Holstein Kiel - FC Ingolstadt 04

Top clash in 2. Bundesliga

TEAM NEWS

Holstein Kiel will have to do without the long-term injured Christopher Lenz and Manuel Janzer.

Ingolstadt have a full squad available.

Holstein Kiel

Suspended:

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Christopher Lenz (adductor), Manuel Janzer (Achilles)

Ingolstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: None

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Holstein Kiel’s excellent run continues. The team were 2-0 down at Nurnberg last Saturday but managed a great comeback with a very late goal to level the game and keep their seven-match unbeaten run alive. The team found their way back into the game with great morale and team spirit. As a reward, they are now leading the table on 30 points. This is an amazing success for the newly promoted club, but it will be hard for them to defend this position in the upcoming weeks as second-placed Dusseldorf have the same points tally and Union Berlin are trailing by only five points. This match will be the next big test for Holstein, although they have nothing to lose as one of the smallest clubs in the 2. Bundesliga.

Ingolstadt managed to register their fourth league win in a row when beating then-leaders Dusseldorf 1-0 at home. It was an even game during which Alfredo Morales scored the winning goal shortly before the half time. Ingolstadt remain fifth in the 2. Bundesliga, while they have a goal difference of +8. Their latest win aside, they have scored at least two goals in each of the previous five league matches. If they can beat Holstein Kiel then Ingolstadt should be able to close the gap to the top three and return to the battle for promotion.

Both teams are absolutely in-form and I expect a big fight between them. I think we will see a very close game which Ingolstadt will win in the end.

SECOND PREDICTION: TOTAL GOALS – FOUR

I expect goals for both teams and it is just a case of how many. Holstein Kiel and Ingolstadt were free-scoring in the last matches – therefore both need to be at their very best defensively in order to keep the goal count down. Three of Ingolstadt’s last five away games have seen exactly four goals in total and with Holstein Kiel’s matches averaging 3.71 this term, I think another four goals are on the cards here.

HEAD TO HEAD

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

Einer. Braunschweig - 1.FC Nürnberg

Hosts set to claim win number 11 against Nurnberg

TEAM NEWS

Braunschweig’s key striker Domi Kumbela is out injured while Mirko Boland and Joseph Baffo have suffered knee injuries and are unavailable.

Nurnberg’s key players Adam Zrelak, Enis Alushi and Sebastian Kerk will miss out with long-term injuries while Dennis Lippert is out with a knee problem, but he does not play an essential role at the club.

Braunschweig

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Mirko Boland, Joseph Baffo (both knee); Domi Kumbela (unspecified)

Nurnberg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Sebastian Kerk (hamstring); Enis Alushi, Dennis Lippert (both knee); Adam Zrelak (broken foot)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Braunschweig produced an average performance last time out on the road as they were unable to beat struggling Bielefeld in a 2-2 draw. They took the lead after falling 1-0 behind in the seventh minute but produced too many mistakes towards the end of the game and conceded a late equaliser in the 90^th minute. The draw means that they are unbeaten in the last five league matches, but in that time they have won only once. In fact, although the team have lost just twice this season, their nine draws in 14 games mean that they have lost considerable ground on the clubs at the top. Braunschweig will need to start to convert those draws into wins soon in order to be in with a chance of closing the gap.

Nurnberg produced another disappointing performance last time out in front of their own fans as they were unable to beat Holstein Kiel despite leading 2-0 until the 71^st minute. The draw ended their negative run of two consecutive defeats, but they will need to work on their defence as they have conceded in all of their last 12 games. It will be important for the team to hit the ground running here as their latest results against these opponents were not the best (one draw and two defeats) whilst the outcome of this game is also likely to have an impact on their involvement in the promotion battle.

Braunschweig tend to do well against Nurnberg in front of their own fans and given Nurnberg’s  current slump, it would be a surprise if the hosts can’t clinch a win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST HALF HAD – BRAUNSCHWEIG

Braunschweig should get off the mark early as they did in their last three home games against Nurnberg, winning at half time. They have a +8 goal difference from the last four games played at their own stadium and I think they will lead at the break here too.

