Arminia Bielefeld - SV Darmstadt 98

Bielefeld set to win as they aim to move closer to top six

TEAM NEWS

Bielefeld’s Nils Quaschner is set to miss this game with a knee injury and Stephan Salger is sidelined after his fifth yellow card last time out.

Darmstadt have a fully fit squad at their disposal.

Bielefeld

Suspended: Stephan Salger

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nils Quaschner (knee)

Darmstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: None

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Bielefeld kept their fine run of form with a 2-2 away draw against Duisburg at the Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena last time out. The result means the team have still not lost in the 2. Bundesliga in 2018, having won one and drawn three along the way. Jeff Saibene’s men have been hard to beat at the Schuco-Arena this term, losing only three so far, with their last home defeat suffered at the end of October.

Two defeats on the bounce have seen Darmstadt dropping down to 17^th in the table. The team are two points from safety but still have their six-pointer against Kaiserslautern in hand as the game was postponed in week 19. New coach Dirk Schuster started his tenure with a win and a draw four rounds ago, but the latest two 2-1 defeats, including at Bochum last time out, have dampened the mood at the club.

Given Bielefeld’s recent unbeaten streak at home, this is set to be a stroll in the park for the hosts. Darmstadt are bound to put up a brave fight as always, but Bielefeld should seal a victory here.

SECOND PREDICTION: HALF TIME HAD – DRAW

Darmstadt have been poor up front recently and have scored only one in each of the last four league outings. Bielefeld, meanwhile, have notched 34 goals in 22 league games, only 14 of which have been scored in their ten home games – just six sides have netted fewer in front of their own crowd. I predict a draw at half time.

HEAD TO HEAD

Darmstadt have won both of their last two meetings with Bielefeld, including a 4-3 victory when the pair met at Bollenfalltor earlier in the season.

Holstein Kiel - Erzgebirge Aue

Aue’s woes to continue at Holstein Stadium

TEAM NEWS

Holstein Kiel will have to do without the long-term injured Christopher Lenz, Arne Sicker, Amara Conde and Manuel Janzer while back winger Partick Herrmann saw his fifth yellow card against Kaiserslautern last Friday and faces a suspension here.

Aue have no new injury or suspension concerns. The only player not at their disposal is Nicolai Rapp who has started in 19 of their 22 league matches.

Holstein Kiel

Suspended: Patrick Herrmann

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Christopher Lenz (adductor), Manuel Janzer (Achilles), Arne Sicker (unspecified), Amara Conde (foot)

Aue

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nicolai Rapp (foot)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Holstein Kiel have been in poor form of late. The Storks have fallen to two defeats and eight draws in their last 11 league games, picking up only 11 points from the last 33 on offer. Last Friday, Kiel were embarrassed by bottom side Kaiserslautern in a 3-1 defeat at Betzenberg. As a result of their woeful form, they have lost a lot of ground on leaders Dusseldorf, trailing them by seven points, and if their bad run continues their current position in third place will soon be something of the past. Kiel’s last league win came against Dresden in November at home.

Aue are going through their own tough patch of form at the moment, drawing two and losing three of their last five matches in league. However, last Sunday’s 0-0 draw at home against fifth-placed Ingolstadt has stopped the rot somewhat. The team have dropped down to 15^th after claiming only one win in their last 11 league outings and coach Hannes Drews is a man under serious pressure.

Holstein Kiel will be itching to return to winning ways and they will fancy their chances of claiming a vital victory here. I predict a home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: TOTAL GOALS – THREE

Both teams have been far from impressive recently and, given their porous defences (Holstein Kiel have conceded two or more goals in three of their last five while Aue have shipped nine in their last four), this may result in goals. When these two met in the 3. Bundesliga in their two most recent encounters in Kiel, both matches ended with exactly three goals. I predict the same outcome here.

HEAD TO HEAD

Holstein Kiel have never hosted Aue in the 2. Bundesliga. However, Kiel won 3-0 away from home earlier this season in their most recent meeting in September.

