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.