SC Paderborn - SV Darmstadt 98

Narrow victory for high-flying Paderborn

TEAM NEWS

Coach Steffen Baumgart has a fully-fit Paderborn team at his disposal, with only Leon Fesser out with a thigh injury.

Rouven Sattelmaier, Max Grun and Selim Gunduz remain on the sidelines at Darmstadt through injury.

Paderborn

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Leon Fesser (thigh)

Darmstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Rouven Sattelmaier, Selim Gunduz (both knee); Max Grun (elbow)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Paderborn made a great start to their league campaign following promotion from Germany's third division last season, but Steffen Baumgart’s men have had ups and downs in recent weeks. In fact, last weekend’s 3-0 win over Dresden on home soil was their first home victory since beating Aue 1-0 over two month ago. However, they are still unbeaten in front of their own crowd with three wins and six draws – and their main target will be to remain unbeaten on home soil before the winter break.

Darmstadt battled back from 2-0 down to earn a 2-2 draw against rivals Aue at Erzgebirgs Stadium last weekend. The Lilies have been far more successful at home (14 points) than on the road (five points), where they have won only one, drawn two and lost five of their eight away league games. The team have now failed to win their last five league matches overall, losing three and drawing two. Sitting in 13^thwith only seven points separating them from the bottom three, they will need to start turning those draws into wins soon.

Paderborn, who are seventh, will be eyeing all three points from this home league fixture against Darmstadt. Steffen Baumgart’s boys should be too strong for these poor travellers, so my money is going on a narrow home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST HALF HAD – DRAW

Paderborn have been drawing at half time in their last two home league matches while Darmstadt have been level at the break in two of their last three away from home. Expect this encounter to be level at the break.

HEAD TO HEAD

The sides have met only once in the second tier so far, with Darmstadt winning the opener 1-0 at home back in August.

Erzgebirge Aue - Union Berlin

Union Berlin to return to capital with win

TEAM NEWS

Goalkeeper Robert Jendrusch and defender Nicolai Rapp are the only two absentees for Aue while Dennis Kempe faces a suspension after receiving his fifth yellow card in the last league match.

Union Berlin will once again be without the long-term injured Marc Torrejon while Christopher Lenz and Fabian Schonheim are expected to return in due course. However, this league match will come too soon for them.

Aue

Suspended: Dennis Kempe

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Robert Jendrusch (meniscus), Nicolai Rapp (calf)

Union Berlin

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Marc Torrejon (calf), Christopher Lenz (pulled muscle), Fabian Schonheim (adductor)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Aue fell to a disappointing 2-2 home draw against league rivals Darmstadt last weekend. The Viola were 2-0 up before conceding two goals within two minutes in the second half. They have struggled for consistency of late, winning only one, drawing two and losing three of their last six league outings. The team are 12^thin Germany’s second tier at the moment, seven points above the drop zone.

Union Berlin remain in third spot following a hard-fought 2-0 win over Bochum at Alte Forsterei in their last league fixture. Urs Fischer’s men have been solid throughout the campaign, winning seven and drawing ten league matches. In fact, they are the only team left who are still unbeaten, creating a new record in Germany's second division after 17 rounds. 

Having failed to win any of their last three home league matches (two draws, one loss), I doubt Aue will be capable of inflicting a first defeat on Union Berlin. The visitors clearly have the momentum and I'll be backing them to leave with all three points this weekend.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – AUE

Despite winning only once, Aue have scored the opening goal in their last four league outings. I think they may break the deadlock in this clash, too.

HEAD TO HEAD

Aue have won just one of their last five league meetings with Union Berlin, losing three times and drawing once. 

MSV Duisburg - Dynamo Dresden

Second home win of the season for Duisburg

TEAM NEWS

Duisburg’s Christian Gartner and Sebastian Neumann will be out for the remainder of the year. Dustin Bomheuer and Thomas Blomeyer are not available either. The side will also have to replace Tim Albutat and Fabian Schnellhardt who are both out with suspension.

