Arminia Bielefeld - Greuther Fürth

Bielefeld makes home advantage count

TEAM NEWS

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 and is out for the upcoming weeks. Sven Schipplock is the third unavailable player with a knee injury.

Greuther Furth's Yosuke Ideguchi is out with a knee issue and Nik Imladic with a thigh injury.

Bielefeld

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

Greuther Furth

Suspended: None

Doubtful: 

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

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Bielefeld have struggled for consistency this season, winning three, drawing three and losing three so far. The team lost 1-0 to Bochum in a very close game in their most recent league outing before the international break, with the result marking their second defeat in a row. As a result, Jeff Saibene’s men have dropped to a lowly 12^thplace in the table.

Greuther Furth have been very hard to beat this season, having accumulated 16 points from a possible 27, through four wins, four draws and only one defeat. Damir Buric’s men are coming off a 1-1 draw at home against in-form Jahn Regensburg, but goalscoring looks to be an issue of late with only two goals scored in their last four league games. 

Bielefeld will be eager to get back to winning ways in an attempt to climb up the table again. Fourth-placed Greuther Furth will no doubt give the hosts a good game, but I’m backing the home side to get the job done on their own turf.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST HALF HAD – DRAW 

All of the last three league meetings between the pair at Schuco Arena have been level at half time, so back the first half to end all square on Saturday.

HEAD TO HEAD

Bielefeld are unbeaten in their last three league meetings with Greuther Furth, winning once and drawing twice.