VfL Bochum - Jahn Regensburg

Bochum to take the three points at Vonovia Stadium

TEAM NEWS

Bochum’s long-term injury absentees Jannik Bandowski, Milos Pantovic and Thomas Eisfeld are all expected to miss out again.

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

Bochum

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Jannik Bandowski, Milos Pantovic, Thomas Eisfeld (all knee)

Jahn Regensburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Bochum produced a decent campaign in Germany’s second tier last season, going on to finish just eight points off the playoff places in sixth spot and it looks like they could be in for a similar term as they are trailing St. Pauli in third by four points whilst occupying seventh spot. Nevertheless, they will have been disappointed with their results at the Vonovia Stadium so far, having lost two of their five home league matches already, along with three wins. Overall, they have secured only four points from the last 12 on offer after drawing 0-0 away at Hamburg last time out.

Jahn Regesnburg are on a great run in the league at present. Since falling to a 2-0 defeat to Dresden at Continental Arena, the side have beaten Hamburg, Heidenheim and Duisburg on the bounce whilst their last two league outings have both ended level, with a 1-1 draw at home to Darmstadt their latest result. Jahn Regensburg's outstanding form sees them in ninth on 15 points from a possible 30. 

The teams are level on points and are neighbours in the table, with only two places separating them. This league match has the potential to go either way at Vonovia Stadium, but I can see home advantage being a key factor, especially given the fact that Bochum are one of the stronger sides at home. Back the home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – LOW

Bochum have just scored eight home goals in the league while both of Jahn Regensburg's last  two league matches have produced two total goals. I don’t expect a high-scoring league encounter here either.

HEAD TO HEAD

Bochum took four points from their two league fixtures with Jahn Regensburg last term, winning 1-0 at Continental Arena and drawing 1-1 on home soil. 

FC St. Pauli - Holstein Kiel

St. Pauli to claim their fourth home win

TEAM NEWS

St. Pauli's Marc Hornschuh, Jan-Philipp Kalla, Waldemar Sobota, Park Yi Young and Luca-Milan Zander are all injured and will not be available against Holstein Kiel.

Holstein Kiel's Arne Sicker, Mathias Honsak and Philipp Sander are sidelined while Aaron Seydel is a doubt with a heel injury.

St. Pauli

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Marc Hornschuh (spinal disc), Luca-Milan Zander (ankle), Jan Philipp Kalla (pubis), Waldemar Sobota (pulled muscle), Park Yi Young (not fit)

Holstein Kiel

Suspended: None

Doubtful: Aaron Seydel (heel)

Injured/unavailable: Arne Sicker, Philipp Sander (both unspecified); Mathias Honsak (broken arm)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Since losing three in a row in August/September, St. Pauli have accumulated an impressive 13 points from their last five league games. After back-to-back wins over Ingolstadt (1-0) and Paderborn (2-1), the side secured a hard-earned 0-0 draw with Hamburg and followed that up with another two victories against Sandhausen (3-1) and Duisburg (1-0) last time out. That great streak has allowed them to jump into third place. They are level on points with Greuther Furth in second and are trailing leaders Cologne by only one point.

Holstein Kiel scored late last weekend to secure a solid 1-1 draw at home against leaders Cologne. The team have picked up just one win from their last six league matches, drawing two and losing three. The Storks have particularly been in patchy form on their travels this term, winning one, drawing one and losing the last three on the bounce. Tim Walter’s men currently occupy 11^thspot on 13 points.

St. Pauli will be hoping to continue their excellent run on home soil against weak travellers Holstein Kiel. I can see the home side nicking the three points here.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – ST. PAULI

St. Pauli have scored the opening goal in four of their six league wins this season. The home team should strike first in this league game, too.

HEAD TO HEAD

St. Pauli have won their last two home league meetings with Holstein Kiel, with their latest a 3-2 victory in February.

