FC Heidenheim - FC Ingolstadt 04

Ingolstadt to nick this crucial clash at Voith Arena

TEAM NEWS

Heidenheim will be without the injured Marnon Busch, Oliver Steurer, Arne Feick, Kolja Pusch and Timo Beermann, but they have an otherwise full squad available for the clash against Ingolstadt.

Ingolstadt have a fully fit squad available, with the exception of Dario Lezcano, who has been ruled out for the next few weeks.

Heidenheim

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Marnon Busch, Oliver Steurer (both knee); Timo Beermann (calf), Arne Feick (ankle), Kolja Pusch (hip)

Ingolstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Dario Lezcano (broken nose)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN 

Frank Schmidt’s Heidenheim crashed to two damaging away defeats in their last two outings. After a 3-2 loss at Dresden three weeks ago, the team were easily swept aside by third-placed Holstein Kiel before the international break, losing 2-1. Worryingly for Heidenheim, they have picked up only one win in their last six league fixtures. The side remain 14^thin the table, only one point above the drop zone.

Ingolstadt are pushing for the promotion playoff place. They are currently seven points and three places behind Holstein Kiel, who are occupying that coveted spot, after inflicting a 4-2 win on lowly Dresden two weeks ago. Stefan Leitl’s team have had a mixed bag of results lately, but the home win against Dresden has put them back on track. The Schanzer have won five on the road in the 2. Bundesliga this season.

With Ingolstadt not giving up on place three, the Schanzer will be desperate to add another three points to their tally at the weekend. I’ll be backing an Ingolstadt victory this Saturday.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – ODD 

All eight fixtures between Heidenheim and Ingolstadt in all competitions have finished with odd goals. With that in mind, have a punt on odd goals to be scored at the Voith Arena again.

HEAD TO HEAD

These teams have only met once in Heidenheim in the 2. Bundesliga, in a close game which was won by Ingolstadt 1-0. Back in October, the reverse fixture ended in a 3-0 win for Ingolstadt too.

MSV Duisburg - 1.FC Kaiserslautern

Duisburg to take all three points on home ground

TEAM NEWS

Andreas Wiegel is still on Duisburg’s list of absentees, but there have been no fresh injury worries for coach Ilija Gruev.

Kaiserslautern have five players on their injury list as Kacper Przybylko, Patrick Salata, Daniel Halfar and are all absent. In addition, Jan Ingwer Carllsen Bracker faces a suspension after his red card against St. Pauli last time out.

Duisburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Andreas Wiegel (meniscus)

Kaiserslautern

Suspended: Jan-Ingwer Carllsen Bracker

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Kacper Przybylko (foot), Patrick Salata (knee); Daniel Halfar (hip)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Duisburg’s playoff hopes are hanging by a thread after a 3-2 loss at Braunschweig two weeks ago, which was their third defeat in four matches. The Zebras are still in with a small chance of a spot in the top 3, even though they have slipped seven points behind third-placed Holstein Kiel. Nevertheless, Ilja Gruev’s men have lost just four games at Schauinslandreisen Arena this season.

Despite earning a decent 1-1 home draw with only 10 men against mid-table team St. Pauli before the international break, Kaiserslautern are still in real trouble. The Red Devils are at the bottom of the table going into this one and are eight points from safety. They are  the second worse team on the road, with ten of their 25 points secured on their travels.

Duisburg have lost just one of their last nine league games at Schauinslandreisen Arena, and I fancy the Zebras to take all three points against bottom-of-the-league Kaiserslautern on Saturday. Back the Duisburg win.

SECOND PREDICTION: TOTAL GOALS – THREE 

Both teams have been conceding goals regularly recently and that might result in goals here. In fact, both of Duisburg’s last two matches have seen exactly three total goals while there have been 12 in Kaiserslautern’s last four. I expect three total goals here too. 

HEAD TO HEAD

Duisburg’s 1-0 win at Betzenberg back in October was their first league victory over Kaiserslautern since May 2009.

Dynamo Dresden - 1.FC Nürnberg

All square at DDV Arena

TEAM NEWS

Dresden are still without the long-term injured Pascal Testroet and Soren Gonther.

Nurnberg’s key players Mikael Ishak and Sebastian Kerk will miss out with long-term injuries while Enis Alushi and Dennis Lippert are both unavailable with knee problems. 