HEAD TO HEAD

Braunschweig’s all-time home record against Nurnberg consists of ten wins, two draws and two defeats. Nurnberg’s last away victory dates back to October 1968 when they beat Braunschweig 2-0 in their stadium.

Jahn Regensburg - MSV Duisburg

Both newly promoted teams aiming for the next win

TEAM NEWS

Regensburg will not have Oliver Hein and Joshua Mees at their disposal.

Zlatko Janjic, Andreas Wiegel and Pierre de Wit are still on Duisburg’s list of absentees, but there are no fresh injury worries for coach Ilija Gruev, although Lucas Frode is out suspended.

Regensburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Oliver Hein (knee), Joshua Mees (pulled muscle)

Duisburg

Suspended: Lukas Frode

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Zlatko Janjic (knee); Pierre de Wit, Andreas Wiegel (both unspecified)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Regensburg were unlucky in their last league outing as they were up 2-0 against St. Pauli on the road but managed only a 2-2 draw. Their defensive work wasn’t up to scratch, but overall the team performed well. Regensburg have now conceded in all 14 league matches this season and the fact that they are not able to keep a clean sheet will be a concern. However, the side have been on a great run in their last three games, winning two and drawing one, and coach Achim Beierlorzer will hope that his team can maintain this form in a bid to stay away from the drop zone.

Duisburg are coming off an incredible 3-0 home win over Aue. They outplayed their opponents and registered one of the best performances so far this season, with the team now sitting in eighth place on 19 points. Coach Ilja Gruev was very pleased with his men, but stressed that this was only one step forward with a lot more steps necessary to confirm their place in the 2. Bundesliga. Following a poor start to the campaign with only two wins in the opening nine matches, Duisburg are now unbeaten in the last five.

Both teams are on a great run and it will be a tough game. I believe in Regensburg’s home advantage as they made it count in their last two home games, winning both. I think we will see another home victory.

SECOND PREDICTION: TOTAL GOALS – THREE

Regensburg and Duisburg have both seen an average of nearly three total goals in their league games so far and a bet on this number seems a good bet as I expect both teams to find the net here.

HEAD TO HEAD

Regensburg have hosted Duisburg only twice in the 2. Bundesliga, winning the latest match 2-0 in 2012 but losing the game before that 5-0 in 2004.

Dynamo Dresden - 1.FC Kaiserslautern

Dresden to claim win against bottom side Kaiserslautern

TEAM NEWS

Dresden are still without the long-term injured Pascal Testroet, Aias Aosman and Marco Hartmann while Soren Gonther has problems with his Achilles tendon and will miss out again. Furthermore, the team are without Philipp Heise due to suspension.

Kaiserslautern have four players on their injury list as Kacper Przybylko, Daniel Halfar, Osayamen Osawe and Mads Albaek are all absent.

Dresden

Suspended: Philip Heise

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Pascal Testroet (knee), Soren Gonther (Achilles); Marco Hartmann, Aias Aosman (both pulled muscle)

Kaiserslautern

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Kacper Przybylko (foot), Mads Albaek (pubis), Osayamen Osawe (toe), Daniel Halfar (unspecified)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Dresden were completely outplayed by Holstein Kiel in their last road game two weeks ago. Their 3-0 defeat left the team frustrated, especially as they had been in good form away from home until early October, but their latest results – a winless run of four games – put them in a difficult situation. Coach Uwe Neuhaus was not pleased with the team last time out and he can’t get away from the fact that they have to invest much more over the upcoming weeks if they do not want to get involved in the relegation battle. As it stands, they are only two points from safety and need every point they can get.

Kaiserslautern managed to arrest their negative run of two defeats in their last home game against Bochum. The 0-0 draw didn’t change the fact that they are still rooted to the bottom of the table, but nevertheless, the team still showed great team spirit. They will now try and build on that result, but given the fact that they have only claimed one win so far this season and are the lowest scorers by far with just eight goals, it is difficult to see them winning here, even though their opponents reside only three places above them.

Dresden are facing harmless opposition and if they can score in this encounter then I am sure they will win. Home victory.

SECOND PREDICTION: HALF TIME HAD – DRAW

With both teams unable to claim any wins in their last four games, they will have to improve considerably, but both have been nervous at the beginning of their games and have mainly been focusing on safety in the first half. In fact, Dresden have scored just twice before the break in their last four matches while Kaiserslautern have managed only one first-half goal during that time. A draw therefore seems a good choice at half time.