FC Ingolstadt - MSV Duisburg

Bottom two to cancel each other out

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.

Duisburg’s Moritz Stoppelkamp has a thigh issue which will keep him out of this weekend's league clash. Meanwhile, Christian Gartner is expected to be out for the remainder of the year. Joseph-Claude Gyau and Sebastian Neumann face fresh injuries and are not available against Ingolstadt.

Ingolstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Christian Trasch, Joey Breitfeld (both knee)

Duisburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Christian Gartner (knee), Moritz Stoppelkamp (thigh), Joseph-Claude Gyau (foot), Sebastian Neumann (hip)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

The pressure is starting to mount on Alexander Nouri as his Ingolstadt side were beaten again at the weekend. Their 4-0 loss away from home to Sandhausen was Ingolstadt’s sixth league defeat in a row and it is no surprise they are finding themselves rooted to the bottom of the table on only five points after ten rounds. Since the start of the new campaign, the Schanzer have only managed to beat Aue and have clinched just two draws whilst suffering seven losses overall. 

Duisburg have been finding life tough in the second tier so far, with all of their home games in the league ending in defeats. The Zebras were unlucky in their most recent home league match last week though as they conceded a late goal six minutes from time to lose 1-0 at home against St. Pauli. On the road, they have picked up more positive results in the form of one win, two draws and another two losses, but overall they have netted just nine goals so far – the same as Ingolstadt –, which is the joint lowest in the division.

Both teams will be desperate to pick up a win. However, there is not much between them and I can see this one ending all square.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – LOW

Ingolstadt and Duisburg have both netted only nine goals, with no other team netting fewer. I therefore don’t expect a high-scoring encounter this weekend.

HEAD TO HEAD

Four of the last five league meetings at Audi Sportpark have finished all square, with Duisburg winning the other one.  

Union Berlin - Dynamo Dresden

Surprise result expected at Alte Forsterei

TEAM NEWS

Union Berlin will once again be without the long-term injured Marc Torrejon and Michael Parensen.

Dresden's coach Maik Walpurgis has to find replacements for the injured Jannik Muller and Florian Ballas while Niklas Kreuzer is out with a stomach muscle and the time of his return is unknown. 

Union Berlin

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Marc Torrejon (calf), Michael Parensen (knee)

Dresden

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Florian Ballas (shoulder), Jannik Muller (foot), Niklas Kreuzer (stomach muscle)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Union Berlin maintained their unbeaten start to the league season with a 0-0 draw at newly-promoted Paderborn last time out. Urs Fischer’s men have without a doubt been the most consistent team in the league so far, winning four and drawing six to occupy third spot in Germany’s second tier. Only Greuther Furth and Cologne sit above them with a one- and two-point lead respectively. This means that a win here could potentially catapult Union to the top of the standings if other results go their way too.  

Dresden have made a steady start to their season, winning four, drawing two and losing four. The side have also drawn two of their last five matches in the league, along with two wins and one loss. They are coming off a 1-1 draw against Aue at DDV Arena, but will have been disappointed with that result, having played most of the second half with a numerical advantage. Nevertheless, Maik Walpurgis has made Dresden hard to beat in recent weeks, with the side sitting nicely in ninth spot at the moment.

On paper, this should be an easy win for the hosts but in this East German derby everything is possible. I expect a big fight between the teams which could go either way – and I think the visitors will nick an unexpected away win. 

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST HALF HAD – DRAW

Union Berlin have been level at half time in five of their ten league matches while Dresden have been drawing after 45 minutes in four of theirs. Another first-half draw could be on the cards here.

HEAD TO HEAD

Last season, both league fixtures were won 1-0 by the respective away team. However, Union Berlin have the edge at Alte Forsterei with two wins, three draws and one defeat.

SC Paderborn - SV Sandhausen

Paderborn to continue unbeaten home run

TEAM NEWS

Steffen Baumgart has a fully fit Paderborn team to choose from. His only unavailable players are Massih Wassey with a back injury and Sven Michel with an Achilles issue.

