FC Ingolstadt 04 - Holstein Kiel

Narrow victory for the hosts in a top clash

TEAM NEWS

Ingolstadt have a fully fit squad available against Holstein Kiel.

Holstein Kiel will have to do without the long-term injured Amara Conde.

Ingolstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: None

Holstein Kiel

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Amara Conde (foot)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Ingolstadt’s top three ambitions were dealt a huge blow last weekend as they lost to leaders Dusseldorf 3-0. After an average first half to their season, the Schanzer have further gone off the boil in recent weeks, winning only two, drawing four and losing four of their last ten league games. As a consequence, Stefan Leitl’s men have dropped down to seventh in the table.

After an unbeaten run of six matches and 15 points from a possible 21, Holstein Kiel were brought down to earth with a 3-1 home loss against fellow promotion rivals Nurnberg last Monday. However, that was only Kiel’s third defeat in 13 league games, with three wins and seven draws during that time. Nevertheless, gaining automatic promotion to the top flight has now become unlikely for the team from north Germany with five points separating them from Nurnberg. With Dusseldorf amongst their opponents in the final three matches this season, Kiel will be eager to register a good result here – especially as they are only two points ahead of Regensburg in fourth – but their confidence will have received a knock after last weekend’s defeat

Ingolstadt have not convinced recently, but this will be an important match for them. I’ll back the Schanzer to win this one.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – ODD 

Both Ingolstadt’s home victories against Holstein Kiel have come by one goal. Back odd total goals to be scored in Ingolstadt’s favour at the Audi Sportpark this weekend.

HEAD TO HEAD

These teams will meet for the first time at Audi Sportpark in the 2. Bundesliga. The reverse fixture in Kiel finished goalless.

MSV Duisburg - Jahn Regensburg

In-form Regensburg to return home with all three points

TEAM NEWS

Tim Albutat is still featuring on Duisburg’s list of absentees, but there have been no more injury concerns for coach Ilija Gruev.

Regensburg’s Sebastian Freis and Asgar Sorensen will not travel to Duisburg due to injury. Meanwhile, Marvin Knoll will be sitting this game out after collecting his fifth yellow card against St. Pauli in their last league outing.

Duisburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Tim Albutat (knee)

Regensburg

Suspended: Marvin Knoll

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Sebastian Freis (stomach), Asgar Sorensen (thigh)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Duisburg have been struggling in recent weeks, but Sunday’s 3-1 win at Aue arrived without a doubt at the right time to get back on track. That win has lifted them above Aue in the table and they are now in tenth position with 41 points – four points above the drop zone. Of course, they are not safe yet but are very close of achieving that goal.

Regensburg have kept their promotion hopes alive with back-to-back wins. Since losing 3-1 to Aue at Continental Arena earlier this month, Achim Beierlorzer’s men have sealed two victories and one draw, and they are now occupying fourth place. Even though Jahn are outsiders to finish in third, they are only two points behind Holstein Kiel with three matches left. 

With Regensburg still hoping to gate-crash the promotion playoff spot, Achim Beierlorzer will want his side to take all three points here. I fancy Regensburg to sneak a win.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – EVEN 

Eight of the 11 competitive encounters between the pair have finished with even total goals. Therefore, have a punt on even goals to be scored in this one once again.

HEAD TO HEAD

Regensburg have not beaten Duisburg in two attempts at SchauinslandreisenArena, losing one and drawing one during that spell. The reverse fixture finished in a 4-0 home win for Regensburg back in November.

FC Heidenheim - SV Sandhausen

Heidenheim to roar to victory

TEAM NEWS

Heidenheim’s Maurice Multhaup remains on the sidelines with a long-term injury. Furthermoe, Frank Schmidt cannot count on captain Marc Schnatterer and Timo Beermann, who are both out with fresh injuries.

Sandhausen will be without Tim Kister and Ken Gibson, who are both out due to injury concerns.