HEAD TO HEAD

Dresden have lost only three of their last seven league matches against Kaiserslautern at home.

MSV Duisburg - Erzgebirge Aue

Duisburg to continue with their unbeaten run

TEAM NEWS

Zlatko Janjic and Pierre de Wit are still on Duisburg’s list of absentees, but there are no fresh injury worries for Ilija Gruev.

Aue are without long-term absentee Nicky Adler while Dimitrij Nazarov saw a red card against Regensburg three weeks ago and is suspended for another game.

Duisburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Zlatko Janjic (knee), Pierre de Wit (unspecified)

Aue

Suspended: Dimitrij Nazarov

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nicky Adler (adductor)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Duisburg produced one of the surprise results of the week on the road against Sandhausen in round 13. They put up a 4-4-2 formation and did well to frustrate their opponents, claiming a 1-0 win. Ilija Gruew’s men had been in good form before that win, with one victory and two draws. They now sit in 12^th in the table and have a disappointing goal difference of -4. However, their recent unbeaten streak has allowed them to move away from the relegation places and they are bound to be full of confidence.

Following their 1-1 draw at home against Bielefeld last timeout, Aue only have one win from five league games and a journey to Duisburg will prove a tough test of their credentials. They remain in seventh despite that poor run which is in large part down to a good unbeaten streak earlier in the campaign. However, they are not the best travellers with two wins, two draws and two defeats even though there is a lot of potential in the squad. 

I believe Duisburg are capable of taking the victory here and with their impressive form of late, it seems difficult to look beyond them. Home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – DUISBURG  

Duisburg should get off the mark early in this game as they did in two of the last three matches against Aue, scoring the first goal in both. The team have also scored the opener in two of their last three league matches and this will most likely continue here.  I think they will net the first goal.

HEAD TO HEAD

Duisburg are unbeaten in the last six home matches against Aue, winning the last four and drawing two.

FC Ingolstadt 04 - Fortuna Düsseldorf

Top clash between two hot teams

TEAM NEWS

Ingolstadt have a full squad available.

Dusseldorf will be without first ‘keeper Michael Rensing again as he has broken his ribs, but the club have no further injury concerns. Furthermore, they have to find replacements for Kaan Ayhan and Florian Neuhaus, who are both suspended.

Ingolstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: None

Dusseldorf

Suspended: Kaan Ayhan, Florian Neuhaus

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Michael Rensing (broken rib)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Ingolstadt were lucky enough to find the winning goal against fourth placed Nurnberg during their 2-1 win on Monday two weeks ago. They were level with the home side until the 81^st minute and almost registered their third draw this season but managed to score the winner through a penalty. The team are continuing to edge closer to the top three because after a very weak start to the campaign and they are trailing Union Berlin by only five points. Their recent impressive run of four wins and a draw has put them into a much better situation and they will now firmly believe that they can enter the race for promotion by the end of the year.

Leaders Dusseldorf are travelling to Ingolstadt on a seven-match unbeaten run. Having clinched five wins and two draws, they were on great form before the international break and a win here could allow them to extend their lead over Holstein Kiel. This puts them in a very comfortable situation and with only one defeat so far they do have the momentum. However, this match is likely to be a tough test for them and both of their last matches were disappointing draws against teams in the bottom five.

The fact that Ingolstadt were winning before the break whereas Dusseldorf only managed draws against lowly opponents makes me believe that the hosts could grab a narrow win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: TOTAL GOALS – THREE

Ingolstadt have been scoring a fair amount of goals of late, registering 13 in the last five, and although they are welcoming leaders Dusseldorf, there is no reason why this could not continue. The visitors are capable in attack and should be able to find the net too, having scored in all but one of their league matches this season. With three of Ingolstadt’s last five matches seeing exactly three total goals and Dusseldorf’s last five averaging over two in total, another three goals seem likely here.

HEAD TO HEAD

These two teams have met four times at Ingolstadt in the 2. Bundesliga, with the hosts winning two, registering one draw and suffering one defeat.

