Fortuna Düsseldorf - Arminia Bielefeld

Another three points for the runaway leaders

TEAM NEWS

Dusseldorf will be without first ‘keeper Michael Rensing again while Gokhan Gul misses out with a head injury and both Andre Hoffmann and Tim Wiesner is unavailable, too.

Bielefeld’s Nils Quaschner is set to miss this game with a knee injury.

Dusseldorf

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

Bielefeld

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nils Quaschner (knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

After a couple of dodgy results on the road, Dusseldorf fired back in style last Sunday, winning 2-1 against Duisburg at the Schauinsland Reisen Arena. In the process, Fortuna restored their five-point cushion at the top of the 2. Bundesliga table. Friedhelm Funkel’s side have the second best home record in the division, winning eight of their 13 fixtures at Esprit Arena.

Jeff Saibene’s Bielefeld are not giving up on a playoff spot after Friday night’s narrow 1-0 win over second-placed Nurnberg briefly fired them back into the race with 38 points after 26 matches. Regensburg’s win over Sandhausen saw Bielefeld drop down to fifth, but the Arminia outfit are certainly the ones to watch in the race the third place. Bielefeld have won two, drawn two and lost only one of the last five league matches.

Dusseldorf have taken slightly more points at Esprit Arena than on the road and they have lost only one of their last five on home turf. In fact, the hosts have won eight of their 13 home league matches so far. I can see Fortuna making that nine from 14 this Friday.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – DUSSELDORF 

Dusseldorf have won their last five home encounters against Bielefeld in a row, the last four without conceding a single goal. The team have taken the lead in all of those. Have a punt on Dusseldorf to score the first goal on Friday.

HEAD TO HEAD

Dusseldorf have won their last five against Bielefeld at Esprit-Arena, the last four without conceding a single goal.