Dynamo Dresden - Hamburger SV (postponed !!!)

Hamburg to pick up the points at Dresden

TEAM NEWS

Dresden's interim coach Cristian Fiel has to find replacements for the injured Tim Boss, Soren Gonther, Marco Hartmann, Jannik Muller and Florian Ballas. 

Christian Titz’s Hamburg are at full strength ahead of this clash at DDV Arena. Only the long-term injured Gideon Jung, Matti Steinmann, Jairo Samperio and Kyriakos Papadopoulos are absentees.

Dresden

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Tim Boss, Marco Hartmann (both pulled muscle); Soren Gonther (knee), Florian Ballas (shoulder), Jannik Muller (foot)

Hamburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Gideon Jung, Jairo Samperio (all knee); Matti Steinmann (thigh)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Dresden are sitting on just three points from three league matches and also lost in extra time to lower league team Rodinghausen in the cup last week. At the weekend, interim Christian Fiel’s troops were comfortably beaten 3-1 by Heidenheim at DDV Arena in the 2. Bundesliga, conceding the first two goals from set pieces. Finishing in an uninspiring 14^thplace last term, Dynamo were the weakest home side in the 2. Bundesliga, registering five wins, four draws and eight defeats last season.

Hamburg have responded well after a poor opener, winning their last two league matches. After losing at home to Holstein Kiel 3-0 in round one, Christian Titz’s HSV have hit back with back-to-back 3-0 2. Bundesliga victories over Sandhausen three weeks ago and Bielefeld on Monday. Although relegated Hamburg were very poor in Germany's top flight last term both home and away, they are considered one of the top candidates for promotion this season. It appears they have found their form already and should be a class above the other teams beside Cologne in the 2. Bundesliga.

Dynamo will be feeling sorry for themselves after last weekend’s capitulation against Heidenheim, and Hamburg will be hoping to take full advantage of that. My money is going on the away win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – HIGH 

Dresden's last two matches have produced 3.5 total goals on average while Hamburg have found themselves three times on the scoresheet in both of their last two league matches. Expect a high-scoring encounter.

HEAD TO HEAD

These teams will meet for the first time in the 2. Bundesliga this weekend. They last played each other competitively in the top flight in the 1990s, with Dresden winning one and drawing three of their four home meetings with Hamburg.

SC Paderborn - VfL Bochum

Exciting draw at Benteler-Arena on Friday

TEAM NEWS

Steffen Baumgart has a full-strength Paderborn team to choose from when his side host Bochum. The only unavailable player is Massih Wassey with a back injury.

Bochum's Jannik Bandowski and Thomas Eisfeld are working on their comebacks and are unavailable. Sidney Sam saw a red card against Duisburg in round two and is suspended for this league game.

Paderborn

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Massih Wassey (unspecified)

Bochum

Suspended: Sidney Sam

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Jannik Bandowski (knee), Thomas Eisfeld (unspecified)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

After suffering an unlucky 1-0 defeat in the opener to Darmstadt, Paderborn have found their form from last season, beating Jahn Regensburg 2-0 on home soil and battling to a draw with Greuther Furth last Saturday afternoon. They have now won one, drawn one and lost one of their first three league matches. Paderborn had been playing with only ten men for the entire second half and found themselves 2-0 down after 84 minutes, but goals from Phillipp Klement and Lukas Boeder earned them a 2-2 draw at Sportpark Ronhof. Paderborn, who were promoted from the 3. Bundesliga last term, have lost just one of their past 20 league and cup matches, along with six draws and 13 wins.

Robin Dutt’s Bochum have responded well after their 2-0 opening day defeat at home to Cologne. After winning 2-0 at Duisburg in the “West Derby” in their second game, they beat Sandhausen 1-0 at home on Friday to close the gap to the top and they are now back in business in the 2. Bundesliga for now. Ignoring the opening match and their early cup exit against a lower league team, Bochum have kept a clean sheet in both their other competitive matches this season.

  

Paderborn have been very competitive on their return to the 2. Bundesliga, and I fancy them to pick up a precious point in this one. My money is going on a score draw on Friday evening.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – LOW 

Paderborn's three league matches averaged just over total goals so far while only 1.67 total goals have been scored in Bochum's three. I predict a low-scoring encounter.

