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.