICTION: TOTAL GOALS – FOUR

This encounter should produce goals with both teams being proficient up front, with Nurnberg having scored four and Union Berlin five – the league’s highest – so far. If one team take the lead early in this game the match will be stretched wide open and have a lot of space. For this reason I expect the goals to flow in this game and predict four in total.

HEAD TO HEAD

Four of the last five meetings were won by the respective home team, while the other match ended in a draw.

Fortuna Düsseldorf - 1.FC Kaiserslautern

A draw seems likely

TEAM NEWS

Dusseldorf are still without Justin Toshiki Kinjo and Havard Nielsen who are both injured. Nevertheless, coach Friedhelm Funkel has a large squad at his disposal.

Kaiserslautern won’t have Kacper Przybylko and Giuliano Modica at their disposal.

Dusseldorf

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Justin Toshiki Kinjo (meniscus), Havard Nielsen (pulled muscle)

Kaiserslautern

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Kacper Przybylko (foot), Giuliano Modica (thigh)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Dusseldorf have got off to a good 2.Bundesliga start with one win and one draw, while the team also advanced to the next stage of the German cup, having beating Bielefeld in extra time. The team have the potential to do better than last season, but there are certain areas they will need to improve as well. They should keep an eye on controlling the game more and be more clinical in front of the goal. However, they have scored four in their first two matches, which is the joint-second highest in the league.

After a horrible start in Nurnberg where they were beaten 3-0, Kaiserslautern have been continuously been improving. Their first home game in the league ended with a deserved 1-1 draw against Darmstadt and they were in the game the whole time. In the cup, they thrashed lower league team Eichede 4-0 with ease and advance to the next round of the competition.

Kaiserslautern may be getting their confidence back, but I still think that in-form Dusseldorf should get the job done here. Home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: TOTAL GOALS – ONE

Despite Dusseldorf’s four goals in two games, neither of the teams are known for their proficiency up front and don’t tend to score a lot of goals, with Dusseldorf netting 37 and Kaiserslautern 29 goals in 34 games last season. In addition, both coaches prefer a defence-minded approach and this is likely to lead to a very boring game with perhaps just one goal.

HEAD TO HEAD

The last two meetings between Dusseldorf and Kaiserslautern have ended in draws.

Dynamo Dresden - SV Sandhausen

Dresden set to claim their second home win in a row

TEAM NEWS

Dresden have Justin Lowe, Pascal Testroet and Eero Markkanen out with injuries, while Niklas Hauptmann is still doubtful with calf problems.

Sandhausen are still missing Mirco Born, Rick Wulle, Tim Kister and Robert Herrmann.

Dresden

Suspended: None

Doubtful: Niklas Hauptmann (calf)

Injured/unavailable: Justin Lowe (ankle), Pascal Testroet (knee)

Sandhausen

Suspended: None

Doubtful: Andrew Wooten (unspecified)

Injured/unavailable: Mirco Born (knee), Rick Wulle (knee), Robert Herrmann (broken foot)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Dresden have got off to a good start this season, having claimed a win in their opener against Duisburg at home, followed by a deserved draw against St. Pauli. Of course, they will be hoping for this unbeaten run to continue, but such promising results at the beginning of the new campaign have come as a surprise. They beat lower league team Koblenz 3-2 in the cup last Friday, but were lucky to secure a win as youngster Markus Schubert saved a penalty in the last minute.

Nevertheless, this might be a tricky game for them as they will face very uncomfortable opponents. With one of the best starts in the club’s history, Sandhausen are yearning for more. The team were close to winning at Kiel in the opener but conceded a late equaliser while they won deservedly 1-0 against Ingolstadt, who are a higher rated team. Sandhausen can count on a strong defence and fast counter-attacks which appears to have hurt some of their opponents already. Sandhausen were knocked out against lower league outfit Schweinfurt in the cup on Sunday.

This will be a tough encounter with both teams having started the season with an unbeaten run. I’ll back a home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: HALF TIME HAD – DRAW

Both teams count on a strong defensive line. Having lost just two of their last 15 home games, they are solid and defend better in front of their own fans and Sandhausen will find it difficult to score against them. A scoreless draw at half time is therefore possible.

HEAD TO HEAD

The teams last met in March, with Dresden beating their opponents 2-0 in front of their own fans. However, Sandhausen won their own home game 2-0 in September the year before.