Dresden's Marco Hartmann, Patrick Moschl, Linus Wahlqvist and Niklas Kreuzer have been ruled out.

Duisburg

Suspended: Tim Albutat, Fabian Schnellhardt

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Christian Gartner, Sebastian Neumann (both knee); Thomas Blomeyer (unspecified), Dustin Bomheuer (pulled muscle)

Dresden

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Niklas Kreuzer (strip), Marco Hartmann (rib), Patrick Moschl (hamstring), Linus Wahlqvist (unspecified)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Duisburg have been in dreadful form, losing each of their last three league fixtures, including a 2-1 home defeat against leaders Hamburg last weekend. In fact, the Zebras have won only one of their past five league matches, drawing one and losing three. With the bottom three teams performing equally disappointingly in recent weeks, Torsten Lieberknecht’s side have remained stable in a lowly 15^thplace despite their poor results, but they are just one point above Sandhausen in 16^th. 

Dresden fell to their seventh defeat of the season last weekend, losing 3-0 to Paderborn away from home. That was their second loss in a row in league action, with the team failing to score on both occasions. Sitting in 11^thwith 22 points, they remain ten points above the drop zone. 

Both are in poor shape and it is hard to make a case for either team. However, I fancy Duisburg to use their home advantage and grab the three points here.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – LOW

All of the teams' last six league meetings have ended in two total goals or fewer. With both teams out of form, I expect this trend to continue. 

HEAD TO HEAD

The teams have an identical record over the last four league meetings, with two wins each.

Holstein Kiel - Hamburger SV

Hamburg to return home with all three points

TEAM NEWS

Arne Sicker, Aaron Seydel, Masaya Okugawa and Philipp Sander continue to be out for Holstein Kiel. 

Hamburg's Gideon Jung, Jairo Samperio, Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Stepahn Ambrosius,Matti Steinmann, Vasilije Janjicic and Pierre-Michel Lasogga are still absent. 

Holstein Kiel

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Arne Sicker, Philipp Sander (both unspecified); Aaron Seydel (heel), Masaya Okugawa (pulled muscle)

Hamburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Gideon Jung, Jairo Samperio, Stephan Ambrosius (all knee); Matti Steinmann (adductor), Pierre-Michel Lasogga (pulled muscle), Vasilije Janjicic (thigh)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN 

After picking up a respectable 15 points from seven league games, Holstein Kiel were brought back down to earth last weekend as they were beaten 2-1 at home by struggling Bielefeld. Holstein Kiel had previously seen off Sandhausen (2-1), Duisburg (4-0) and Dresden (2-0). Tim Walter’s men are sitting in an excellent fifth spot on 27 points from 17 league games. With only four points separating them from third placed Union Berlin, the promotion/relegation playoff spot is still within their grasp, but they will need to return to winning ways soon – which won't be an easy task against the current league leaders this weekend.

Hamburg maintained their excellent run with a 2-1 win over Duisburg on the road last weekend. Hannes Wolf’s men have without a doubt been the most consistent team in the league so far, winning 11 times, drawing four times and losing only twice to occupy top spot in Germany's second tier. Only Union Berlin (12 goals) have conceded fewer than their 16 goals, but interestingly Hamburg have scored the lowest amount of goals in the top half of the table. 

Wolf’s side have been looking the real deal and they should be too strong for Holstein Kiel. My money is going on a routine win for the away side.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – ODD

Hamburg’s last three wins have arrived via a one-goal differential while Holstein Kiel have lost their last league outing by one goal, too. Given those statistics, a one-goal margin could be enough to settle a tight league encounter at Holstein Stadium this weekend. Take a punt on odd total goals to be scored here.

HEAD TO HEAD

These two have never met at Holstein Stadium in the second tier. Their first ever league meeting was won by Holstein Kiel 3-0 in August earlier this season.