HEAD TO HEAD

When these two last met in league action in the 2015-16 season, Bochum did the double over Paderborn, keeping a clean sheet in both. Overall, Paderborn's home record is even against Bochum in the second division with two wins, two draws and two defeats.

FC Ingolstadt 04 - Erzgebirge Aue

Ingolstadt to claim first victory

TEAM NEWS

Ingolstadt are without midfield player Christian Trasch, who has suffered a knee injury and could be out until the end of the year, while Almog Cohen is still absent too but is working on his comeback.

Midfielder Steve Breitkreuz, 'keeper Robert Jendrusch and Florian Kruger are the only absentees for Daniel Meyer’s Aue.

Ingolstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Christian Trasch (knee), Almog Cohen (ligaments)

Aue

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Steve Breitkreuz (knee), Robert Jendrusch (meniscus), Florian Kruger (ribbon)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Stefan Leitl’s disastrous start to the campaign continued on Saturday as his team managed only a 1-1 draw against 2. Bundesliga new boys Magdeburg. The Schanzer began their league campaign with a 2-1 defeat in their Bavarian derby against Jahn Regensburg away from home, followed by a 1-1 draw at home in another derby against Greuther Furth. Having picked up just five 2. Bundesliga victories on home soil last season, along with four draws and eight losses, Ingolstadt must get their act together fast, starting with three points at Audi-Sportpark at Friday.

Daniel Meyer has endured a tough start as Aue boss so far, with the Viola yet to win a league game under the 38-year-old. Aue were beaten again at the weekend, this time at relegated Cologne by a 3-1 scoreline. So far, Aue have mustered just one point from a possible nine thanks to a scoreless draw with Magdeburg. Daniel Meyer will have to find a way to bring more danger into their attack to be more successful in front of the goal.

This should be an entertaining matchup at Audi Sportpark, which could go either way. However, being at home, Ingolstadt will fancy their chances of securing the points. I’m predicting a home win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – HIGH

Three of the last four league meetings between the pair at Audi Sportpark have seen exactly three total goals. With both teams needing points, I expect a high number of total goals again in this important early encounter.

HEAD TO HEAD

There have only been six meetings between these teams at Audi Sportpark in the 2. Bundesliga since 2010, with Ingolstadt winning none, drawing three and losing three.

Hamburger SV - Arminia Bielefeld

Narrow victory for HSV

TEAM NEWS

Christian Titz’s Hamburg are at full strength ahead of this clash at Volkspark Stadium. Only the long-term injured Gideon Jung, Arianit Ferati, Matti Steinmann, Aron Hunt and Kyriakos Papadopoulos are absentees.

Bielefeld could be without midfielder Nils Quaschner, who is still recovering from a knee injury, and Cedric Brunner who succumbed to injury recently.

Hamburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Gideon Jung (both knee); Arianit Ferati (ligaments), Matti Steinmann (thigh), Aron Hunt (calf)

Bielefeld

Suspended: 

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nils Quaschner (knee), Cedric Brunner (meniscus)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Hamburg started the season with a 3-0 loss at home against Holstein Kiel but managed to claim their own 3-0 win in Sandhausen two weeks ago. The cup match against Regional West Team Erndtebruck was tougher than expected, particulatlyin the second half, with the team experiencing a lot of problems when it came to controlling the game, but they clinched a 5-3 win.Having registered two competitive wins in a row, they will have the momentum on their side as they go into this match and their morale will be high.

Bielefeld have taken almost maximum points from their first two fixtures in the 2. Bundesliga. Arminia came from behind to earn an excellent 1-1 draw at Heidenheim and followed that up with a 2-1 home win over Dresden, with Joan Simun Edmundsson and Fabian Klos scoring the goals. At the weekend Bielefeld eased to a 5-0 cup win away to lower league side Stendal, which will have boosted their confidence ahead of this match.

Bielefeld have started their season like they finished the last one and have now lost just once in their last nine league fixtures, dating to last term, with five draws and three wins. However, a trip to Volkspark Stadium is never an easy one and they need to be at their very best against one of the biggest promotion candidates in the 2. Bundesliga. Therefore, I fancy Hamburg to earn the three points on home soil.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – EVEN 

Six of the last eight league encounters between these two teams have seen even total goals.  Have a punt on even total goals to be scored again in this one.

HEAD TO HEAD

Hamburg and Bielefeld's last meeting took place in Germany's first division nine years ago, with Hamburg winning 2-0 at home and 4-2 on the road.