Dresden

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

Nurnberg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Dresden may have been beaten 4-2 at promotion-chasing Ingolstadt two weeks ago, but there were plenty of positives to take from that defeat in Bavaria for boss Uwe Neuhaus. The team refused to give up after going 2-0 down in the first half and managed to draw 2-2 until the final minutes of the game when they conceded another two goals. Prior to that loss, Dynamo had picked up nine points from their previous four fixtures, but they are still in trouble as they are only two points above the relegation zone.

Nurnberg have been making a pig’s ear of their promotion challenge of late. The club have won just one of their last six in the 2. Bundesliga and have picked up only two victories since beating Union Berlin 1-0 in late January. They could only manage a 1-1 draw against lowly Darmstadt at home in their last league outing and their form will need to improve drastically if they want to keep hold of second place until the end of the season as they are only two points ahead of third-placed Holstein Kiel and have lost contact to leaders Dusseldorf. 

Dresden have accumulated a respectable 18 points at DDV Arena, winning five of their 13 home league games along the way. Nurnberg will back themselves to take all three points from this fixture, and I would normally fancy them here but not with their actual form. Therefore I’ll take a shot on the draw.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST HALF HAD - DRAW

Nine of Nurnberg’s 13 away matches have been level at half time. They have failed to open the scoring in their last four league games while Dresden have conceded the first goal in three of their last four. The statistics point towards a low-scoring first half, which will probably end level.

HEAD TO HEAD

Dynamo Dresden have picked up just one win and four draws in their last 11 meetings with Nurnberg in all competitions.

Erzgebirge Aue - Greuther Fürth

Six-pointer at the wrong end of the table

TEAM NEWS

Aue have no new injury concerns. The only two players not at their disposal due to injury are Nicolai Rapp and Soren Bertram. Furthermore, they are without the suspended Dominik Wydra who saw his fifth yellow card last round.

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

Aue

Suspended: Dominik Wydra

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nicolai Rapp (foot), Soren Bertram (thigh)

Greuther Furth

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Hannes Drew’s Aue have responded well following their disastrous January. Since losing three in a row at the beginning of the year, the Viola have got back on track in the 2. Bundesliga, winning one and drawing four. Despite this unbeaten run, Aue are still in 16^th spot, one point from safety. Aue are strong on their own patch where they have secured 19 of their 30 points, and they will back themselves to seal all three points in this important match on Monday. They drew 0-0 at Berlin to Union last weekend.

Greuther Furth have been like a machine in recent months, winning four and drawing four whilst losing just once of their previous nine 2. Bundesliga matches. They have fired themselves out of the drop zone with those results. Last Saturday, goals from Julian Green and Mario Maloca gave them an important 2-1 home win over rock-bottom Kaiserslautern. The Shamrocks sit four points and two positions above Aue in the table, but they still have the worst away record in the league, with seven points from 13 games.

This truly is a six-pointer at the wrong end of the table, which neither side can afford to lose. However, I feel that home advantage could be the decisive factor here, so I’m siding with an Aue win against weak travellers Furth.

SECOND PREDICTION: CORRECT SCORE – 1-0

Three of Aue’s last five home league wins have all been narrow 1-0 victories. One goal could be enough to nick this clash and I’m siding with just a solitary goal to be notched by the hosts here.

HEAD TO HEAD

Goals by Khaled Narey and Daniel Steininger sealed a 2-1 win for Greuther Furth over Aue when they squared off at Sportpark Ronhof back in October. None of the last seven meetings have been won by the away side.

Eintr. Braunschweig - MSV Duisburg

Duo to cancel each other out

TEAM NEWS

Braunschweig have Julius Biada out injured while Joseph Baffo has suffered a knee injury and is unavailable, too. The side are missing two more players in Steve Breitkreuz and Ken Reichel.

Both Andreas Wiegel and Cauly Oliveira Souza are still on Duisburg’s list of absentees, but there have been no fresh injury worries for coach Ilija Gruev. However, they have to find a replacement for the suspended Lukas Frode and Stanislav Iljutcenko against Braunschweig.