FC St. Pauli - FC Magdeburg

St. Pauli to seal routine victory on home soil

TEAM NEWS

St. Pauli's Marc Hornschuh, Richard Neudecker, Christopher Buchtmann and Daniel Buballa are all injured and will not be available.

Magdeburg boss Michael Oenning will not be able to count on Aleksandar Ignjovski, who remains out injured. 

St. Pauli 

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Marc Hornschuh (spinal disc), Christopher Buchtmann (pulled muscle); Richard Neudecker, Daniel Buballa (both calf)

Magdeburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Aleksandar Ignjovski (elbow)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN 

St. Pauli are going about their business quietly, sitting just outside the top three in fourth, level on points with third placed Union Berlin. Last weekend, the in-form team made it back-to-back victories when winning 2-0 against Greuther Furth at home. They have been very hard to beat in recent weeks and are on a six-game unbeaten run since losing 1-0 to Holstein Kiel on their own turf back in late October, winning three and drawing three. St. Pauli have claimed three more points on the road than on home soil, but the atmosphere at Millerntor make their home stadium an intimidating place to visit.

Magdeburg, who were a third-division outfit last term, have been experiencing a woeful campaign so far in the second tier. They are currently sitting in 17^th, two points from safety. Michael Oenning’s troops have won just one, drawn eight and lost eight of their 17 league outings and have picked up only two points from the last 24 on offer. On their travels, Magdeburg have lost four on the bounce in league action, crashing to a heavy 3-0 loss at second placed Cologne in their most recent away league game last weekend.

Oenning would love to pick up a good result against St. Pauli before the winter break, but the hosts are clearly the stronger team here. I'll back a home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – EVEN

St. Pauli have won their last two league games by a two-goal margin and I would not be surprised to see a similar outcome here. Back even total goals to be scored here.

HEAD TO HEAD

The teams have met only once in the past decade, with St. Pauli beating Magdeburg 2-1 away earlier this season.

FC Ingolstadt 04 - Jahn Regensburg

Ingolstadt to claim win in Bavarian derby

TEAM NEWS

Ingolstadt will be without Christian Trasch, Joey Breitfeld, Thomas Pledl and Lucas Galvao.

Jahn Regensburg's Oliver Hein, Sebastian Nachreiner, Jonas Fohrenbach and Julian Derstroff have been ruled out while strikers Marco Gruttner and Sargis Adamyan are  suspended for this Bavarian derby.

Ingolstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Christian Trasch, Joey Breitfeld (both knee); Lucas Galvao (calf), Thomas Pledl (ligaments)

Jahn Regensburg

Suspended: Marco Gruttner, Sargis Adamyan

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Oliver Hein, Sebastian Nachreiner (both knee); Jonas Fohrenbach (ankle), Julian Derstroff (pulled muscle)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Since Jens Keller’s arrival at Audi Sportpark, Ingolstadt have drawn both of their last two league matches under his guidance. Last weekend, the Schanzer were held to a 1-1 draw at home against sixth placed Heidenheim. Despite those two encouraging results, the side are still rooted to the bottom of the table and are three points from safety. Having won just one of their 17 league fixtures this season (seven draws, nine losses), these are no doubt worrying times for Ingolstadt, who are desperate for points.

Mid-table side Jahn Regensburg dropped two points in a 2-2 draw at Sandhausen last weekend. The point at Hardtwald Stadium left them winless in four league fixtures, having drawn three and lost one. In fact, the Regensburg outfit have won only one of their previous nine games in the league, along with seven draws and one defeat. 

Given the teams' positions in the table, this should be an easy win for the visitors on paper, but they have two strikers missing through suspension and will be facing a side who have improved of late. I'm going to risk a punt on the home team here.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – HIGH

Three of the only four league meetings between the teams at Audi Sportpark have been high-scoring affairs. Expect this trend to continue.

HEAD TO HEAD

There have been only three league meetings between the sides since 2012-13, which have all been won by Jahn Regensburg. 