Sandhausen’s Tim Knipping, Nejmeddin Daghfous and Ken Gipson are all out with different injuries. 

Paderborn

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Massih Wassey (back), Sven Michel (Achilles)

Sandhausen

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Tim Knipping (broken foot), Nejmeddin Daghfous (calf), Ken Gipson (shoulder)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Paderborn have made a good fist of things since returning to the second tier, and they have been particularly strong on home soil so far where they are still unbeaten with two wins and three draws. Sitting in sixth place with 16 points, trailing leaders Cologne by four, Paderborn could do with another home win this weekend. They are coming off a scoreless draw at home against Union Berlin, but this was only the second time this term they have drawn a blank. 

Sandhausen picked up a much-needed three points against fellow strugglers Ingolstadt in round ten, with goals from Fabian Schleusener (two), Andrew Wooten and Denis Linsmayer proving to be enough to claim a 4-0 victory. That was only the team's second league win of the campaign, but they have now climbed into 16^thand are only one point from safety. Having won two and lost two of their last four league matches will without a doubt have given Sandhausen a boost, but they will have to improve their scoring as they have netted only nine goals after ten rounds – the joint lowest in the league.  

Paderborn should be able to dominate this league encounter at Benteler Arenay, especially given their strong home form. I'm going with a home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – HIGH

Three of the last four league meetings between the pair at Benteler Arena have seen three total goals or more. I believe we will treated to a high-scoring league game once again.

HEAD TO HEAD

Paderborn have won just one of their previous four league meetings with Sandhausen, losing the other three. The teams last met in February 2016 when Sandhausen claimed a narrow 1-0 win at Hardtwald Stadium.

Erzgebirge Aue - Arminia Bielefeld

Home win number three for Aue

TEAM NEWS

Goalkeeper Robert Jendrusch is the only injury absentee for Aue but coach Daniel Meyer will have to find replacements for Nicolai Rapp and Calogero Rizzuto, who are both suspended.

Bielefeld are expected to be without midfielder Nils Quaschner, who is still recovering from a knee injury but working on his comeback, while Tom Schutz has problems with his Achilles tendon and will be out for the upcoming weeks. Sven Schipplock is the side's third unavailable player with a knee injury.

Aue

Suspended: Nicolai Rapp, Calogero Rizzuto

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Robert Jendrusch (meniscus)

Bielefeld

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nils Quaschner, Sven Schippock (both knee); Tom Schutz (Achilles)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

After a tough start to life in Aue, things are slowly but surely kicking into gear for Daniel Meyer. Since claiming a 2-1 win away at rock-bottom Duisburg in mid-September, Aue have lost only two of their following four league matches, winning one and drawing one. The side have been better on home turf than away so far, having claimed seven of their 11 points in front of their own crowd. Last weekend, Philipp Riese’s goal gave them a 1-0 lead at Dresden after 24 minutes, but the hosts hit back two minutes later, with the East German derby ending 1-1.

Bielefeld were beaten for the third time in a row last time out as high-flying Greuther Furth claimed a 3-2 victory at Schuco Arena. Having failed to secure a single point from the last nine available, Bielefeld remain in 12^thplace. Jeff Saibene’s men have also only been average away from home this season, winning only one, drawing two and losing two of their five away league games.

Despite enjoying a positive start to the campaign with just one loss in their first seven league games (three wins, three draws), the visitors have been looking vulnerable of late and I can see them falling to yet another away defeat this weekend. Put your money on an Aue win.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – EVEN

The last four league meetings between the pair have finished with even total goals. I believe this trend will be continue here. Take a punt on even total goals to be scored.

HEAD TO HEAD

Five of the last ten league meetings between Aue and Bielefeld have ended all square, while Aue have won two and Bielefeld three. However, Bielefeld are unbeaten in the last six league encounters (three wins, three draws), with Aue's last win dating back to February 2011.