FC St. Pauli - Jahn Regensburg

St. Pauli set for the second home win of the season

TEAM NEWS

St. Pauli will be without the long-term injured Ryo Miyaichi, Marc Hornschuh, Aziz Bouhaddouz and Philipp Ziereis while Enver Cenk Sahin and Richard Neudecker will be unavailable too.

Regensburg will not have Oliver Hein, Joshua Mees and Jann George at their disposal.

St. Pauli

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Ryo Miyaichi, Enver Cenk Sahin (both knee); Philipp Ziereis (muscle), Marc Hornschuh (back), Richard Neudecker (unspecified), Aziz Bouhaddouz (calf)

Regensburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Oliver Hein (knee), Joshua Mees (pulled muscle), Jann George (toe)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Regensburg are likely to be the ideal opponents for St. Pauli to get back on track. The team have been thoroughly unconvincing in front of their fans this season, claiming only one win in six matches and securing a joint-second lowest tally of six points at home, making them one of the worst home teams in the league. On a positive note, they have been working hard in front of goal lately, but they still conceded at least one goal in all their last four matches and are winless in those, with the latest ending in a 1-0 defeat at Union Berlin.

Regensburg have registered two consecutive wins in their last two games at home, but on the road they are winless in their last three without scoring a single goal. Coach Achim Beierlorzer will have been looking for solutions over the international break to return to winning ways on the road. He will have to ensure that Regensburg regain the same fighting spirit as at home, but this will be a tough ask against St. Pauli.

Regensburg are the perfect opponents for St. Pauli to claim their second home win, with the visitors struggling considerably away from home recently. I think a home win is on the cards.

SECOND PREDICTION: HALF TIME HAD – DRAW

Both teams have problems – St. Pauli at home and Regensburg on the road. In addition, three of St. Pauli’s last four games have been level at half time in the league. I think this will continue here.

HEAD TO HEAD

St. Pauli have played only once against Regensburg at home in the 2. Bundesliga and managed to win that game via an entertaining 3-2 scorelin.

Arminia Bielefeld - Eintr. Braunschweig

Important match for two struggling clubs

TEAM NEWS

Bielefeld’s Christopher Nothe will be out with a knee problem while Baboucarr Gaye is set to miss this game with a finger injury. In addition, both Brain Behrendt and Julian Borner will be unavailable due to suspension.

Braunschweig’s key striker Domi Kumbela is out injured while Mirko Boland and Joseph Baffo have suffered a knee injury and are unavailable for this game.

Bielefeld

Suspended: Julian Borner, Brian Behrendt

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Christopher Nothe (knee), Baboucarr Gaye (finger)

Braunschweig

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Mirko Boland, Joseph Baffo (both knee); Domi Kumbela (unspecified)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Although Bielefeld have been struggling recently they have been producing good performances and clinched a point at least against in-form Aue before the international break. The team showed character as they fell behind in the 45^th minute, but responded with a late equaliser from Andreas Vogelsammer. Following this draw they have an even league record with five wins, three draws and five defeats. However, after four games without a win, they will hope to turn things around and to celebrate a win in front of their fans for the first time since late August.

Braunschweig have been disappointing lately, especially considering the good football they have been producing at times even during this bad run of results. Having one of the deepest, most talented squads in the league, they need to convince a lot more and turn that positive playing style into positive results. After eight draws and only three wins in the first 13 rounds, the team have be more clinical in their matches. Both of their last games were draws with the most recent game ending 2-2 at home against Darmstadt two weeks ago.

Neither of these teams have impressed recently and this is a tough match to call. However, Bielefeld thrashed Braunschweig by an astonishing 6-0 scoreline earlier this year – and I think they will register another victory here.

SECOND PREDICTION: TOTAL GOALS – TWO

Both teams have found it difficult to find the net in previous games, with both sides scoring an average of one goal in their last four games. With both sides having problems in attack and their games averaging a goal total of three goals or fewer this season, I expect a low-scoring match here with exactly two goals scored.

HEAD TO HEAD

These two teams have met 11 times at Bielefeld across all competitions, with the hosts registering six wins, two draws and three defeats. The last match ended 6-0 in the hosts’ favour.