Heidenheim

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Marc Schnatterer (pulled muscle), Maurice Multhaup (unspecified), Timo Beermann (stomach)

Sandhausen

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Ken Gibson (calf), Tim Kister (broken foot)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Heidenheim’s form has improved drastically at just the right time of their campaign. After losing four in a row, FCH have now won one and drawn one to lift themselves out of the relegation zone. After beating leaders Dusseldorf 3-1 on their own turf two weeks ago, they followed that up with a 1-1 draw against Union Berline at Alte Forsterei. However, the team are still in need of points because they sit only one point above the drop zone with three rounds left to play.

Sandhausen look to have blown their chances of finishing in the top three after only one win, three draws and one defeat in their last five league fixtures. Despite taking the lead early in their last league outing, Sandhausen could not contain bottom side Darmstadt in a hard-fought 1-1 home draw last Saturday. Kenan Kocak’s men are now seven points behind third-placed Holstein Kiel. 

With Heidenheim needing one more win to be sure of survival, they will be aiming to take the game to the visitors from the very first whistle. These two have played out some very close matches and I expect the same again but fancy Heidenheim to edge it at Voith Arena – back the home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – ODD 

Five of Heidenheim’s last eight home victories have come by a one-goal margin. With that in mind, have a punt on odd total goals to be scored in Heidenheim this weekend.

HEAD TO HEAD

There have been eight encounters between these teams at Heidenheim, with the hosts winning four, drawing three and losing one.

FC St. Pauli - Greuther Fürth

All square at Hamburg

TEAM NEWS

St. Pauli’s Marc Hornschuh, Waldemar Sobota, Clemens Schoppenhauer, Svend Brodersen, Bernd Nehrig and Luca-Milan Zander are still absent but are working on their comebacks. Furthermore, the team have to find replacements for both Sami Allagui and Cenk Sahin over the upcoming weeks after they were sent off last weekend.

Mathis Bolly will be the only player not at Greuther Furth’s disposal due to injury.

St. Pauli

Suspended: Sami Allagui, Cenk Sahin

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Marc Hornschuh (back), Waldemar Sobota (heel), Clemens Schoppenhauer (shoulder), Bernd Nehrig (calf), Luca-Milan Zander (thigh), Svend Brodersen (knee)

Greuther Furth

Suspended: None 

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Mathis Bolly (muscle)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

St. Pauli’s awful run continues but a win over Greuther Furth on Saturday would lift them above the Shamrocks in the table. St. Pauli have had a poor season overall and Markus Kauczinski still has a mountain to climb as he attempts to keep the club in the second tier. Saturday’s 3-1 loss at Regensburg was no doubt their next big setback, having lost three in a row, but it is now all in their own hands with the final three matches taking place Furth, Bielefeld and Duisburg. The next two home games could prove to be pivotal in the race for survival. 

Greuther Furth are looking nervously over their shoulders after winning just one, drawing two and losing two of their last five 2. Bundesliga matches. After taking the lead against in-form Bochum early in their last league outing, Damir Buric’s men will have been gutted to concede an equaliser in the 80^thminute to drop two points against Bochum last Friday. The Shamrocsk remain only one point above the drop zone as a result.

With both sides desperate for points, this is set to be a gigantic tussle in Hamburg. However, I can see the pair cancelling each other out at Millerntor Stadium. My money is on a hard-fought draw.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – LOW 

Just three of St Pauli’s ten draws and none of Greuther Furth’s eight have seen more than two total goals. This looks to be a low-scoring draw.

HEAD TO HEAD

Eight of St. Pauli’s last 13 league home meetings against Greuther Furth have ended level, with the most recent one finishing 1-1 last May. St. Pauli have won two while Greuther Furth have managed three victories at Hamburg.

SV Darmstadt 98 - Union Berlin

Important three points for Darmstadt on home soil

TEAM NEWS

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

Union Berlin are missing the injured Sebastian Polter, Jacob Busk Jensen, Grischa Promel, Felix Kroos and Fabian Schonheim.

Darmstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Peter Niemeyer, Yannick Stark (both foot); Joel Mall (shoulder), Baris Atik (unspecified), 

Union Berlin

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Fabian Schonheim, Grischa Promel (both knee), Sebastian Polter (Achilles), Jacob Busk Jensen (unspecified), Felix Kroos (foot)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Darmstadt are living life dangerously as they still sit on 17^thplace in the table following their 1-1 draw away from home to Union Berlin last weekend. Despite an eight-match unbeaten run they are still three points from safety while their recent form hardly backs them up as they have clinched just two wins during that spell, with the other six games ending level. Furthermore, the team have not scored more than one goal in 15 of their last 16 matches.