1.FC Köln - FC Heidenheim

Cologne to get back to winning ways

TEAM NEWS

Cologne's Nikolas Nartey is sidelined with a foot injury while Christian Clemens has ruptured his ligaments and is out for the upcoming weeks too. Vincent Koziello and Lasse Sobiech have suffered injuries during training and are not expected to recover in time for the league game against Heidenheim.

Frank Schmidt’s Heidenheim will have to do without defender Maximilian Thiel.

Cologne

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nikolas Nartey (foot), Christian Clemens (ligament rupture), Vincent Koziello (shoulder), Lasse Sobiech (broken toe)

Heidenheim

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable:Maximilian Thiel (pulled muscle)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Cologne have picked up just one point from their last two league games. After leading 1-0 almost until the end of their most recent league outing away at Holstein Kiel last weekend, Cologne conceded a very late equaliser two minutes from time, with the match ending 1-1. Simon Terodde once again appeared on the scoreboard for Cologne, netting his 13^thgoal of the season. Markus Anfang’s men are still leading the table with 20 points and have the best away record, but both of their league defeats have come at home where they have only claimed seven points from 15 on offer. Nevertheless, Cologne will be looking to return to winning ways at RheinEnergie Stadium this weekend.

Heidenheim are on a three-match unbeaten run following an impressive 3-0 home victory over Jens Hartel's Magdeburg last weekend, with Sebastian Griesbeck, Nikola Dovedan and Marc Schnatterer netting the goals at Voith Arena. That was the team's fourth league win of the season, but only one of those has been secured on the road where they have drawn two and lost two.

Cologne have been experiencing a bit of a blip, but they should be too strong for Heidenheim. My money is going on a win for the league leaders here.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – HIGH

Cologne have scored ten times in their five league matches at home, with only Bielefeld exceeding that tally. The hosts have also conceded ten goals on their own turf. Meanwhile, Heidenheim have netted a respectable eight goals and shipped the same number of goals in their five away league matches. I expect to see plenty of goals here.

HEAD TO HEAD

These teams will meet for the first time in league action.

FC Magdeburg - Hamburger SV

Hamburg to edge tight game at MDCC Arena

TEAM NEWS

Magdeburg boss Jens Hartel will not be able to count on Rico Preissinger and Joel Abu Hanna.

Christian Titz’s Hamburg are at full strength, with only the long-term injured Gideon Jung, Jairo Samperio and Kyriakos Papadopoulos continuing to be absent.

Magdeburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Rico Preissinger (foot), Joel Abu Hanna (rupture)

Hamburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Gideon Jung, Jairo Samperio (all knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Magdeburg are the draw specialists in the league this season. Incredibly, Jens Hartel’s men have drawn six of their ten league matches thus far – but they picked up their third loss of the season last weekend as they succumbed to a 3-0 defeat away at Heidenheim. It was a league game they never stood a chance in. Although only five other teams have lost fewer league games, Magdeburg are only one point above the drop zone due to the fact they have won just once so far – a 1-0 victory at strugglers Sandhausen. It will be imperative that they find a way to turn their draws into wins to avoid dropping further down the table. 

Hamburg have won just one of their previous five league matches, along with three draws and one defeat. The side from north Germany clinched a disappointing 0-0 home draw against Bochum last time out, with the result extending a worrying trend of no goal scored in four of their last five league matches. Nevertheless, Hamburg still find themselves in fourth, trailing leaders Cologne by two points, and they have lost only twice so far (five wins, three draws). Away from home, Christian Titz’s men also have the second best record in the league with three wins and one draw in four league games.

Neither of these teams tend to lose often, but given their form on the road, I can see the away team picking up a crucial win. This could be close, but I will back Hamburg to prevail at the MDCC Arena.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – HAMBURG

Hamburg have opened the scoring in three of their four away league games while Magdeburg have conceded first in their last two home league matches. Expect Hamburg to score the first goal in this league encounter. 

