FC Ingolstadt 04 - FC St. Pauli

Ingolstadt to seal precious three points on Friday

TEAM NEWS

Ingolstadt are without midfielders Christian Trasch and Joey Breitfeld, who could both be out until the end of the year with knee injuries. Almog Cohen is still absent too but is working on his comeback.

St. Pauli's Sami Allagui, Marc Hornschuh and Luca-Milan Zander are all injured and will not make the trip to Ingolstadt on Friday while Christopher Avevor is still doubtful but could be ready for a comeback at the weekend.

Ingolstadt

Suspended: Lucas Galvao

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Christian Trasch, Joey Breitfeld (both knee); Almog Cohen (ligaments)

St. Pauli

Suspended: None

Doubtful: Christopher Avevor (shin)

Injured/unavailable: Sami Allagui (broken rib), Marc Hornschuh (spinal disc), Luca Zander (ankle)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Ingolstadt have had a mixed bag of results thus far, winning just one of their five league matches, whilst drawing two and losing two. They were completely outplayed by Bochum in their most recent road trip last Sunday, losing 6-0, and were dealt a shock when Lucas Galvao was sent off after a second yellow card in the 57^thminute; he will be absent here. Ingolstadt’s one and only league win so far came against fellow strugglers Aue at home before the international break.

After kicking the campaign off with six points from two league games, St. Pauli have suffered three consecutive league defeats, conceding a worrying 12 goals in the process. Their poor form was highlighted in their most recent 3-1 loss away at Aue, who had not won in league action until then. Sitting in 11^thin the table, Markus Kauczinski’s men have a disappointing goal difference of -4 – the worst in the top 12.

Both teams head into this league clash in desperate form, but a win could kick-start either of the teams' season. This could be close, but home advantage might just give Ingolstadt the edge. My money is going on a narrow home win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – HIGH

Both teams are in poor form and this may result in goals, especially as they are boasting the league's two worst defences, with St. Pauli having conceded 13 goals and Ingolstadt 12. Furthermore, both sides have conceded eight goals in the last two league matches. I can see this continuing here given that both defensive lines are not at their best, and will predict a high-scoring league encounter with three or more total goals.

HEAD TO HEAD

Both teams won their away league fixture last season, with St. Pauli posting a 1-0 win and Ingolstadt claiming a 4-0 victory.