SV Darmstadt 98 - SV Sandhausen

Darmstadt to bounce back

TEAM NEWS

Peter Niemeyer, Felix Platte and Daniel Heuer Fernandes are the only players on Darmstadt’s injury list.

Sandhausen will be without Mirco Born, Rick Wulle, Damian Rossbach, Andrew Wooten and Korbinian Vollmann, who are all injury concerns.

Darmstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Peter Niemeyer (heel), Daniel Heuer Fernandes (finger), Felix Platte (unspecified)

Sandhausen

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Mirco Born, Rick Wulle (both knee); Korbinian Vollmann (unspecified), Damian Rossbach (head), Andrew Wooten (pulled muscle)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Darmstadt were involved in a very entertaining 2-2 draw away to Braunschweig before the international break, with Marvin Mehlem and Wilson Kamavuaka registering the goals for them. That result kept Torsten Fring’s men in 11^th position with an even goal difference, having scored and conceded 23. They are coming off a seven-match winless run and that draw – their second in a row – will have given them hope to get back on track in the upcoming weeks. This is a game the home side will want to win and their high goal count in front of their own supporters should help them towards a win here.

Sandhausen have been the surprise package of the campaign so far despite losing the last home game to Duisburg 1-0. Having claimed five wins, three draws and five defeats this season, they are sitting in a respectable sixth place at the moment and Kenan Kocak has formed a well-balanced team who tend to give everything. However, although they have got off to a good start to the campaign, they are now winless in the last four, having lost three of them.

I expect Darmstadt to return to winning ways and register their first win in eight games here.  

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – DARMSTADT

Sandhausen have been the first team to concede in all their last four road games while Darmstadt have scored first in their last two home games. With the hosts seemingly picking up their form, they should be the first to find the net here again.

HEAD TO HEAD

Darmstadt have hosted Sandhausen only once in the 2. Bundesliga in a close game, which they won 1-0 in 2015. Overall, they have won all of their last three competitive encounters.

1.FC Nürnberg - FC Ingolstadt 04

Nurnberg set to defend third place

TEAM NEWS

Nurnberg’s key players Adam Zrelak and Sebastian Kerk will miss out with long-term injuries while Dennis Lippert is out with a knee problem, but he does not play an essential role at the club.

Ingolstadt have a full squad available, with the exception of  Marcel Gaus, who will miss this match after his red card against Bielefeld.

Nurnberg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Sebastian Kerk (hamstring), Dennis Lippert (knee), Adam Zrelak (broken foot)

Ingolstadt

Suspended: Marcel Gaus

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: None

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Nurnberg’s unbeaten run came to an unexpected end last weekend as they were beaten 1-0 by a very motivated Heidenheim side. The team struggled to find the same goalscoring form as in their last six matches. Coach Michael Kollner will have been surprised by his men’s disappointing performance and will have been looking for solutions ahead of this game. He will have to ensure that Nurnberg return to their normal selves quickly. However, they sit still in third place but have several other teams hot on their heels, so securing more points straight away will be vital.

After a difficult start to the campaign, Ingolstadt have been improving week after week and they continue their unbeaten run after beating Bielefeld away from home 3-1 last weekend. Their streak of four matches without defeat has put them into seventh, but they are still five points behind third place. However, if they continue this way they can close the gap by the end of the year in what is their actual aim this season – to be back in promotion battle. Both Sonny Kittel and Stefan Kutschke are in great form and have been helping with their goals to extend that good run.

This match is very hard to predict as both teams are very strong, but I tend towards the home side as Ingolstadt have been lucky lately.

SECOND PREDICTION: TOTAL GOALS – THREE

Both teams are in great form and this may result in goals. They are both free-scoring, with Nurnberg netting 26 and Ingolstadt scoring 21 this season. In fact, five of their nine encounters, including friendlies, have resulted in exactly three goals. I can see this happening again here.

HEAD TO HEAD

Nurnberg have played twice against Ingolstadt at home in 2. Bundesliga and have managed to remain unbeaten during that time.

Erzgebirge Aue - Arminia Bielefeld

Very close match expected

TEAM NEWS

Aue are without long-term absentee Nicky Adler while Dimitrij Nazarov saw a red card against Regensburg two weeks ago and is suspended for another two games. Calogero Rizzuto who saw his fifth yellow card against St. Pauli is also on the list of suspended players.