Fortuna Düsseldorf - Greuther Fürth

Easy three points for runaway leaders Dusseldorf

TEAM NEWS

Dusseldorf will be without first ‘keeper Michael Rensing again while Gokhan Gul misses out with a head injury and Tim Wiesner is unavailable, too. They also have Benito Raman suspended.

Greuther Furth won’t have Mathis Bolly, Nik Omladic and Balazs Megyeri at their disposal.

Dusseldorf

Suspended: Benito Raman

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Michael Rensing (broken rib), Gokhan Gul (head), Tim Wiesner (unspecified)

Greuther Furth

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Mathis Bolly (muscle), Nik Omladic (foot), Balazs Megyeri (shoulder)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Dusseldorf’s three-match winning run in 2018 came to an unexpected end as they were beaten convincingly 3-1 by a very motivated Union Berlin side. The team struggled to adopt the same compact style of play as in their last three matches and were clearly overrun at the end of the second half. Despite scoring the first goal of the match in the first part of the game, they conceded two quick goals within four minutes from one another in the second half and although there were still over 20 minutes left to play Dusseldorf never found a way back into the game. However, this is a match the home side will have to win as they host weak travellers Greuther Furth.

Curiously, Greuther Furth have been far superior at home than on their travels this season, with only three of their 23 points secured on away turf. Furth are in fact coming off a 1-0 home win against Dresden and they have the fifth best home record in the 2. Bundesliga. Away from home they are still winless, however, and have only been able to claim three draws in their 11 away matches. No one seems to be able to explain what is going on with Furth, but with such a bad record away from home, it is reasonable to assume that they will be a 3. Bundesliga outfit next season.

Dusseldorf have taken more points at home than on the road, and they are coming up against a Furth side who have the poorest away record in the league. Therefore, I’m predicting a home win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – DUSSELDORF

Dusseldorf should get off the mark first in this match as they have done in five of their last seven meetings with Greuther Furth on their own ground. This weekend’s visitors have conceded the opener in two of their last three league matches on the road. I think that trend will continue here.

HEAD TO HEAD

Dusseldorf have beaten Greuther Furth six times at home and have clinched four draws. They have never lost in front of their own fans against these opponents but succumbed to a 3-1 defeat in their most recent encounter in Furth earlier this season.

FC Ingolstadt 04 - FC St. Pauli

Ingolstadt to close the gap to play off place three with a win here.

TEAM NEWS

Ingolstadt have a full squad available but they have Marcel Gaus sidelined with suspension.

St. Pauli’s Ryo Miyaichi, Marc Hornschuh, Enver Cenk Sahin and Christopher Buchtmann are still absent but are all working on their comeback.

Ingolstadt

Suspended: Marcel Gaus

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: None

St. Pauli

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Ryo Miyaichi (knee), Marc Hornschuh (back), Christopher Buchtmann (pubis), Enver Cenk Sahin (thigh)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Ingolstadt produced a dominant performance on the road to Aue last time out, but they were unable to follow up their 3-0 home victory over Greuther Furth with another success, with the game ending 0-0. Stefan Leitl’s Ingolstadt have been rampaging their way up the 2.Bundesliga table lately. The “Schanzer” have won five, drawn four and lost two in the last eleven league matches to move within three points of the play off place. The “Schanzer” are also unbeaten in their last two home in the 2.Bundesliga, each with keeping a clean sheet.

St. Pauli have been in patchy form in recent weeks. After two straight wins, the Club from Hamburg go into this one having lost two and drawn one of the last three league matches. Having earned a hard-fought 0-0 against in-form side Nurnberg at home on Monday. Nonetheless, sitting in 11th on 28 points, St. Pauli are just five points away from the drop zone and have to look for points in here.

 Ingolstadt have been very strong at home of last, winning three, drawing one and losing one of their last six in the 2.Bundesliga at “Audi Sportpark”. Having drawn the last league game on the road, I’m backing Ingolstadt to hit back with a win on Saturday.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE - INGOLSTADT

The home team should get off the mark early with Sonny Kittel most likely to score. Ingolstadt scored first in three of the last four matches with St. Pauli and I expect this continue here.