Arminia Bielefeld - FC Heidenheim

Bielefeld to secure vital victory over Heidenheim

TEAM NEWS

Bielefeld's Nils Quaschner, Sven Schipplock, Joan Simun Edmundsson, Roberto Massimo and Cedric Brunner have been ruled out.

Heidenheim will be without the injured Robert Glatzel and captain Marc Schnatterer.

Bielefeld

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nils Quaschner, Sven Schipplock, Cedric Brunner (all knee); Joan Simun Edmundsson (ligament), Roberto Massimo (not fit)

Heidenheim

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Robert Glatzel (torn ligament), Marc Schnatterer (foot)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN  

14^thplaced Bielefeld beat top five side Holstein Kiel in a hard-fought 2-1 win at Holstein Stadium last weekend, with the winning goal arriving nine minutes from time. It was their first league game since coach Jeff Saibene's sacking – and their first victory since beating Darmstadt 2-1 back in September, having lost six and drawn three times in the meantime. It was a perfect start for new boss Uwe Neuhaus, who will be aiming for back-to-back wins here.  

Heidenheim have been in very good form, losing only one, drawing four and winning five of their last ten league matches. The side have in fact won two of their last three league outings, beating Sandhausen 2-1 and Duisburg 4-1, before registering a 1-1 away draw against bottom side Ingolstadt last weekend. However, although they have clinched a respectable 11 points on their travels, only two of their nine away league games have ended in wins, along with five draws and two defeats. Sitting in sixth, Frank Schmidt’s men are just four points adrift of the promotion/relegation playoff place at present.

Heidenheim may be the obvious choice here, but Bielefeld appear to have received a considerable boost from their new man in the dugout. I think the side will be able to make home advantage count and use their momentum from last weekend's win to claim a second consecutive victory here.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – BIELEFELD

Bielefeld have scored the opening goal in two of their last three league games, taking five points from a possible nine along the way. Meanwhile, Heidenheim have conceded first in each of their last two away league matches. I can see the hosts opening the scoring in this one.

HEAD TO HEAD

These two sides have met only three times at Schuco Arena in Germany's second division, with Bielefeld beating Heidenheim 2-1 on one occasion and the other two league encounters finishing level.

SV Sandhausen - Greuther Fürth

All square at Hardtwald Stadium

TEAM NEWS

Sandhausen’s Tim Knipping, Alexander Rossipal, Tim Kister, Maximilian Jansen andNejmeddin Daghfous are all out with different injuries.

Greuther Furth's Yosuke Ideguchi, Maximilian Wittek and Daniel Steininger won't feature because of injury and Mario Maloca is sidelined with suspension.

Sandhausen

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Tim Knipping, Tim Kister (both broken foot); Alexander Rossipal (ankle), Nejmeddin Daghfous (knee), Maximilian Jansen (adductor)

Greuther Furth

Suspended: Mario Maloca

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Yosuke Ideguchi, Daniel Steininger (both knee); Maximilian Wittek (back)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Sitting in a disappointing 16^thplace, Sandhausen have been struggling for form. They did battle to a 2-2 draw with Jahn Regensburg at Hardtwald Stadium in their last league outing but are winless in their last seven league matches, drawing four and losing three. Their last victory was against Ingolstadt, who are rooted to the bottom of the table, back in October.

Greuther Furth can't buy a win for love nor money at the moment as they crashed to their third consecutive defeat at the weekend. They are totally out of form with only one win and one draw since mid-October, losing five during that time. They were beaten 2-0 by in-form St. Pauli last weekend and have now not scored in their last three league outings. With the pressure starting to mount on coach Damir Buric, Greuther Furth could do with all three points here.

With these two in poor form, this could go either way in Sandhausen. I can see this ending level at Hardtwald Stadium.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – LOW

Greuther Furth have scored only six times on the road – the lowest in the league. Sandhausen, meanwhile, have registered only seven goals on their own turf, with only Duisburg boasting an even worse record. A low-scoring league encounter is on the cards.