Dynamo Dresden - FC Heidenheim

Draw seems likely between these two

TEAM NEWS

Dresden coach Uwe Neuhaus was fired on Wednesday afternoon because of the cup knock out at the weekend. A interim Coach is not found yet, maybe in the upcoming days, but he has to find a replacement for the injured Tim Boss, Soren Gonther, Jannik Muller and Florian Ballas. 

Frank Schmidt’s Heidenheim will have to do without defenders Timo Beermann and Mathias Wittek.

Dresden

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Tim Boss (pulled muscle), Soren Gonther (knee), Florian Ballas (shoulder), Jannik Muller (foot)

Heidenheim

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Timo Beermann (calf), Mathias Wittek (knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Dresden have got off to an average start this season, having claimed a 1-0 win in their opener against Duisburg at home, followed by a deserved 2-0 defeat against Bielefeld. However, they then succumbed to another setback as they were knocked out of the cup by fourth-tier side Rodinghausen, losing 3-2 in extra time. They took the lead twice but could not hold on to their advantage and conceded a very late goal in extra time after a corner. They will be hoping to get back on track, but if last season's home form is anything to go by – they were the weakest home team with 19 points – a win here won't come easily.

Heidenheim have kicked off their season with two 1-1 draws from two 2. Bundesliga games. In both against Bielefeld at home and Holstein Kiel away, Heidenheim let a lead slip to drop two points. Last weekend, Frank Schmidt’s men eased to an easy 5-2 win over fourth tier club Jeddeloh to move to the next stage in cup. Heidenheim, who finished last season just two points above the bottom three, have won just two 2.Bundesliga matches since the middle of February, drawing six and losing five times since then.

Dresden may look stronger on paper, but with this one taking place at DDV Arena, either team could come out on top. With that in mind, I’m backing the game to end all square this weekend.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – ODD 

All three of Dresden's home wins against Heidenheim have all been by a one-goal margin. I like the look of odd total goals to be scored at DDV Arena on Sunday.

HEAD TO HEAD

Dreden are unbeaten at home against Heidenheim, winning three and drawing one of their four league encounters.

Union Berlin - St. Pauli

Union Berlin to pick up second win

TEAM NEWS

Union Berlin could once again be without the long-term injured Fabian Schonheim and Sebastian Polter.

Both Jan-Philipp Kalla and Marc Hornschuh, who has already missed the two first games of the season, remain injury concerns for Markus Kauczinski’s St. Pauli. Christopher Buchtmann has problems with his hand and is a doubt for the encounter in Berlin.

Union Berlin

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Fabian Schonheim (knee), Sebastian Polter (Achilles)

St. Pauli

Suspended: None

Doubtful: Christopher Buchtmann (hand)

Injured/unavailable: Jan-Philipp Kalla (pubis), Marc Hornschuh (slipped disc)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Union Berlin, who finished eighth in the 2. Bundesliga last term, trailing the playoff places by nine points, kicked off their season with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Aue at Alte Forsterei, with Felix Kroos scoring the only goal of the game with an excellent free kick in injury time. The team then posted a surprise result in the second round against promotion candidates Cologne, holding them to an excellent 1-1 draw two weeks ago – although Cologne was dominating the whole game. Union Berlin continued their unbeaten run in the cup against 3. Bundesliga side Jena last weekend, with a 4-2 win.

St. Pauli have enjoyed a perfect start to the league with two wins and are sitting at the top of the 2. Bundesliga, but their cup match last weekend was a different matter as the team lost 3-2 in extra time against third division club Wehen last Friday. The defeat was not expected considering they have such a good squad at their disposal and St. Pauli had hoped to get further in the competition. However, their full focus will be on the league now and they will aim for a place at the top of the standings right from the beginning.

This could be a close encounter at Alte Forsterei, but I can see the hosts just nicking it. My money is going on a tight Union Berlin victory this Sunday.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – ODD

This could be a close matchup at Alte Forsterei, and one goal could be enough to win it. Five of Union Berlin’s last seven league wins have come by one goal, so back odd goals to be scored in Berlin at the weekend.

HEAD TO HEAD

There have been only nine 2. Bundesliga meetings between these teams in Berlin, with the hosts winning seven, drawing one and losing only once.