HEAD TO HEAD

Back in September, Ingolstadt thumped St. Pauli 4-0 at Millerntor Stadium. However, St. Pauli have an even record at Ingolstadt with two wins, one draw and two defeats.

FC Heidenheim - VfL Bochum

Bochum to continue their upwards trend under Heiko Butscher

TEAM NEWS

Heidenheim will be without the injured Marnon Busch but have an otherwise full squad available for the clash against Bochum. However, they have to find a replacement for defender Kevin Kraus who is serving a one-match suspension after his red card against Regensburg last Saturday.

Bochum’s Timo Perthel is absent due to injury, but the team have no suspensions.

Heidenheim

Suspended: Kevin Kraus

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Marnon Busch (unspecified)

Bochum

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Timo Perthel (knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Heidenheim have been making ground on the table in recent weeks after winning six of their last 11 in the league. However, they were beaten 2-0 by the most in-form team in the 2. Bundesliga, Regensburg, at the weekend. Heidenheim’s main aim will be to secure 40 points as fast as they can to ensure a finish in a safe mid-table position at the end of the campaign, and a win here could lift them into eighth.

Bochum have been in poor form of late. The team have succumbed to four defeats in their last five league games and have not scored a single goal in three of the last four. As a result of their disappointing campaign so far, the club decided to show coach Jens Rasiejewski and manager Michael Hochstatter the door last week. Heiko Butscher has taken charge as interim coach and he managed to beat club rivals Darmstadt 2-1 in his debut on Friday.

Even though Bochum have improved under Butscher, it is hard to make a case for them, but a point should be possible for them. Draw.

SECOND PREDICTION: HALF TIME HAD – HOME WIN

Bochum haven’t scored a first-half goal in their last five league games while Heidenheim have notched five within the first 45 minutes in their last three matches. I envisage a low-scoring first half this Friday too as both teams are under pressure and safety first is key here. However, I do predict Heidenheim to lead at half time here.

HEAD TO HEAD

The teams have met only three times in the league at Heidenheim since 2014, with the hosts winning one, drawing one and losing one.

1.FC Kaiserslautern - SV Sandhausen

Kaiserslautern to register back-to-back home victories

TEAM NEWS

Kaiserslautern have five players on their injury list as Kacper Przybylko, Patrick Salata, Giuliano Modica, Daniel Halfar and Mads Albaek are all absent while captain Christoph Moritz received his fifth yellow card against Holstein Kiel last Friday and is suspended.

Sandhausen will be without Damian Rossbach, Philipp Klingmann, Andrew Wooten and Ken Gibson who are all out due to injury concerns.

Kaiserslautern

Suspended: Christoph Moritz

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Kacper Przybylko (foot), Mads Albaek (pubis); Patrick Salata, Giuliano Modica (both knee); Daniel Halfar (hip)

Sandhausen

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Damian Rossbach, Philipp Klingmann (both head); Andrew Wooten (pulled muscle), Ken Gibson (calf)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Kaiserslautern produced one of last round’s surprise results when they beat third-placed Holstein Kiel 3-1 at home. They put up a very defensive-minded 4-4-1-1 formation and did well to frustrate their opponents to gain the win. Michael Frontzeck’s men had been in very poor form before registering wins in both of their last two games. After their second home win of the season, Kaiserslautern are still sitting at the bottom of the table and are four points adrift, but with one match in hand they are in a position to close the gap to the teams above.

Sandhausen only managed a scoreless draw at home against Braunschweig last Sunday. However, Kenan Kocak’s men head into this match having won three, drawn two and lost one of their last six league games. The team have struggled on the road of late though, losing five of the last seven. They are seventh in the table having accumulated 32 points from 22 games.