Braunschweig

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Joseph Baffo (knee); Julius Biada, Steve Breitkreuz (both unspecified), Ken Reichel (calf)

Duisburg

Suspended: Lukas Frode, Stanislav Iljutcenko

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Andreas Wiegel (meniscus), Cauly Oliveira Souza (virus)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Too many draws have prevented Braunschweig from mounting a serious promotion bid this season. In fact, 12 draws, including a 0-0 stalemate at Hamburg against St. Pauli last Saturday, have left Eintracht in 13^th spot in the 2. Bundesliga table, eight points away from the promotion playoff place. On a positive note, Braunschweig have been beaten only once in their last five league matches.

Duisburg had been going great guns under Ilja Gruev, but four points from their last five games have seen the Zebras slip down to sixth. Duisburg lost at home against leaders Dusseldorf 2-1 last Sunday and are now four points behind the promotion playoff place – they are also seven points ahead of the drop zone. Duisburg could really do with getting back on track in Braunschweig on Sunday. However, they lost the last two on the road, but still have the fourth best record away from home in the league.

Duisburg have not won at Eintracht Stadium in the 2. Bundesliga since 2003 and I fancy them to be beaten by the hosts on Sunday again. Put your money on a Braunschweig victory.

SECOND PREDICTION: EVEN/ODD – ODD

Each of Braunschweig’s last two wins have come by a solitary goal. With that in mind, back odd goals to be notched at Eintracht Stadium.

HEAD TO HEAD

When these two last met at Schauinsland Reisen Arena in the reverse fixture in October, the game ended with a scoreless draw. Overall, Braunschweig have the edge in this head-to-head though, with 13 wins, nine draws and four defeats in 26 meetings at home.

FC Ingolstadt 04 - Dynamo Dresden

Visitors to leave Duisburg with all three points

TEAM NEWS

Ingolstadt have a full squad available, but Dario Lezcano is injured and ruled out for the next few weeks.

Dresden are still without the long-term injured Pascal Testroet, Soren Gonther and Marco Hartmann.

Ingolstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Dario Lezcano (broken nose)

Dresden

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Ingolstadt have had a pretty average season thus far, accumulating 34 points from 26 games. The Schanzer are just four points clear of the drop zone, although they have looked in no real danger of going down this campaign. Last Saturday, Ingolstadt clinched a 1-1 draw at bottom dwellers Darmstadt, their first point since drawing at Aue in the middle of February. However, although they had big ambitions at the beginning of this season they have one of the worst home records, having won just four of their 12 league games in front of their own crowd.

Dresden are finally showing signs of life having won four of their last six. Since losing to Sandhausen at the end of January, which was their third league defeat in a row, Dynamo have turned things around. The team did lose 2-0 at home to Darmstadt two weeks ago, but returned to winning ways last Friday as they squeezed past Heidenheim with a 3-2 win at the DDV Arena. Uwe Neuhaus’ men are currently in ninth in the second-tier table.

After losing a lot of ground in recent weeks, Ingolstadt will be looking to hit back here. It could be close, but I am backing Ingolstadt to claim all three points at Audi Sportpark.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – EVEN

All of the last five competitive meetings between these two sides have finished with even goals. Take a punt on even goals to be notched at Audi Sportpark on Sunday afternoon.

HEAD TO HEAD

Ingolstadt have won just one and drawn four of their last five home meetings with Dresden.

1.FC Nürnberg - SV Darmstadt 98

Hosts to claim victory on Sunday

TEAM NEWS

Nurnberg’s key players Mikael Ishak and Sebastian Kerk will miss out with long-term injuries while Enis Alushi and Dennis Lippert are both out with knee problems. Midfielder Eduard Lowen is still on the sidelines due to a suspension.

Dirk Schuster’s Darmstadt have a full-strength side for this weekend clash, with Peter Niemeyer and Joel Mall the only two absentees.

Nurnberg

Suspended: Eduard Lowen

Doubtful: None

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

Darmstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Peter Niemeyer (foot), Joel Mall (shoulder)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Despite leading the league not too long ago, Nurnberg’s form has dipped ever so slightly of late, with the team winning just one of their last five 2. Bundesliga games. Having not lost in the league since the beginning of November, Michael Kollner and co. will be disappointed with their latest back-to-back losses as they succumbed to a 2-0 derby defeat against Greuther Furth, followed by a 1-0 loss at Bielefeld last round. As a result, the team have slipped down to second and are trailing leaders Dusseldorf by five points. Given their current form and key striker Mikael Ishak’s absence, Nurnberg have to find solutions for the upcoming matches.