Jahn Regensburg - Holstein Kiel

Holstein Kiel to claim narrow victory

TEAM NEWS

Jahn Regensburg's Oliver Hein and Sebastian Nachreiner are both out with a knee injury. However, Achim Beierlorzer can still choose from a good squad for this encounter.

The injured Arne Sicker and Philipp Sander will not be available for the encounter at Continental Arena while Johannes van den Bergh is sidelined with suspension.

Jahn Regensburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Oliver Hein, Sebastian Nachreiner (both knee)

Holstein Kiel

Suspended: Johannes van den Bergh

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Arne Sicker, Philipp Sander (both unspecified)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

After a hard-fought 2-1 win over Ingolstadt in their opening league game, Jahn Regensburg were brought back down to earth with a bang two weeks ago. Achim Beierlorzer’s team were outplayed by newly-promoted Paderborn and lost deservedly 2-0 at Benteler-Arena. The side certainly have the ability to bounce back, but are coming off yet another disappointing result as they were knocked out by fifth tier side BSG Chemie Leipzig in the cup last weekend, losing 2-1. Their full focus will be on the league now where they have won seven and lost two of the last nine league matches at Continental Arena, last season included.

Despite plenty of key players leaving this summer, Tim Walter’s Holstein Kiel have made a fine start to their 2. Bundesliga campaign. Their excellent 3-0 win at giants Hamburg in round one was a big surprise and followed up by a 1-1 home draw against Heidenheim. They continued their good run with a 3-1 cup triumph away at 3. Bundesliga side 1860 Munich to advance to the next stage of the competition. The Storks were the third best team in 2. Bundesliga last season and have the potential to reach a similar place again.

Regensburg have certainly not set the world alight so far this term, and should be the underdogs against Holstein Kiel despite enjoying the home advantage. I expect Holstein Kiel to continue the seven-match unbeaten run (five wins, two draws) against Jahn Regensburg and my money is going on a Kiel win.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – HOLSTEIN KIEL

Holstein Kiel have scored the first goal against Jahn Regensburg in their last six encounters in league action. I believe they will be the first team on the scoresheet once again.

HEAD TO HEAD

These two have only met twice in the second division, with Holstein Kiel beating Jahn Regensburg 2-1 away from home and holding them to a 1-1 draw on home soil last season.

1.FC Köln - Erzgebirge Aue

Cologne to make most of home advantage

TEAM NEWS

Cologne will be without the injured Marco Hoger, but he should again be available in the upcoming weeks.

Midfielder Steve Breitkreuz, 'keeper Robert Jendrusch and Florian Kruger are the only absentees for Daniel Meyer’s Aue.

Cologne

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Marco Hoger (shoulder)

Aue

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Steve Breitkreuz (knee), Robert Jendrusch (meniscus), Florian Kruger (ribbon)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Having played two 2. Bundesliga games and picked up four points form a possible six, Cologne are currently part of a five-team strong chasing pack behind early leaders St. Pauli. After winning comfortably 2-0 away from home against Bochum in the opening round, they experienced a small setback with the 1-1 home draw against Union Berlin last time out. The club also ran over fourth-tier side BFC Dynamo in the cup at the weekend, winning 9-1. Markus Anfang’s men, who have been tipped as one of the favourites this season, already look capable of winning promotion. 

Daniel Meyer has found life tough at Aue so far as his side have mustered up just one point from two games. They fell to a disappointing 1-0 defeat at Union Berlin in the opener, conceding the winner right at the death. Aue then had to settle with a point in a 0-0 draw against newly-promoted Magdeburg on home soil two weeks ago. They were also kicked out of the cup by 1. Bundesliga team Mainz at the weekend despite playing with a numerical advantage for over 85 minutes. Aue are hoping to improve on their 16^thplace finish from last season, but the fact that they were the third worst team on the road last season won't inspire confidence.

Aue have been struggling to get going under new coach Meyer, and I fancy them to find it tough in this one, too. Back Cologne to claim all three points on home ground.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – COLOGNE 

Cologne should get off the mark early in this game as they have done in their last three meetings with Aue on home soil. I expect the same again as Cologne has the much better attack and should overcome Aue’s defensive line easily.

HEAD TO HEAD

Cologne are undefeated in their last three meetings with Aue at Rhein Energie Stadium, registering three straight wins. The most recent encounter in March 2014 ended in a 2-2 draw at Aue.