HEAD TO HEAD

These teams will meet for the first time in league action.

SV Darmstadt 98 - Greuther Fürth

Lilies to win at Bollenfalltor

TEAM NEWS

Darmstadt’s Rouven Sattelmaier and Selim Gunduz are out with knee injuries while Felix Platte is expected to be sidelined due to foot problems.

Greuther Furth's Yosuke Ideguchi and Nik Omladic won't feature because of knee and thigh injuries respectively while Shawn Parker has tooth problems.

Darmstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Rouven Sattelmaier, Selim Gunduz (both knee), Felix Platte (foot)

Greuther Furth

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Yosuke Ideguchi (knee), Nik Omladic (thigh), Shawn Parker (tooth)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Darmstadt have been experiencing a real slump since early September, obtaining just two points from their last six league games after drawing 1-1 with Jahn Regensburg last weekend. The Lilies are without a league win since beating Heidenheim 1-0 at Voith Arena in round four, but they recorded three wins (as well as one loss) in their first four league matches. Most of their 11 points – seven – have arrived at home, but Dirk Schuster’s troops have lost the last two league matches on their own turf.  

Greuther Furth fought back from two goals down to earn a 3-2 win with Bielefeld at Schuco Arena last time out. In doing so, Damir Buric’s boys extended their unbeaten run in the league to four games, with two of those ending in wins and two in draws. Greuther Furth are only one point behind leaders Cologne and are sitting in second place with 19 points to their name after ten league games.

Despite only managing to secure one point last time out, I have a feeling that this draw may have been the turning point in Darmstadt's downward trend. I therefore back the hosts to come out on top in this one.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – DARMSTADT

Greuther Furth have opened the scoring only twice in their last five league outings while Darmstadt managed to break the deadlock in their last league match away at Jahn Regensburg. I think they will be the first ones to score here too.

HEAD TO HEAD

The teams have met four times in league action so far, with both winning once at home and drawing twice.

MSV Duisburg - FC St. Pauli

Duisburg to claim first home win of the season

TEAM NEWS

Duisburg’s Moritz Stoppelkamp has a thigh issue which will keep him out of this weekend league clash. Meanwhile, Christian Gartner is expected to be out for the remainder of the year.

St. Pauli's Marc Hornschuh, Jan Philipp Kalla and Luca-Milan Zander are all injured and will not be available for the trip to Duisburg.

Duisburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Christian Gartner (knee), Moritz Stoppelkamp (thigh)

St. Pauli

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injure d/unavailable: Marc Hornschuh (spinal disc), Luca-Milan Zander (ankle), Jan Philipp Kalla (pubis)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Duisburg have made a poor start to their league campaign, winning only once all season, along with two draws and six losses. However, after losing 3-1 to Jahn Regensburg on home soil, coach Torsten Lieberknecht took over the reins at Duisburg and shocked leaders Cologne in a 2-1 win away from home before the international break. That first win should give their confidence a massive boost here and is much needed given the fact that they have lost all of their home league matches. The team have now moved from the bottom of the league to 16^thplace. 

St. Pauli are currently one of the in-form teams in Germany’s second tier, winning three and drawing one of their last four league games to move up into fifth place in the division. St. Pauli have an even record on the road with two wins, one draw and two defeats, scoring only five along the way. Two weeks ago, Markus Kauczinski’s side scored two late goals in the final five minutes to secure a lucky 3-1 win over Sandhausen at Millerntor. 

Lieberknecht has already had a positive impact on the hosts and I’m backing the Zebras to build on their important win last time out and claim the first home victory of the season this weekend.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – LOW

Four of the last five league meetings between both sides have ended in two or fewer total goals. I can see this one being another low-scoring encounter on Monday.