Lowly Darmstadt held Ingolstadt to a 1-1 home draw last Saturday, after Tobias Kempe netted an 67^th minute equaliser. That result means Darmstadt remain unbeaten in their last three league matches and still hold out hope for survival in the 2. Bundesliga. Sitting in 16^th spot, they are four points from safety. With only eight matches left to play, the team are desperate for points in order to avoid their second relegation in a row.

This is a huge fixture for both and it is a game that neither side can afford to lose. However, Darmstadt have won just three of their 13 away league fixtures this term and could struggle on Sunday. I am siding with a vital Nurnberg victory here.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – NURNBERG

Nurnberg have taken the lead in five of their six home 2. Bundesliga victories this term. Back Nurnberg to score the opening goal on Sunday.

HEAD TO HEAD

In the reverse fixture at Bollenfalltor back in October, Nurnberg beat Darmstadt 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller. Darmstadt have not won a single game in nine attempts at Max Morlock Stadium.

SV Sandhausen - VfL Bochum

Teams set to cancel each other out

TEAM NEWS

Sandhausen will be without Philipp Klingmann, Eroll Zejnullahu, Tim Kister, Andrew Wooten, Julian Derstroff and Ken Gibson who are all out due to injury concerns. Furthermore, the club has to find a replacement for the suspended midfielder Nejmeddin Daghfous.

Bochum coach Robin Dutt has no injury concerns to deal with but he will have to replace Anthony Losilla who is suspended for the game in Sandhausen.

Sandhausen

Suspended: Nejmeddin Daghfous

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Philipp Klingmann (head); Andrew Wooten (pulled muscle), Ken Gibson (calf), Eroll Zejnullahu (knee), Tim Kister (broken foot), Julian Derstroff (pulled muscle)

Bochum

Suspended: Anthony Losilla

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: None

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Sandhausen still have slim aspirations of making the promotion playoffs, but after losing to Regensburg 2-1 on the road last Sunday, they have slipped five points adrift of third place. Nevertheless, Kenan Kocak’s men will not give up on the top three until it is mathematically impossible. The team go into this one having won just one of their last six in the league but they have not lost on their own turf since late November.

Bochum are undefeated in three, having drawn with Nurnberg as well as Holstein Kiel and having beaten Ingolstadt. Last weekend, Kevin Stoger’s goal was enough to seal an excellent 1-1 home draw against third-placed Kiel at the Vonovia Stadium. However, the side are still sitting only one place and one point above the drop zone and are in desperate need of more points in the upcoming weeks as they could still be sucked into the bottom three.

The teams’ last three meetings at Sandhausen have all failed to produce a winner. Given both sides’ recent form, I expect the same here again. Take a punt on a draw.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST HALF HAD – DRAW

In each of Sandhausen’s last four home games against Bochum, the teams have gone into the break level. Things could be tight in the first period on Saturday and I’ll back another low-scoring first half here.

HEAD TO HEAD

Sandhausen have won just one of the past five home meetings between the two. Back in October, the reverse fixture ended in favour of Bochum, who claimed a 2-0 victory.

Union Berlin - Jahn Regensburg

Union Berlin to make home advantage count

TEAM NEWS

Union Berlin are missing the injured Kenny Prince Redond, Sebastian Polter, Michael Parensen and Fabian Schonheim.

Regensburg have no injury or suspension concerns. Coach Achim Beierlorzer can count on a fully fit squad against Union Berlin. The only absentee is Kevin Hoffmann but he is not considered an important player.

Union Berlin

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Fabian Schonheim, Kenny Prince Redondo (both knee); Sebastian Polter (Achilles), Michael Parensen (unspecified)

Regensburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Kevin Hoffmann (adductor)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Union Berlin were pegged back at the death against bottom side Aue last Sunday, with a 0-0 draw at Alte Forsterei. The Union boys have lost two of their past five overall and have picked up only two wins in their last seven on home soil in the league. Andre Hofschneider’s men, who are sitting in eighth, have their work cut out in the race for the promotion playoff place.

After nine wins, three draws and only three defeats in 15 league matches, Regensburg could be dark horses for the promotion playoff spot. Achim Beierlorzer’s side have arguably been the most consistent side in the 2. Bundesliga in recent month and the club are now just two points adrift of the third place after beating Sandhausen 2-1 at home last Sunday. However, their away form has not been the best and they could claim only five from a possible 15 points in their last five away outings. Overall, they have only won three of their 12 games on the road.