Kaiserslautern have been celebrating a revival under new coach Frontzeck, with the 53-year-old winning both of his opening games. The team clearly have the momentum and I’m backing them to claim their second home win on the bounce on Friday.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – KAISERSLAUTERN

Kaiserslautern have scored the opening goal in each of their last two victories, with both goals arriving within the first four minutes of the games. Furthermore, they have got off the mark first in four of their last five home games against Sandhausen. Back Kaiserslautern to notch the first goal on Friday.

HEAD TO HEAD

Kaiserslautern have won all of their five meetings with Sandhausen at home and have kept clean sheets in the last three.

FC St. Pauli - 1.FC Nürnberg

Another Nurnberg win seems likely against home struggling St. Pauli

TEAM NEWS

St. Pauli’s Ryo Miyaichi, Marc Hornschuh, Enver Cenk Sahin and Christopher Buchtmann are still absent but are all working on their comeback.

Nurnberg’s key player Sebastian Kerk will miss out with a long-term injury while Enis Alushi and Dennis Lippert are both out with knee problems. Furthermore, they have Lucas Hufnagel and Georg Margreitter marked as doubtful. The team are also without their quick winger Edgar Salli after a red card against Union Berlin last Friday.

St. Pauli

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Ryo Miyaichi (knee), Marc Hornschuh (back), Christopher Buchtmann (pubis), Enver Cenk Sahin (thigh)

Nurnberg

Suspended: Edgar Salli

Doubtful: Lucas Hufnagel (ankle), Georg Margreitter (pulled muscle)

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

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

St. Pauli have been far too inconsistent for Markus Kauczinski’s liking so far this season. Two back-to-back losses have seen St. Pauli falling from the top six to mid-table. Over the years, the Millerntor has been somewhat of a fortress, but St. Pauli have won only two of their 11 league games on their own patch. They were beaten 3-1 at Heidenheim last time out.

Nurnberg claimed an impressive 4-1 victory at home against Aue last Friday, with midfielder Kevin Mohwald scoring a brace. The club remain second in the 2. Bundesliga and are trailing leaders Dusseldorf by three points, while they are boasting the best goal difference at +17. They have scored at least one in each of their nine league games, but  top scorer Mikael Ishak has not found the net in their last three games. Nurnberg is on a nine games unbeaten run.

Nurnberg have taken more points on the road than at home this term, and they are coming up against a St. Pauli side who have the second poorest home record in the league. Therefore I’m predicting an away win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: HALF TIME HAD – DRAW

Five of the teams’ last seven meetings have been level at half time. I expect this to continue.

HEAD TO HEAD

St. Pauli drew 1-1 against Nurnberg in their last home game in October 2016. Overall, they have picked up six wins, four draws and four defeats in front of their own fans against these opponents.

SV Sandhausen - Eintr. Braunschweig

Sandhausen unable to make it fourth home win in a row

TEAM NEWS

Sandhausen will be without Damian Rossbach, Philipp Klingmann, Andrew Wooten, Ken Gibson and Stefan Kulovits, who are all out due to injury concerns.

Braunschweig have Julius Biada out injured while Mirko Boland and Joseph Baffo have suffered a knee injury and are unavailable too.

Sandhausen

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Damian Rossbach, Philipp Klingmann (both head); Andrew Wooten (pulled muscle), Stefan Kulovits (unspecified), Ken Gibson (calf)

Braunschweig

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Joseph Baffo, Mirko Boland (both knee); Julius Biada (unspecified)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Sandhausen’s four-match unbeaten run came to an end last Friday as they were very unlucky to be beaten 1-0 by league leaders Dusseldorf. The team struggled to find the same goalscroing form as in their last four matches and the best opportunity was missed by defender Tim Kister from the penalty spot in the 75^th minute. Nevertheless, coach Kenan Kocan was happy with his team’s performance as they were in the game all the time, with only luck the deciding factor. They will be looking to get back to winning ways straight away against Braunschweig.

Braunschweig are going through another tough patch of form, having won one, drawn one and lost three of the last five matches in the league. Their 2-1 home defeat to bottom side Kaiserslautern last Sunday left coach Torsten Lieberknecht very disappointed. The team have dropped down to 13th as a result for their poor recent form and are now only three points above the drop zone.