HEAD TO HEAD

Duisburg took four points form both of their fixtures with St. Pauli last term, winning 2-0 on home soil and drawing 2-2 at Millerntor.

SC Paderborn - Union Berlin

Paderborn to stop Union Berlin’s fine run

TEAM NEWS

Steffen Baumgart has a fully fit Paderborn team to choose from. The only unavailable players are Massih Wassey with a back injury and Sven Michel with an Achilles issue while Klaus Gjasula will miss the game against Union Berlin after his fifth yellow card.

Union Berlin will once again be without the long-term injured Marc Torrejon and Fabian Schonheim.

Paderborn

Suspended: Klaus Gjasula

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Massih Wassey (back), Sven Michel (Achilles)

Union Berlin

Suspended: None

Doubtful: 

Injured/unavailable: Marc Torrejon (calf), Fabian Schonheim (not fit)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Paderborn have made a good start to life back in Germany’s second tier, winning four of their first nine league matches thus far, with only Hamburg, St. Pauli and Cologne claiming more victories. Paderborn have also drawn three and have just been beaten twice this term. At Benteler Arena, Paderborn are still unbeaten, having won two and drawn two of their four home league matches. The side are coming off a 2-1 away win over rock-bottom Ingolstadt.

Only one team in this division – Magdeburg (six) – have drawn more league games than Union Berlin (five) so far. Urs Fischer’s troops won four of the other nine league matches and their strong unbeaten start means they are sitting in second place with only two points separating them from leaders Cologne. Union Berlin also have the best defence with only seven goals conceded. They were lucky not to have suffered their first defeat of the season last time out as they drew 1-1 at home with Heidenheim, scoring the equaliser in stoppage time.

Paderborn will see this one as a great opportunity to be the first team who beat Union Berlin this season. They are in very good shape at the moment and this will be a big fight on Sunday. Expect a very close league game but home advantage should prevail, with Paderborn claiming a home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – PADERBORN

Paderborn have opened the scoring in their last four league games. They will be hoping for a fast start against unbeaten Union Berlin at Benteler Arena and I'm backing them to score the opening goal.

HEAD TO HEAD

Paderborn and Union Berlin last met in league action in the 2015-16 season. Back then, Paderborn won 2-0 away from home and lost 4-0 on home turf. 

Hamburger SV - VfL Bochum

Hamburg to take three points on home soil

TEAM NEWS

Christian Titz’s Hamburg are at full strength ahead of this clash at Volkspark Stadium. Only the long-term injured Gideon Jung, Jairo Samperio and Kyriakos Papadopoulos are absent.

Bochum’s long-term injury absentees Jannik Bandowski, Milos Pantovic, Thomas Eisfeld and Florian Kraft are all expected to miss out again while Anthony Losilla is sidelined with suspension after his sending-off against Heidenheim.

Hamburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Gideon Jung, Jairo Samperio (all knee)

Bochum

Suspended: Anthony Losilla 

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Jannik Bandowski, Milos Pantovic, Thomas Eisfeld (all knee); Florian Kraft (finger)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Having gone three league games without a win (two draws, one loss), Hamburg claimed a very important 2-1 win at Bollenfalltor against Darmstadt before the international break. Christian Titz's men have won only two of their last five in the league, but they remain in a strong position in the table, sitting in third place on 17 points, two below Cologne. Hamburg had a lot of problems on home soil this term where they have only won two, drawn one and lost two, and have had more success on the road where ten of their points have been secured. 

Bochum have climbed back up the table and are now in seventh after beating Bielefeld 1-0 at home last time out. However, they have accumulated only four points from their last four league fixtures since thumping Ingolstadt 6-0 at Vonovia Stadium. Away from home, Bochum are only average, taking only five points from 12 on offer and scoring eight goals. Sitting two points behind third placed Hamburg, a positive result against these opponents could move them several places up the table.