Regensburg have lost their last two on their travels and only managed two draws before that. However, they are very close to the top three and should be boosted by their important home win over Sandhausen last time out while Union have a lot important players out. I am backing Regensburg to get back on track on the road and put some pressure on third-placed Kiel.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – UNION BERLIN

Union Berlin have opened the scoring in four of their six home league wins this term. Therefore, put some money on Union Berlin to score first this Saturday.

HEAD TO HEAD

Union Berlin have won two of their three home meetings against Regensburg, with the other one ending in a draw.

1.FC Kaiserslautern - FC St. Pauli

St. Pauli to nick this crucial clash at Betzenberg

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.

St. Pauli’s Ryo Miyaichi, Marc Hornschuh, Waldemar Sobota, Clemens Schoppenhauer, Maurice Litka and Christopher Buchtmann are still absent but are all working on their comebacks.

Kaiserslautern

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

St. Pauli

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Ryo Miyaichi (knee), Marc Hornschuh (back), Christopher Buchtmann (pubis), Waldemar Sobota (heel), Clemens Schoppenhauer (shoulder), Maurice Litka (ankle)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Kaiserslautern fell to yet another road defeat on Saturday – their ninth this season – with the team losing 2-1 to Greuther Furth at the Ronhof Sportpark. It was the Red Devils’ sixth defeat in 12 games in all competitions. Michael Frontzeck’s Kasierslautern are still rooted to the bottom of the table and seven points adrift of safety.

Although St. Pauli’s season has not been as bad as Kaiserslautern’s, the team from Hamburg have massively underachieved so far. St. Pauli have won only four of their last 17 league fixtures, with two of those wins coming in their last four road games. The club from Hamburg lost 2-1 against leaders Dusseldorf two weeks ago but clinched a deserved 0-0 draw against struggling Braunschweig at home last Saturday.

Kaiserslautern have won three of their 13 league games at Betzenberg, while St. Pauli have picked up six 2. Bundesliga wins on the road. The visitors should edge this one, so back a St. Pauli win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: CORRECT SCORE – 1-2

St. Pauli’s last two wins at Betzenberg have been secured by one-goal margins, with both matches ending 2-1 in the team’s favour. One goal could be enough to nick this clash too and I expect a repeat of that scoreline.

HEAD TO HEAD

The teams have met 15 times at Betzenberg since 1977 across all competitions, with the hosts winning nine, drawing two and losing four. This season’s reverse fixture finished in a 1-1 draw in October.

Holstein Kiel - FC Heidenheim

Holstein Kiel to take all three points on home ground

TEAM NEWS

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

Heidenheim will be without the injured Marnon Busch, Oliver Steurer and Timo Beermann, but they have an otherwise full squad available for the clash against Holstein Kiel. Furthermore, they have to find a replacement for the suspended Mathias Wittek after the defender received his tenth yellow card..

Holstein Kiel

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

Heidenheim

Suspended: Mathias Wittek

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Marnon Busch, Oliver Steurer (both knee), Timo Beermann (calf)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Markus Anfang’s Holstein Kiel missed the chance to put pressure on second-placed Nurnberg after they were held to a 1-1 draw by bottom side Bochum at the Vonovia Ruhrstadium last Saturday. Despite winning their last home game against Duisburg the previous weekend, promotion-chasing Kiel have now taken only 12 points from an available 39 since claiming a victory against Dresden at the beginning of November.

Frank Schmidt’s Heidenheim had looked helpless until mid-October, but they have since picked up form and have lost only three of their last 15 league matches. However, Heidenheim have one of the worst away records in the league with just two wins in 13 games. The team held Bielefeld to a 2-2 draw at home two weeks ago but were beaten at Dresden last Friday, with the game ending 3-2.

Neither side are in great form, but Kiel should be looking to bounce back at Holstein Stadium. I’m backing the hosts to claim a vital victory against weak travellers Heidenheim on Friday.

SECOND PREDICTION: TOTAL GOALS – FOUR

Both teams have been conceding goals regularly recently and that might result in goals here. In fact, Holstein Kiel’s last five matches have seen four total goals on average while there have been nine in Heidenheim’s last two. I expect four here.

HEAD TO HEAD

These teams have never met in Kiel in the 2. Bundesliga. Back in October, the reverse fixture ended in a 5-3 win for visitors Holstein Kiel.