FC Ingolstadt 04 - Union Berlin

Ingolstadt to edge tight game on home turf

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.

Union Berlin will once again be without the long-term injured Suleiman Abdullahi, Marc Torrejon, Fabian Schonheim, Joshua Mees and Sebastian Polter.

Ingolstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

Union Berlin

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Sebastian Polter (Achilles), Suleiman Abdullahi (ankle), Marc Torrejon (calf), Joshua Mees (thigh), Fabian Schonheim (not fit)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Ingolstadt can’t seem to buy a win for love nor money at the moment. The Schanzer, who had an average start to their season, have sealed just one league win so far. Since beating Aue 3-2 at Audi-Sportpark in round four last month, the Schanzer have picked up yet a point from the last nine on offer. The Bavarian club hover just above the relegation one in 15^thplace after succumbing to a 2-1 away loss against leaders Cologne in midweek.

Union Berlin maintained their unbeaten start to their league season with scoring to late goals in a 2-0 home win against Holstein Kiel at Tuesday night. Urs Firscher’s Union have without doubt been a consistent team in the league so far, winning three and drawing four to occupy second / third spot in Germany’s second tier. Only Cologne and Paderborn have scored more than Union 11 league goals but they have the best defense in the league with conceding only five.

Ingolstadt have been in poor form of late, and they are in need of points. With new coach on the sideline Alexander Nouri Ingolstadt will be aiming for the second win of the season. My money is going on a Ingolstadt victory here.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN - EVEN

67% of Ingolstadt and Union Berlin’s last six league matches have finished with even total goals. Expect even total goals here too.

HEAD TO HEAD

Both teams won their away league fixture last season, with Union Berlin posting a 1-0 win and Ingolstadt claiming a 2-1 victory.