HEAD TO HEAD

Greuther Furth are unbeaten in their last eight league meetings, winning three and drawing five.

1.FC Köln - VfL Bochum

Cologne to claim important home win

TEAM NEWS

Cologne's list of absentees consists of Christian Clemens, Vincent Koziello and Lasse Sobiech while Marco Hoger saw his fifth yellow card against Magdeburg on Monday and is suspended for the home clash against Bochum.

Bochum are still dealing with long-term absentees Jannik Bandowski, Milos Pantovic, Sebastian Maier, Maxim Leitsch, Baris Ekincier and ThomasEisfeld.

Cologne

Suspended: Marco Hoger

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Christian Clemens (ligament rupture), Lasse Sobiech (broken toe), Vincent Koziello (knee)

Bochum

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable:Jannik Bandowski, Milos Pantovic, Thomas Eisfeld (all knee); Sebastian Maier (groin), Maxim Leitsch (pubis), Baris Ekincier (unspecified)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Cologne have been flying of late, winning five league games in a row/ to cement their place behind leaders Hamburg in Germany's second division. Following last week's 3-0 win at home against strugglers Magdeburg, the team are now trailing Hamburg by only one point and a win here could potentially catapult them into the top spot. Cologne have been clinical at Rhein Energie Stadium recently, winning three times in a row and scoring 15 goals in the process.

Bochum head into this league game having picked up only one point from the last nine on offer. Since securing back-to-back home wins over Darmstadt (1-0) and Aue (2-1), the side have drawn with Magdeburg (0-0) and lost to St. Pauli (3-1) as well as to Union Berlin (2-0). That poor run has seen them dropping from fifth into eighth, with seven points separating them from third placed Union Berlin. Robin Dutt’s men will have to improve if they want to be in the running for the promotion/relegation playoff spot.

This is a vital league fixture for both teams for different reasons. Bochum need the points to start climbing up the league table again while Cologne will want to keep the pressure on the leaders with a win here. It could be close, but I fancy the home side to come out on top.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – COLOGNE

Cologne have scored the opening goal in their last five league matches and I think they will net the opener this weekend, too.

HEAD TO HEAD

The last two league meetings between the pair have been won by Cologne. Meanwhile, Bochum have not won at Rhein Energie Stadium in league action since a top-flight meeting back in April 2004.

1.FC Köln - FC Magdeburg

Cologne to continue great run with home win

TEAM NEWS

Cologne's list of absentees consists of Christian Clemens, Jonas Hector and Lasse Sobiech. 

Magdeburg boss Michael Oenning will not be able to count on Aleksandar Ignjovski, who remains out injured. 

Cologne

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Christian Clemens (ligament rupture), Lasse Sobiech (broken toe), Jonas Hector (knee)

Magdeburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Aleksandar Ignjovski (elbow)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Cologne have been in excellent form, winning four, drawing two and losing only one of their last seven league games. Since falling to a 1-0 defeat against leaders Hamburg at the Volkspark Stadium back in November, Markus Anfang’s men have won four in a row, with their latest league fixture ending 3-1 in their favour against Jahn Regensburg away from home. Cologne are sitting comfortably in second place, with a five-point lead over Union Berlin in third and only one point behind Hamburg.

Michael Oenning’s Magdeburg will be hoping to build on their draws at home to Bochum (0-0) and local rivals Union Berlin (1-1) in their last two league fixtures. Despite managing to avoid defeat in those league outings, Magdeburg have still only secured one win so far this season and have grabbed only three points from the last 24 on offer. The team are sitting in 16^th, the promotion/relegation playoff place, two points from safety. 

Even though Magdeburg have improved since new boss Oenning's arrival in mid-November,  Cologne are on a different level and should easily be able to dispatch this struggling side. Back the home side to win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – COLOGNE

Cologne have scored the opening goal in their last four league matches and I think they will net the opener this weekend, too.