Braunschweig  have never lost away at Sandhausen and although they have not at all been convincing of late, I think they could get at least a draw here as they have been hard to beat on the road this season.

SECOND PREDICTION: CORRECT SCORE – 0-0

Braunschweig have kept five clean sheets in their last seven league matches at Sandhausen. Sandhausen have not managed to score in two of their last three league games. I predict a 0-0 draw.

HEAD TO HEAD

Sandhausen have hosted Braunschweig seven times in the 2. and 3. Bundesliga. Six of  those matches have ended with a win for the visitors while there has been one draw.

Greuther Fürth - Dynamo Dresden

Greuther Furth to extend good home record

TEAM NEWS

Greuther Furth won’t have Mathis Bolly, Nik Omladic and Balazs Megyeri at their disposal.

Dresden are still without the long-term injured Pascal Testroet, Soren Gonther and Marvin Schwabe while they have Niklar Kreuzer, Jannik Muller and Haris Duljevic sidelined with suspensions.

Greuther Furth

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Mathis Bolly (muscle), Nik Omladic (foot), Balazs Megyeri (shoulder)

Dresden

Suspended: Haris Duljevic, Niklas Kreuzer, Jannik Muller

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Pascal Testroet (knee), Soren Gonther (Achilles), Marvin Schwabe (meniscus)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Greuther Furth were easily beaten 3-0 away at Ingolstadt last Saturday, which has left them languishing in 17^th place in the 2. Bundesliga table. However, their home form is rather different from their away record, having won four and drawn two of their last six on home soil. In fact, 17 of their 20 points have been claimed at home, which gives them the seventh best home record in the league. No one seems to be able to explain what is going on with Furth, but with such a good home form it is reasonable to back them here.

After three defeats in a row, Dresden hit back in style last Sunday when thumping Bochum 2-0 at the DDV-Stadium. After a couple of setbacks here and there, Dynamo have gone back to their style of play, which was absolutely needed. The team have moved up into 12^th, but they are only four points above the drop zone.

Damir Buric’s Furth are fighting for their lives and every 2. Bundesliga point gained from now until the end of the season will be vital in their quest for survival. After beating Dresden in their previous four home matches, I’m predicting Greuther Furth to make it win number five in a row at home.

SECOND PREDICTION: HALF TIME HAD – HOME WIN

Greuther Furth have managed to lead at half time in four of their last four home matches while Dresden have failed to be ahead at the break in four of their last five. I think Furth will start this game better and be winning at the break.

HEAD TO HEAD

Greuther Furth have won their last four home games against Dresden, including a narrow 1-0 victory at the Sportpark Ronhof when the pair met in April 2017.

Erzgebirge Aue - FC Ingolstadt 04

Ingolstadt set to continue their upward trend against struggling Aue

TEAM NEWS

Aue have no injury or suspension concerns. The only player not at their disposal is Moise Ngwisani who doesn’t play an important role in their squad.

Ingolstadt have a full squad available.

Aue

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Moise Ngwisani (unspecified)

Ingolstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: None

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Aue crashed to their tenth defeat of the season last Friday, losing 4-1 to Nurnberg at the Max Morlock Stadium. Aue are in dismal form having lost their last three in the league and winning just one of their last five on home soil. These are no doubt worrying times for Hannes Drews and he has to deliver results in the upcoming matches – otherwise it could soon be his last game as the team’s head coach.

Ingolstadt sealed a vital and much-needed 3-0 win over lowly Greuther Furth last Saturday. That was Ingolstadt’s first league win in 2018, but it has lifted them up to fourth. They have been showing signs of being real promotion contenders recently, winning five of their past ten league matches. Ingolstadt’s top scorer Sonny Kittel was on the scoreboard again last time out after an eight-match goal drought.

In reality, I can’t see anything other than an Ingolstadt victory here. Stefan Leitl’s men have been playing well of late, so seeing off Aue should be no problem for them. Back Ingolstadt to leave with the three points.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – INGOLSTADT

Ingolstadt should get off the mark first in this match as they have done in three of their last five visits to Aue. This weekend’s hosts have conceded the opener in two of their last three league matches. I think that trend will continue here.