Union Berlin have had a campaign to forget and Saturday’s 1-1 draw with lowly Heidenheim was another disappointing result at Alte Forsterei. Since beating Sandhausen 2-1 at home back in late February, Union have taken just seven points from the last 21 on offer.

The team remain ninth in the table but are only four points above the drop zone with three matches left.

Darmstadt have never really got going this term, winning just four, drawing five and losing six of their 15 league games at Bollenfalltor. Only one team have secured fewer points on their own turf, but Darmstadt are desperately in need of points and this is almost their last chance in a bid to avoid relegation. I will back them here.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – EVEN

Two of the three meetings between these two sides have finished with even total goals. Back the same outcome in Darmstadt this weekend.

HEAD TO HEAD

Union Berlin and Heidenheim have met at Bollenfalltor on only one occasion, with the hosts winning 1-0. The reverse fixture earlier this season was an entertaining 3-3 draw.  

Dynamo Dresden - Fortuna Düsseldorf

Fortuna to close in on top spot finish with a win

TEAM NEWS

Dresden are still without the long-term injured Pascal Testroet and Soren Gonther while Jannik Muller faces a fresh injury and is unavailable too. Marco Hartmann saw two yellow cards against Kaiserlautern last weekend and is suspended.

Gokhan Gul, Lukas Schmitz, Oliver Fink and Andre Hofmann will be missing this game for Dusseldorf once again due to injury.

Dresden

Suspended: Marco Hartmann

Doubtful: None

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

Dusseldorf

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Gokhan Gul (head), Andre Hoffmann (unspecified), Lukas Schmitz (toe), Oliver Fink (adductor)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Dresden all but guaranteed safety with last weekend’s hard-fought 1-0 win over bottom side Kaiserslautern at Betzenberg. Dynamo’s form has been awful over the past two months, with onlt two wins, two draws and two defeats. However, sitting in 11^thplace on 40 points, their survival in the 2. Bundesliga is now in their own hands as they are three points above the drop zone.

Dusseldorf nearly booked their place in Germany’s 1. Bundesliga last Sunday as they eased to a 3-0 home win over rivals Ingolstadt at Esprit Arena. Fortuna need just one win from their last three games to seal promotion as direct rivals Holstein Kiel and Nurnberg, who are occupying third and second spot, play against each other on Monday evening. Friedhelm Funkel’s men have without doubt been the real deal in the second tier, fully deserving their promotion to the promised land. With 17 wins, five draws and nine defeats, they sit at the top of the standings with 56 point.

Securing promotion to the 1. Bundesliga will taste even sweeter for Fortuna fans if they can achieve this with another two games to go. This should be a stroll in the park for the visitors, so back a Fortuna win.

SECOND PREDICTION: CORRECT SCORE – 1-2 

Dusseldorf have been scoring at least two goals in their last four league wins and that looks set to continue here on their visit to Dresden. However, having drawn a blank in only one of their last six league games, the hosts are clearly capable in attack and should be able to find the net too. I predict a 2-1 away win.

HEAD TO HEAD

Dresden have the edge at home in this head-to-head, with two wins, four draws and one defeat. However, they have not lost in their last six meetings across all competitions against Dusseldorf, winning and drawing three. The last two meetings have seen both teams score.

VfL Bochum - Erzgebirge Aue

Comfortable triumph for the hosts

TEAM NEWS

Bochum coach Robin Dutt has no injury concerns to deal with and can count on a fully fit squad. The only absent players are Stefano Celozzi, Tim Hoogland and Maxim Leitsch, but there should be suitable replacements for both.

Aue have no new injury worries, with Nicolai Rapp and Nicky Adler the only two players not at their disposal. However, they have to deal with two more absentees who were both booked last time out and are now suspended – Philipp Riese and Calogero Rizzuto.