Greuther Fürth - SC Paderborn

Even encounter at Sportpark Ronhof

TEAM NEWS

Greuther Furth have no fresh injuries or suspensions to worry about but have Marco Caligiuri doubtful for this encounter at Sportpark Ronhof.

Steffen Baumgart has a full-strength Paderborn team to choose from when his side travel to Furth. The only unavailable player is Massih Wassey with a back injury.

Greuther Furth

Suspended: None

Doubtful: Marco Caligiuri (pulled muscle)

Injured/unavailable: None

Paderborn

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Massih Wassey (unspecified)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Greuther Furth have got off to a good 2. Bundesliga start with one win and one draw, but the team were knocked out of the German cup after losing in extra time against 1. Bundesliga side Dortmund.The team have the potential to do better than last season when they escaped the drop zone by a better goal difference, but there are certain areas they will need to improve. They should keep an eye on controlling the game more and be more clinical in front of goal. However, they have scored four in their first two league matches, which is the joint-second highest in the league.

After a very unlucky 1-0 away defeat to Darmstadt in their opening 2. Bundesliga match of the season, Paderborn earned a 2-0 home win against Jahn Regensburg two weeks ago. Klaus Gjasula opened the scoring for SCP in the 31^stminute, netting his first goal of the season, before Phililipp Klement secured the three points with his 2-0. Steffen Baumgart was very happy with the result as his men appear to have picked up where they left off when they gained promotion from 3. Bundesliga last season. They also beat Ingolstadt easily in the cup last Monday via a 2-1 win and continued with their good style of play.

Both teams will be desperate to claim all three points in this clash and I can see the pair cancelling each other out at Sportpark Ronhof. I’m predicting a draw between these two sides.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – HIGH 

This encounter should produce many goals. Going back to last season, only one of Greuther Furth's last seven home games has produced fewer than three total goals. I believe we will see a high-scoring game again, with both teams on the scoresheet.

HEAD TO HEAD

Greuther Furth have won their last four league meetings against Paderborn on home soil and have not lost the last eight at home, winning five and drawing three.

FC Magdeburg - FC Ingolstadt 04

More misery for sorry Ingolstadt this weekend

TEAM NEWS

Jens Hartel’s Magdeburg will yet again be without Manfred Kwadwo and Joel Hanna, who are still recovering from injuries while Charles Elie Laprevotte got injured a few days ago and is sidelined for this encounter against Ingolstadt.

Ingolstadt are without midfield player Christian Trasch, who has suffered a knee injury and could be out until the end of the year, while Almog Cohen is still absent too but is working on his comeback.

Magdeburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Manfred Kwadwo, Joel Hanna (both pulled muscle), Charles Elie Laprevotte (thigh)

Ingolstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Christian Trasch (knee), Almog Cohen (ligaments)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Newly-promoted Magdeburg have had an average start to the season, having claimed just one point in a 0-0 draw against Aue in their first two games. However, they have been producing good performances – and this will give them hope for better results in the upcoming weeks. They will need to address their apparent lack of goalscoring chances quickly though. The team have scored just once so far in their last three competitive matches as they drew another blank in their 1-0 loss at home against Darmstadt in the cup last last Friday. As a result, they have been knocked out of the competition. 

Ingolstadt are coming into this encounter with huge pressure on their shoulders, having failed to win in their first two league matches. They were able to score only a single goal in those matches. Travelling to unknown opponents who they have never played before won't be ideal to get back on track, but claiming the three points will be important here if they do not want to lose too much ground to the leaders. In the cup, Ingolstadt were beaten easily 2-1 by Paderborn last Monday.

Ingolstadt’s form has been very poor of late and Magdeburg’s fighting spirit in front of their crowd should be too much for them. I back the newcomers to claim their first win of the season. 

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST HALF HAD – DRAW

Magdeburg and Ingolstadt have both registered just one first-half goal so far and I expect a low-scoring first 45 minutes here too. Overall, both teams had problems to get their attack starting, with Magdeburg scoring one and Ingolstadt netting two. I expect a draw at half time.

HEAD TO HEAD

These teams will meet for the first time this weekend. 

SV Darmstadt 98 - MSV Duisburg

Back-to-back home wins for Darmstadt

TEAM NEWS

Darmstadt’s Felix Platte is out after suffering a ligament tear.

