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.