Bochum

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Stefano Celozzi (pulled muscle), Maxim Leitsch (adductor), Tim Hoogland (knee)

Aue

Suspended: Philipp Riese, Calogero Rizzuto

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nicolai Rapp (foot), Nicky Adler (pulled muscle)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Robin Dutt’s Bochum extended their unbeaten run in the league to a staggering eight games following Friday’s hard-fought 1-1 draw at Sportpark Ronhof. After going a goal down in the 27^thminute, Bochum hit back in the second half through Lukas Hinterseer to earn another vital point in their quest for a top-three finish. The team have not been the losing side in the league since falling to a 1-0 defeat at Heidenheim in the middle of February and have clinched three draws and five wins since.

Aue’s hopes of avoiding relegation trouble were dealt another huge blow last weekend as they were beaten 3-1 by struggling Duisburg. Having also lost at Bielefeld two weeks ago, Hannes Drews’ side have now picked up zero points from their last two. With all the other teams around them beside St. Pauli claiming points in the last round, Aue are now only two points above the drop zone but will be facing two other relegation candidates in the last two rounds. 

Bochum have been very strong at Vonovia Stadium lately, winning three and drawing two of their last five on home turf. Being at home on Saturday could give them the edge in this one. I’m backing a Bochum home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: CORRECT SCORE – 2-0

Bochum have won three of their seven home victories 2-0 and Aue have not hit the net in two of their last three away. Another 2-0 win for the hosts is on the cards.

HEAD TO HEAD

Three of the last four fixtures between this pair have ended level with the other one a 4-2 away win for Bochum. The team also have the edge at Vonovia Ruhrstadium with four wins, two draws and one defeat.

Arminia Bielefeld - 1.FC Kaiserslautern

Arminia to take the points on home soil

TEAM NEWS

Bielefeld’s Nils Quaschner and Brain Behrendt are set to miss this game with knee injuries and Julian Borner with calf injury while Florian Dick is ruled out after collecting his fifth yellow card.

Kaiserslautern have three players on their injury list as Kacper Przybylko, Brandon Borrello, Patrick Salata and Daniel Halfar are all absent while Leon Guawara saw his fifth yellow card against Dresden last weekend and is out for this encounter in Bielefeld.

Bielefeld

Suspended: Florian Dick

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nils Quaschner, Brian Behrendt (both knee), Julian Borner (calf)

Kaiserslautern

Suspended: Leon Guawara

Doubtful: None

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

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Bielefeld’s chances of claiming the promotion playoff place seriously diminished last weekend after the side failed to beat in-trouble Braunschweig in an eventual 1-1 draw at Eintracht Stadium. Arminia will still be well and truly satisfied with their campaign, sitting five points off third place in fifth. However, they will be aiming to finish the campaign strongly by extending their unbeaten run over the last four matchdays.

Rock-bottom Kaiserslautern look doomed as their 1-0 defeat against Dresden at Betzenberg last Sunday means they are now eight points from safety. Following their second defeat in a row, they now only have the tiniest glimmer of hope, but with three matches left to play, it looks like they will ply their trade in Germany’s third tier next season. The Red Devils need a miracle if they are to remain a 2. Bundesliga club.

Kaiserslautern have run out of steam and are now almost certain to be a 3. Bundesliga club next season. Bielefeld still have their eyes on a top-three finish and should win this one.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – BIELEFELD

Bielefeld have scored the opening goal in their last five home matches. Back Jeff Saibene’s men to score first in this one, too.

HEAD TO HEAD

Bielefeld have beaten Kaiserslautern 2-0 in their last two meetings.

Holstein Kiel - 1.FC Nürnberg

Promotion six-pointer

TEAM NEWS

Holstein Kiel will have to do without the long-term injured Amara Conde.

Nurnberg’s key player Sebastian Kerk will miss out while long-term injuries while Enis Alushi and Dennis Lippert are both unavailable with injury problems. Tim Leipold saw his fifth yellow card against Ingolstadt and is suspended.

