Arminia Bielefeld - MSV Duisburg

Bielefeld to get back to winning ways

TEAM NEWS

Bielefeld are expected to be without midfielder Nils Quaschner, who is still recovering from a knee injury, while Roberto Massimo has problems with his thigh and will be out for the upcoming weeks. Goalkeeper Stefan Ortega is another unavailable player with a pulled muscle, while Sven Schipplock and Cedric Brunner both have knee problems and have been ruled out too. Joan Simun Edmundsson is suspended.

Duisburg’s Christian Gartner is expected to be out for the remainder of the year. Joseph-Claude Gyau, Cauly Oliveira Souza and Sebastian Neumann have suffered fresh injuries and are not available either.

Bielefeld

Suspended: Joan Simun Edmundsson

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nils Quaschner, Sven Schipplock, Cedric Brunner (all knee); Stefan Ortega (pulled muscle), Roberto Massimo (thigh)

Duisburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Christian Gartner (knee), Joseph-Claude Gyau (foot), Sebastian Neumann (hip), Cauly Oliveira Souza (ankle)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Jeff Saibene’s Bielefeld came from behind to seal a 1-1 draw over bottom side Ingolstadt two weeks ago. It was a much-needed point for the team after losing five league games in a row. They have struggled to make the Schuco Arena a fortress this season, winning just two of their league fixtures on home soil, along with one draw and three losses, and are only three points above the relegation zone. 

Sitting in 16^th, Duisburg remain in the drop zone despite winning one and drawing two of their last three league games. Their scoreless stalemate at Sandhausen last time out was their fourth league draw of the campaign. Since Torsten Lieberknecht arrived on the scene in early October, Duisburg have picked up two wins, two draws and only one defeat in five league games. However, their abysmal start to the campaign with six losses and two draws means the Zebras are still threatened by relegation.

Bielefeld have had a poor run of results of late, but I can see them bouncing back after the international break. Both teams are desperate for points, but I will pick the home side to win this one.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – BIELEFELD

Bielefeld have opened the scoring in each of their last two home league matches. Back them to score the opening goal here too.

HEAD TO HEAD

The teams have identical statistics in their last four league meetings, with one win each and two draws.