MSV Duisburg - SV Sandhausen

Goals will flow in this one

TEAM NEWS

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

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

Duisburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Lukas Daschner (illness)

Sandhausen

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Duisburg have won just three games in the league in 2018. However, their 0-0 draw away at Union Berlin last time out did at least stop their four-match losing streak. Occupying tenth spot, the Zebras are eight points adrift of the promotion playoff spot and they have their work cut out, with five more matches left to play. Furthermore, having secured 38 points, they are mathematically not yet save from relegation.

Sandhausen are one place above their opponents, but are level on points. They held Greuther Furth to a scoreless draw at the Hardtwald Stadium last Friday and although they would have deserved all three points, coach Kenan Kocak was pleased with his men’s performance. However, Sandhausen remain winless in six and they have won just one of their last seven matches on the road.

There is not much between these teams, with both in uninspiring form of late. However, Duisburg will be looking to respond following their embarrassing 4-1 defeat to lowly Kaiserslautern in their last home outing and I fancy Ilja Gruev’s men to bounce back with a win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: TOTAL GOALS – THREE 

Both teams have been struggling. Furthermore, Duisburg have conceded at least one goal in nine of their last ten outings and Sandhausen in five of their last six matches. Given their poor defences, this may result in goals here. When these two met here in the league over the past two seasons, the games ended 3-0 and 2-1. I’ll back three total goals again here.

HEAD TO HEAD

Duisburg and Sandhausen have only met on two occasions at Schauinslandreisen Arena, with the hosts winning both of those matches. Duisburg also won the reverse fixture 1-0 at the Hardtwald Stadium back in November. They are in fact unbeaten in their five encounters with Sandhausen.