Holstein Kiel

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Amara Conde (foot)

Nurnberg

Suspended: Tim Leibold

Doubtful: None

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

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Holstein Kiel are without a doubt one of the 2. Bundesliga in-form teams at the moment as they are unbeaten in their last six second-tier matches, with their latest match ending in a convincing 4-0 win away to Dresden. Markus Anfang’s side have closed the gap to the top two in recent weeks, moving to within just two points of the automatic promotion places. Since falling to a shock 3-1 defeat against Sandhausen at Hardtwald Stadium back in December, the Storks have won three, drawn seven and lost only two of their following 12 2. Bundeslig games. 

Nurnberg remain in second spot despite taking just six points from the last 18 on offer. Since their 11-match unbeaten run which spanned from November to February, the team’s momentum seems to have disappear, with only one win, three draws and two defeats in their last six matches. Michael Kollner’s men only managed a disappointing 1-1 draw at Ingolstadt last Sunday and with Holstein Kiel breathing down their neck, this match has become very important for them as it would take them one step closer to automatic promotion.

With so much at stake in this one, both teams will be desperate to claim all three points in this crucial clash. However, I can see the pair cancelling each other out at Holstein Stadium. I’m predicting a draw between these promotion hopefuls.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – LOW 

Nurnberg’s last five draws have all ended with two goals or fewer while the same applies to five of Holstein Kiel’s last six draws. A low-scoring draw seems a likely outcome here.

HEAD TO HEAD

Both teams played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Max Morlock Stadium earlier in the season. This was the first fixture between these two sides in the 2. Bundesliga.

1.FC Kaiserslautern - Dynamo Dresden

Do or die game for the Red Devils

TEAM NEWS

Kaiserslautern have three players on their injury list as Kacper Przybylko, Patrick Salata and Daniel Halfar are all absent. 

Dresden are still without the long-term injured Pascal Testroet and Soren Gonther while Jannik Muller faces a fresh injury and is unavailable for the match against Kaiserslautern too.

Kaiserslautern

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

Dresden

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Kaiserslautern are running out of time to save their 2. Bundesliga lives. Producing a spirited display at Vonovia Stadium last Friday, they took the lead early in the game but could not hold on until the end, losing 3-2 against in-form Bochum. Michael Frontzeck’s men, who occupy 18^thspot, have now picked up five wins, two draws and five defeats of their past 12 2. Bundesliga matches in 2018. The Red Devils look destined for the third tier.

Dresden suffered a crushing 4-0 loss against Holstein Kiel on home turf in their last match, in what was their worst defeat of the season – their second worst, a 3-0 loss, was also suffered by the same opponents in November. Dynamo have now won only one of their last six league matches, with two draws and three defeats. The team are sitting in 15^thposition in the table and have a poor goal difference of -9. They have won five, drawn three and lost seven on the road this season.  

This is a big match for the home team at Betzenberg and I believe Kaiserslautern are good enough to make home advantage count. I’m backing a narrow victory for the Red Devils this weekend.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – ODD 

Three of Kaiserslautern’s last four wins over Dresden have seen an odd amount of total goals. Have a punt on odd goals to be scored again here.

HEAD TO HEAD

Kaiserslautern have won six of their seven home meetings against Dresden, with the other match ending in a draw. The reverse fixture finished 2-1 in Kaiserslautern’s favour at DDV Arena last November.

Fortuna Düsseldorf - FC Ingolstadt 04

Leaders to bounce back on Sunday

TEAM NEWS

Gokhan Gul, Lukas Schmitz, Oliver Fink and Andre Hofmann will be missing the game for Dusseldorf once again due to injury.

Ingolstadt have a fully fit squad available against Fortuna Dusseldorf.

Dusseldorf

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Gokhan Gul (head), Andre Hoffmann (unspecified), Lukas Schmitz (toe), Oliver Fink (adductor)

Ingolstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: None

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Dusseldorf were beaten for the third time in a row in the league for the first time this season last Sunday as they succumbed to a 3-1 defeat on the road to lowly Heidenheim. Fortuna’s lead at the top has now been cut to just two points. More worryingly for the Dusseldorf outfit, third-placed Holstein Kiel have closed the gap to just four points, although both Nurnberg and Kiel face each other this week. However, following their abysmal results of late, Dusseldorf’s promotion challenge is now in real danger.

