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.