HEAD TO HEAD

Aue have beaten Ingolstadt three times away from home, but at home they are winless in five in the league, drawing three and losing two.

VfL Bochum - SV Darmstadt 98

Bochum vs Darmstadt

Six-Pointer to end in home win for Bochum

TEAM NEWS

Bochum’s Timo Perthel is absent due to injury, but the team have no suspension concerns.

Darmstadt have a fully fit squad at their disposal.

Bochum

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Timo Perthel (knee)

Darmstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: None

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

After a shock 2-0 loss on the road at Dresden last Sunday, Bochum are now on a four-match losing streak and have only managed a 1-0 win over Regensburg in their last five league games. They are sitting only two places and one point above Darmstadt, who occupy the relegation playoff spot. This means that relegation remains a possibility and this match against another candidate for the drop will be very important for them.

Despite a slight upswing in fortunes of late, Darmstadt head to the Vonovia Ruhr Stadium having lost 2-1 at home against Duisburg last time out. It was a tight fixture with both teams level until five minutes from time. However, the team had claimed four points in the previous two fixtures.

Darmstadt’s trip to Bochum on Friday should be a tough one. Both teams are really under pressure and this is a six-pointer for the two of them. For me, this game is very hard to predict, but considering all these criteria I think a draw is the most likely choice here.

SECOND PREDICTION: HALF TIME HAD – DRAW

Bochum haven’t scored a first-half goal in their last four league games while Darmstadt have notched only two in their last seven. I can envisage a low-scoring first half this Friday too. Both teams are under pressure and safety first is key here. I predict a scoreless first 45 minutes.

HEAD TO HEAD

The teams have met only three times competitively at Bochum since 1979, with the hosts winning one, drawing one and losing one.

1.FC Kaiserslautern - Holstein Kiel

Kaiserslautern vs Holstein Kiel

Holstein Kiel to register first win in three months

TEAM NEWS

Kaiserslautern have five players on their injury list as Kacper Przybylko, Patrick Salata, Giuliano Modica, Daniel Halfar and Mads Albaek are all absent.

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

Kaiserslautern

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Kacper Przybylko (foot), Mads Albaek (pubis); Patrick Salata, Giuliano Modica (both knee); Daniel Halfar (hip)

Holstein Kiel

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Kaiserslautern produced one of the surprise results last weekend as they beat Braunschweig 2-1 away from home. They put up a 4-2-3-1 formation and did well to frustrate their opponents, with Lukas Spalvis scoring a brace within the first 34 minutes. Michael Frontzeck’s men had been in very poor form before that latest win, with two draws and three defeats in the last six matches. Nevertheless, that victory should give them a confidence boost ahead of the upcoming matches. The team still sit at the bottom of the table and are eight points from safety. They are desperate for points.

Holstein Kiel have been very hard to beat under Markus Anfang this season and they make the trip to bottom side Kaiserslautern having lost only one of their past 14 league matches. However, they haven’t won since early November either. The Storks registered their fourth consecutive draw at the Holstein Stadium against high-flying Regensburg last Saturday afternoon, with the game ending 1-1. They now have a great opportunity to get back to winning ways.

Holstein Kiel are in a position to close the gap on second-placed Nurnberg to just one point if they can claim a vital victory here. This has the potential to go either way, but I believe the visitors can nick the three points. I’m backing a Holstein Kiel win.

SECOND PREDICTION: TOTAL GOALS – TWO

Three of Kaiserslautern’s last four home matches finished with exactly two total goals as did Holstein Kiel’s most recent league outing. The visitors have also scored exactly two on average away from home this season. The statistics indicate that we may see two total goals again here. 

HEAD TO HEAD

Kaiserslautern have never hosted Holstein Kiel in the 2. Bundesliga. However, Kiel won 2-1 at home earlier this season in their most recent meeting in September.