SV Sandhausen - FC Ingolstadt 04

Ingolstadt aiming for first points of the season

TEAM NEWS

Sandhausen have Andrew Wooten marked as doubtful and are still missing Mirco Born, Rick Wulle and Robert Herrmann.

Ingolstadt have two players on the injury list in the form of Max Christiansen and Moritz Hartmann, who are suffering from a thigh and muscle injury respectively.

Sandhausen

Suspended:

Doubtful: Andrew Wooten (muscle)

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

Ingolstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Sandhausen were involved in a very entertaining 2-2 draw away to Holstein Kiel in their first 2.Bundesliga match of the season, with Richard Sukuta-Pasu and Philipp Klingmann registering the goals for them. However, the result was disappointing because they dominated the first half and led 2-0 at half time. In the second part of the game they missed several counter-attacks which would have allowed them to increase their lead while their opponents pressed a lot and managed to score a goal of their own in 75^th minute. Sandhausen became panicky and lost control over the game, resulting in a late equaliser in stoppage time which left them very frustrated.

Meanwhile, Ingolstadt coach Maik Walpurgis included four new players in his starting XI against Union Berlin, which came as a big surprise. Phil Neumann, Marcel Gaus, Tobias Schrock and Stefan Kutschke all started the game in the hope that the Bavarian club would register their first win. The team did indeed control the match and played well and fast at the beginning, with their opponents finding it difficult to stop Ingolstadt’s impressive attack. However, despite their superior play well into the second half, the hosts were unable to take the lead and conceded the winning goal, with Union Berlin scoring with a great shot outside the box.

Ingolstadt will have no excuses this time round and will feel the pressure, but they should manage a win here. Sandhausen’s defensive line showed some weakness against Holstein Kiel and Ingolstadt could take advantage of this to secure a victory.

SECOND PREDICTION: INGOLSTADT TO SCORE FIRST

The last four meetings between the teams have all seen the visiting side score first. Coupled with the fact that Ingolstadt are the favourites here, I believe there is a real possibility that they will take the lead here first too.

HEAD TO HEAD

Sandhausen have met Ingolstadt three times at home in Germany’s 2.Bundesliga, registering one win and two defeats, whilst scoring three and conceding six goals.