Bielefeld’s Christopher Nothe will be out with a knee problem while Baboucarr Gaye will miss this game with a finger injury. In addition, Brain Behrendt will be unvailable due to suspension.

Aue

Suspended: Dimitrij Nazarov, Calogero Rizzuto

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nicky Adler (adductor)

Bielefeld

Suspended: Brian Behrendt

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Christopher Nothe (knee), Baboucarr Gaye (finger)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Aue managed to arrest their negative run of two defeats by securing two positive results when beating Regensburg 1-0 two weeks ago and drawing 1-1 with St. Pauli 1-1 last time out. The latest draw was a surprise, but the team were lucky in that St. Pauli allowed them to score an easy goal in the second period. Nevertheless, they fought hard to secure their point against a team with much more potential. Aue will now try and build on that result in a bid to register a win in one of their upcoming matches.

Bielefeld were completely outplayed by Ingolstadt in their last home game last Friday. The 3-1 defeat left them frustrated, especially as they had been in control for some parts of the game, but coach Jeff Saibene was pleased with their fighting spirit. However, he can’t get away from the fact that Bielefeld have now lost their last three in a row, conceding seven in the process, after starting the league with five wins, two draws and two defeats.

This game is very hard to predict and I expect a very close one here. Therefore I’ll go with the draw here.

SECOND PREDICTION: TOTAL GOALS – TWO

Aue and Bielefeld have met four times, with two of the four matches producing exactly two goals. With Aue only scoring one or even less in their last four home games and Bielefeld only netting 1.42 on average this season too, this could be another close encounter between these two teams with not many goals scored. I expect two in total.

HEAD TO HEAD

These two teams have met four times at Aue in the 2. Bundesliga, with the hosts winning one whilst registering two draws and one defeat.

Holstein Kiel - Dynamo Dresden

Goals likely to flow as Holstein Kiel post another home win

TEAM NEWS

Holstein Kiel will have to do without the long-term injured Christopher Lenz and Manuel Janzer while Arne Sicker will miss out again with illness. In addition, they have Dominic Peitz unavailable due to suspension after his fifth yellow card against Darmstadt.

Dresden are still without the long-term injured Pascal Testroet and Marco Hartmann while Soren Gonther has problems with his Achilles tendon and will miss out again. Furthermore, the team are without Philipp Heise due to suspension.

Holstein Kiel

Suspended: Dominic Peitz

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Christopher Lenz (adductor), Manuel Janzer (Achilles), Arne Sicker (infection)

Dresden

Suspended: Philip Heise

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Pascal Testroet (knee), Soren Gonther (Achilles), Marco Hartmann (pulled muscle)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Holstein Kiel’s excellent record of eight wins, two draws and just two defeats looks likely to be extended with the visit of Dresden. They have scored at least two goals in five of their six home games, while being undefeated in 15 of their last 16 league matches at home. Holstein Kiel’s second place in the table looks likely to be consolidated here and one of the home team’s most impressive players this season has been the German Marvin Ducksch as the striker has scored nine goals in 12 starts. The team drew 1-1 at Darmstadt last time out.

Following their 1-1 home draw against Braunschweig last weekend, Dresden have only one win from seven games in all competitions and a journey to Kiel will prove a tough test of their credentials. They remain 12^th despite that poor run which is in large part down to a strong run at the beginning of the season when they only lost one of their first six games. They have the ninth best away record in the 2. Bundesliga, with two wins, two draws and two defeats. There are goals in this team as well as creative players and that will give the away side hope.

Dresden are doing much better on the road than in front of their own fans and I therefore think that they can frustrate Holstein Kiel here. Nevertheless, they are playing against an incredible in-form team and I’m siding with a home win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: CORRECT SCORE – 2-1

Holstein Kiel have scored an impressive 29 goals so far this season – the highest in the division and have won two of their last four home games with 2-1 scorelines. Their strong form up front should be enough to hand them another home win here while Dresden have scored once in both of their last two competitive road games. I’ll back another 2-1 win for the hosts here.

HEAD TO HEAD

These teams will meet for the first time in the 2. Bundesliga. They last played each other in the third division in 2015-16, with Dresden recording one win and one draw.