Ingolstadt are making a pig’s ear of their promotion push as they have picked up just two points from their last two 2. Bundesliga matches. Since the start of the year, they have won only three, drawn five and lost four in the 2. Bundesliga and they drew 1-1 at home with second-placed Nurnberg in their last league outing. Although Ingolstadt are not out of playoff contention just yet, Stefan Leitl’s men have slipped down to seventh. This may be one of their last chances, but they have to win this encounter against the leaders.

Despite Dusseldorf’s alarming dip in form, they should have enough quality and resolve to see off strong Ingolstadt on Sunday. I’m predicting a Fortuna win.

SECOND PREDICTION: TOTAL GOALS – FOUR 

Dusseldorf’s last three wins average four total goals. With both teams scoring regularly, I’m predicting the same number of total goals here.

HEAD TO HEAD

Dusseldorf beat Ingolstadt twice at Esprit Arena in 2011 but the last two meetings on their home ground finished goalless in 2014. 

Erzgebirge Aue - MSV Duisburg

Aue to take three points at Erzgebirgs Stadium

TEAM NEWS

Aue have no new injury worries. The only two players not at their disposal are Nicolai Rapp and Nicky Adler. 

Tim Albutat is still featuring on Duisburg’s list of absentees, but there have been no more injury concerns for coach Ilija Gruev.

Aue

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nicolai Rapp (foot), Nicky Adler (pulled muscle)

Duisburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Tim Albutat (knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Despite a harsh 2-0 loss away at Bielefeld last weekend, Aue’s results have improved of late, with Hannes Drew’s men winning four, drawing two and losing one of their past seven league matches. As a result, they have moved away from trouble and have climbed up to tenth place. Aue are still only six points clear of the automatic relegation places with four matches left to play. However, one or two wins should save them and they will view this game as their biggest opportunity to get the job done.

Duisburg look to have blown their chance of finishing in the top three after another defeat last weekend. The Zebras were second best in a 2-0 loss against Sandhausen on their own turf last Saturday, their fifth defeat in their last six 2. Bundesliga games. Ilja Gruev’s men are trailing third-placed Holstein Kiel by 11 points and are only five points above the teams in the bottom two. A positive result here is paramount if they do not want to get involved in a relegation battle so close to the end of the season.

This has the potential to be a tight game in Erzgebirge, but Aue will back themselves to make it four home wins on the spin on Sunday. I’m siding with an Aue win in this one.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – AUE 

Aue have opened the scoring in all their seven home league wins this season. With that in mind, back Aue to score first in this game on Sunday.

HEAD TO HEAD

Aue have not beaten Duisburg in six attempts, losing five and drawing one during that spell. The reverse fixture finished in a 3-0 home win for Duisburg back in November.

SV Sandhausen - SV Darmstadt 98

Draw seems likely between these two

TEAM NEWS

Sandhausen will be without Tim Kister and Ken Gibson, who are both out due to injury concerns.

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

Sandhausen

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Ken Gibson (calf), Tim Kister (broken foot)

Darmstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Sandhausen are undefeated in three having drawn with St. Pauli and Greuther Furth, and beaten Duisburg. Last weekend, goals from Philipp Forster and Stefan Kulovits were enough to seal an excellent 2-0 win over out-of-form Duisburg at Schauinslandreisen Arena. Sandhausen have lifted themselves four points away from the relegation zone with this important win and are now sitting in eighth place.

Darmstadt came from behind to secure a vital point over Braunschweig in a 1-1 draw last weekend. With teams around them losing in the last round, they are still in with a chance of climbing out of the drop zone, despite sitting second from bottom. However, three points against Sandhausen could be crucial to the Lilies’ survival aspirations as they are four points from safety, with four matches left to play.

Sandhausen have drawn three and lost one of their last four home league games while Darmstadt have drawn their last two on the road. Both teams will be on the lookout for a win on Saturday; I’m predicting a close game that finishes in a draw.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – LOW  

None of Sandhausen’s four home draws have seen more than two goals while Darmstadt’s last three draws on the road have also either finished 0-0 or 1-1. I expect a low-scoring draw here too.

HEAD TO HEAD

Sandhausen’s 2-1 win at Bollenfalltor earlier in the season was their first win over Darmstadt in 2. Bundesliga after losing twice in 2014.