HEAD TO HEAD

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

Erzgebirge Aue - SV Darmstadt 98

Draw seems possible between the pair

TEAM NEWS

Goalkeeper Robert Jendrusch, defenders Nicolai Rapp and Luke Hemmerich are the only two absentees for Aue.

Rouven Sattelmaier, Max Grun and Selim Gunduz remain on the sidelines at Darmstadt through injury.

Aue

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Robert Jendrusch (meniscus), Luke Hemmerich (ankle), Nicolai Rapp (calf)

Darmstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Rouven Sattelmaier, Selim Gunduz (both knee); Max Grun (elbow)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Aue returned to winning ways with a bang last weekend, thumping Greuther Furth 5-0 at Sportpark Ronhof, with four of those goals arriving in the second half. The team had been struggling in the four rounds before that, losing three and drawing one. The unexpected, convincing victory has moved them further away from the bottom three, with seven points and four spots now separating them from 16^thplaced Magdeburg. 

After losing three straight, Darmstadt managed to stop the rot last time out by recording a 1-1 draw at home. However, that point was secured against bottom-of-the-league Ingolstadt, who have lost a joint league-high nine league games so far, so the result is nothing to be proud of. Like Aue, Darmstadt are on 18 points after five wins, three draws and eight losses. 

Aue go into this home league match in decent form while Darmstadt stopped their negative run last weekend. Looking at their league positions, there is not much to separate these sides and I can see this one ending in an uneventful draw.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – LOW

All four league meetings between the pair have ended with one or two total goals. Neither team have scored a high amount of goals this season, with Aue netting 20 and Darmstadt 19, so I expect another low-scoring league encounter.

HEAD TO HEAD

The sides have met only four times so far in league action, with Darmstadt winning three times and losing once. 

SV Sandhausen - Jahn Regensburg

Jahn Regensburg to take all three points at Hardtwald Stadium

TEAM NEWS

Sandhausen’s Tim Knipping, Erik Zenga, Tim Kister and Nejmeddin Daghfous are all out with different injuries.

Jahn Regensburg's Oliver Hein, Sebastian Nachreiner, Jonas Fohrenbach and Julian Derstroff have been ruled out while defender Marcel Correia is suspended.

Sandhausen

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Tim Knipping (broken foot), Erik Zenga (muscle), Tim Kister (broken foot), Nejmeddin Daghfous (knee)

Jahn Regensburg

Suspended: Marcel Correia

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Oliver Hein, Sebastian Nachreiner (both knee); Jonas Fohrenbach (ankle), Julian Derstroff (pulled muscle)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Sandhausen are sitting second from bottom after a disastrous run of results. Since sealing a 4-0 home win over rock-bottom Ingolstadt back in October, the side have picked up only three points from the last 18 available, drawing three and losing three of their past six league matches. They failed to keep hold of a 1-0 lead away at fellow strugglers Bielefeld last weekend, drawing 1-1 after conceding the equaliser in the 79^thminute. Only Duisburg have a worse home record.  

Meanwhile, Jahn Regensburg’s ten-game unbeaten run of four wins and six draws came to an end last weekend as they succumbed to a 3-1 home defeat against high-flying Cologne. Achim Beierlorzer’s men fell behind early and went into the break 2-0 down before halving the deficit in the 55^thminute. However, a third Cologne goal put Jahn's defeat beyond doubt. That loss aside, Regensburg have been decent of late, but six draws, one loss and only one win in their last eight league matches still sees them in mid-table, occupying tenth place. Converting these draws into wins will be key if they are aiming for a higher finish come the end of the season.

Jahn Regensburg will be desperate to bounce back at the first time of asking this weekend after their disappointing loss last time out. They are unbeaten in their last six away league matches, having drawn three and won three, and I’m backing them to return to winning ways here.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – LOW

Four of Sandhausen's seven league home matches have ended with low scorelines while only two other teams have hit the back of the net on fewer occasions. Only two of Jahn Regensburg's last five league games have featured more than two total goals. Expect a low-scoring league encounter.