Duisburg have no fresh injury or suspension worries, meaning coach Iliya Gruev can choose from a very good squad against Bochum.

Darmstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Felix Platte (torn ligaments)

Duisburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: None

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

After kicking the league campaign off with a 1-0 win over newly-promoted Paderborn, Darmstadt’s euphoria ground to a halt as they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat away at St. Pauli in their last league match a fortnight ago. The team appeared helpless and failed to find a way back into the match after conceding the opening goal early in the second half, losing deservedly. However, they advanced in the cup after beating fellow second-tier club Magdeburg 1-0. Despite that defeat in their last away league game, I do think they have the potential to reach the top 10 this season. 

After starting the new campaign horribly with two consecutive defeats and no single goal scored, Duisburg improved slightly in the cup last weekend, beating Oberliga outfit Dassendorf 1-0 away and advancing to the next round of the competition. However, they should have deserved a better result than their 2-0 loss at home against Bochum in their last league fixture two weeks ago because they had more shots on target and more ball possession in that game. Nevertheless, the fact that they have found the back of the net just once in those three competitive games will be a worry.

This will unquestionably be a tough game for both sides, but Darmstadt are better at the moment and they have the home advantage. I predict a home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – LOW 

Both teams have found it difficult to find the net in their first two league matches this season, with Darmstadt only scoring a single goal while Duisburg are still scoreless. I predict a low-scoring encounter.

HEAD TO HEAD

Duisburg may have won the last league meeting between these teams, claiming a 2-1 away victory in February, but Darmstadt were on a six-match winning streak beforehand, with that run stretching all the way back to 1979.

VfL Bochum - SV Sandhausen

Bochum to pile more misery on Sandhausen

TEAM NEWS

Bochum's Jannik Bandowski and Thomas Eisfeld are working on their comebacks and are unavailable. Sidney Sam saw a red card against Duisburg in round two and is suspended for the next two league games.

Sandhausen’s Tim Knipping, Nejmeddin Daghfous, Karim Guede, Rurik Gislason and Andrew Wooten are all out with different injuries. 

Bochum

Suspended: Sidney Sam

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Jannik Bandowski (knee), Thomas Eisfeld (unspecified)

Sandhausen

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None 

Injured/unavailable: Tim Knipping (broken foot), Andrew Wooten (pulled muscle), Nejmeddin Daghfous (calf), Karim Guede (knee), Rurik Gislason (unspecified)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Having kicked off their season with a 2-0 home loss to promotion candidates Cologne, Robin Dutt’s Bochum followed up that disappointing result with their own 2-0 win on the road against Duisburg in their last league outing two weeks ago. However, their momentum didn't last for long as they fell to an unexpected 1-0 defeat against fourth-tier outfit Weiche Flensburg last weekend, exiting the cup. Bochum certainly had good moments in that game, but never found a way to beat Flensburg's defensive line. Nevertheless, since Dutt's arrival on the sidelines, the team have won seven, drawn four and lost only three of the 14 league matches with him in charge. 

Sandhausen considerably changed their squad during the transfer window, but not in a positive way as they are significantly weaker this time around. SVS could struggle to build on last season’s 11^thplace finish and their first two results this season have been testament to this as Kenan Kocak’s men started with two defeats from two league games. In both losses against Greuther Furth (3-1) and Hamburg (3-0), Sandhausen's defensive work was awful while they seriously need to work on their attack too. However, their 6-0 thrashing of Regional West team Oberhausen in the cup last weekend will have restored their confidence to some extent. 

Sandhausen will be desperate to put some points on the board sooner rather than later, but I can see Bochum piling more misery on Kocak’s team on Friday. My money is going on a Bochum win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – HIGH 

The last three league meetings between these teams at Vonovia Stadium have seen 3.67 total goals on average and with both teams in need of points, I predict a very open game with a lot of scoring opportunities. With that in mind I predict a high-scoring encounter. 

HEAD TO HEAD

Bochum have met Sandhausen six times at Vonovia Ruhrstadium in Germany's second division, winning three, drawing two and losing only one of those encounters. Moreover, they have scored at least two goals in the last three on home soil.

1.FC Köln - Union Berlin

Favourites Cologne to take all three points

TEAM NEWS

Cologne will be without the injured Marco Hoger while Jorge Mere was sent off against Bochum after two yellow cards and is suspended for this match. 