I fancy Hamburg to win this important league game and take a step toward the top of the league standings.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – ODD

Hamburg's last three league wins have come by a one-goal margin while all of their five have had odd total goals. In truth, a single goal could be enough to settle this one between these two overall evenly matched rivals. My money is going on odd total goals at Volkspark Stadium.

HEAD TO HEAD

These two sides have not met in Germany's second tier. Their last competitive encounter took place in the top flight in 2009-10, with Hamburg claiming a 2-1 victory on the road but losing 1-0 at home. 

Jahn Regensburg - SV Darmstadt 98

Visitors to nick a close game at Continental Arena

TEAM NEWS

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

Darmstadt’s Rouven Sattelmaier and Selim Gunduz are out with knee injuries.

Jahn Regensburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

Darmstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Rouven Sattelmaier, Selim Gunduz (both knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Jahn Regensburg are a team in fine form at the moment, as they head into this encounter having won three and drawn one of their last four league games. Since losing 2-0 to Dresden at Continental Arena back in the middle of September, Achim Beierlorzer’s men have seen off giants Hamburg 5-0, Heidenheim 2-1 and Duisburg 3-1 while they were the better side in their last league outing against Greuther Furth before the international break but only managed a 1-1 draw in the end. Despite their outstanding form, the two points dropped last time out means Regensburg have slid from sixth place into eighth.

The pressure is really starting to mount on Dirk Schuster as his Darmstadt side were beaten again two weeks ago, losing 2-1 at home to third-placed Hamburg. In fact, since seeing off Heidenheim 1-0 at Voith Arena back in September, the Lilies have taken a mere point from their last five matches in the league. The side have dropped into 14^thplace in the table on just ten points.

Darmstadt have to find a way to win sooner rather than later and I expect them to have enough firepower to break Regensburg's unbeaten run. I’m backing the away side to leave Continental Arena with all three points like in their 3-0 away win last season.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – HIGH

These two defences have leaked plenty of goals this season, with Jahn Regensburg shipping 13 and Darmstadt 15. Furthermore, four of Regensburg's last six league fixtures have had three or more total goals as have three of Hamburg's last four. Because of that, I envision a high-scoring match here too.

HEAD TO HEAD

There have only been three league meetings at Continental Arena between these teams recently, with Regensburg winning two and losing one. Last season, both sides lost their home league fixtures in this head-to-head.

FC Heidenheim - FC Magdeburg

Heidenheim to pick up yet another home win

TEAM NEWS

Frank Schmidt’s Heidenheim will have to do without defenders Arne Feick and Maximilian Thiel

Magdeburg boss Jens Hartel will not be able to count on Rico Preissinger, Roman Bregerie and Joel Abu Hanna.

Heidenheim

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Arne Feick (ankle), Maximilian Thiel (pulled muscle)

Magdeburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Rico Preissinger (foot), Roman Bregerie (calf), Joel Abu Hanna (rupture)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Heidenheim have had a mixed bag of results since the start of their league campaign. The team have won three, drawn three and lost three of their first nine league fixtures. After earning a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Bochum at Voith Arena in late September, they were very close to beating Union Berlin last time out but conceded a goal in injury time, with the match ending 1-1. They have lost only once at home, having won twice and drawn once.

Magdeburg are one of only four teams who have still only registered a single victory so far, after drawing 2-2 at home against Dresden two weeks ago. However, Magdeburg showed great morale as they came from two goals down to earn a decent point. The side are occupying a lowly 15^thplace with one win, six draws and two defeats.

Heidenheim are very strong at Voith Arena and have won their last two league matches on home soil. Magdeburg will no doubt put up a brave fight, but the hosts should be able to take all three points in this one. I’m backing a Heidenheim victory here.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – EVEN

Two of Heidenheim's three wins have come by a two-goal margin. I’m backing Heidenheim to win by two goals, so have a punt on even total goals to be scored at Voith Arena.

HEAD TO HEAD

These teams will meet for the first time in league action.