HEAD TO HEAD

There have only been two league meetings over the last five years, with both teams winning their home league fixture last season.

FC Ingolstadt 04 - FC Heidenheim

Ingolstadt to take all three points

TEAM NEWS

Ingolstadt will be without Christian Trasch, Joey Breitfeld and Tobias Schrock while Robin Krausse and Thorsten Rocher are suspended.

Heidenheim will be without the injured Robert Glatzel and captain Marc Schnatterer.

Ingolstadt

Suspended: Robin Krausse, Thorsten Rocher

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Christian Trasch, Joey Breitfeld (both knee); Tobias Schrock (thigh)

Heidenheim

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Robert Glatzel (torn ligament), Marc Schnatterer (foot)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN 

Ingolstadt started life under new coach Jens Keller with a 1-1 draw away at Darmstadt last weekend. Both goals were converted penalties, with the visitors opening the scoring in the second minute before the hosts equalised 17 minutes from the final whistle. Ingolstadt will be kicking themselves as they could have done with a win, having claimed only one victory so far this term. The side are rooted to the bottom of the table with only nine points and are four points from safety. They are also winless since early September, having drawn four and lost eight league games in the process.

Heidenheim have been improving under Frank Schmidt and are coming off back-to-back victories, beating Sandhausen 2-1 away and Duisburg 4-1 at home in their last two league outings. The team have in fact lost only once since late September, winning five and drawing three times along the way, a run which has catapulted them into sixth place, only two points adrift of third placed Union Berlin.

Ingolstadt's home form is hardly something to shout about, but it may be worth noting that six of their nine points have come on their own turf. Keller will be desperate to decrease the gap between his men and 15^thplaced Duisburg and he will be looking for a win here. I'm going to back the hosts.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – ODD

All of the teams' six league meetings have featured odd total goals. Expect this to continue. 

HEAD TO HEAD

The teams have met just twice at Ingolstadt over the last four years, with Ingolstadt winning 1-0 and 3-0.

SC Paderborn - Dynamo Dresden

Paderborn to seal third home win

TEAM NEWS

Coach Steffen Baumgart has a fully-fit Paderborn team at his disposal, with only Leon Fesser out with a thigh injury.

Dresden's Marco Hartmann, Patrick Moschl, Linus Wahlqvist and Niklas Kreuzer have been ruled out.

Paderborn

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Leon Fesser (thigh)

Dresden

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Niklas Kreuzer (strip), Marco Hartmann (rib), Patrick Moschl (hamstring), Linus Wahlqvist (unspecified)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN 

Paderborn are no longer playing as well as they did earlier in the season and have secured only five points from their last 15 available. Since registering back-to-back wins over two months ago, the side have lost two, drawn four and won only once. Their inability to convert draws into wins has seen languishing in mid-table and they are trailing third-placed Union Berlin by six points after losing 1-0 at leaders Hamburg last weekend. Nevertheless, they are still unbeaten on their own turf with two wins and six draws.

Dresden have had a topsy-turvy season so far, winning six, losing six and drawing four of their 16 league fixtures. The side are difficult to pin down, highlighted by their recent record of two wins, two draws and two losses (including a 2-0 home defeat against Holstein Kiel last weekend) over their last six league fixtures. Dresden are level on points with Paderborn, having secured 22 so far, but they have a worse goal difference. 

Both teams will be desperate to return to winning ways, but Paderborn's decent home form may be key here. I'm backing the home side. 

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – HIGH

63% of Paderborn’s home league matches have seen three total goals or more. In addition, the teams' last eight league meetings have been high-scoring affairs. With both teams in need of points I expect another high-scoring league encounter.

HEAD TO HEAD

Paderborn and Dresden last met in Germany’s second tier in 2013-14, with Paderborn taking four points from the two league fixtures.