Union Berlin could once again be without the long-term injured Fabian Schonheim and Sebastian Polter.

Cologne

Suspended: Jorge Mere

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Marco Hoger (shoulder)

Union Berlin

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Fabian Schonheim (knee), Sebastian Polter (Achilles)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Promotion candidates Cologne started with a victory into the new season as they beat Bochum 2-0 away last Saturday. Maxim Leitsch scored an own goal to give Cologne the lead before the break while newly-signed defender Rafael Czichos scored a second goal from close range in the 59^thminute to secure the victory in a closely contested match. Although they were not particularly impressive and managed only five shots on target over the course of the game, Markus Anfang's side will be pleased about getting the new season off to the perfect start and will now look to repeat that feat in their first home encounter of the campaign against Union Berlin.

Union Berlin produced a dominant performance in their opener at home against Aue last time out, in which they had an incredible 17 attempts on goal. Urs Fischer’s side applied incessant pressure on their opponents from the moment the game kicked off, but they found the net only once. Felix Kroos' goal in 87^thminute was enough for a narrow 1-0 home win. Nevertheless, Union Berlin were very happy with the outcome and the three points. With that win in the bag, they can travel to promotion favourites Cologne without a lot less pressure.

Both teams have started the new campaign with a win, but the two squads are very different in terms of quality. Furthermore, Union Berlin didn't impress on the road last term, with only two wins, three draws and six losses in their last 11 matches. Giants Cologne should be able to get the job done in front of their crowd. 

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – COLOGNE 

Historically, Cologne have scored first in all of their three home league encounters against Union Berlin, netting an incredible 13 goals whilst keeping a clean sheet in each game. Expect the hosts to break the deadlock again here.

HEAD TO HEAD

There have been only six league meetings between these teams, with Cologne winning five and losing only once.

SV Sandhausen - Hamburger SV

Big three points for HSV in Sandhausen

TEAM NEWS

Sandhausen’s Tim Knipping, Nejmeddin Daghfous, Korbinian Vollmann, Karim Guede and Andrew Wooten are all out with different injuries. 

Christian Titz’s Hamburg are at full strength ahead of this clash at Hardtwald Stadium. Only the long-term injured Gideon Jung, Arianit Ferati and Kyriakos Papadopoulos are absentees while Aron Hunt faces a calf injury and is unavailable too.

Sandhausen

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Tim Knipping (broken foot), Andrew Wooten (pulled muscle), Nejmeddin Daghfous (calf), Korbinian Vollmann (muscle), Karim Guede (knee)

Hamburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Gideon Jung (both knee); Arianit Ferati (ligaments), Aron Hunt (calf)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Sandhausen continued their disappointing start to the season last Saturday as they lost 3-1 away to Greuther Furth. Philipp Klingmann scored the only goal for the team in a match with few chances for either side. Although Sandhausen took the first lead early in the second half they lacked the clinical edge they had demonstrated in some of their games last season – however, overall they are known for scoring not too many goals, notching just over one on average last season. It is not often they concede more than two goals though – only once last season – and with their scoring weakness in mind it is important they work on their defensive strategy to avoid a repeat of last weekend's performance whilst trying to improve their attack. 

Hamburg started life in Germany's second division with a 3-0 home loss to Holstein Kiel last Friday. Neither team managed to take the lead in the first half but Holstein opened the scoring ten minutes after the interval with an excellent shot outside the box from Jonas Meffert. Hamburg failed to threaten offensively and two more goals followed. The loss points to a crisis at the historic Bundesliga club, who had almost no shots on goal. Coach Christian Titz and his men are in desperate need of results as they are targeting a return to the top flight at the first time of asking, but they had the joint second worst points tally on the road in the 1. Bundesliga last season and that doesn't inspire confidence.

However,  although they were clearly not at their best last weekend, Hamburg have a newly-built team and it might simply be a case of the side needing a little time to gel and to get used to the second division. The visitors do have the better squad in this fixture and I think they will find their goalscoring touch and register an away win.

SECOND PREDICTION: CORRECT SCORE – 1-2

Three of Hamburg’s five pre-season wins have come by a one-goal margin with two of them ending 2-1 in their favour. Sandhausen conceded two or more goals in all of their last six league defeats, scoring five goals in those games. I like the look of a 2-1 win for the visitors here.

HEAD TO HEAD

These teams will meet for the first time this weekend.