Dynamo Dresden - FC St. Pauli

Narrow league victory for St. Pauli

TEAM NEWS
Dresden's Brian Hamalainen, Jannik Muller and Marco Hartmann are sidelined.

St. Pauli's Philipp Ziereis, Luca-Milan Zander, Jan-Philipp Kalla, Christopher Avevor, Waldemar Sobota and Henk Veerman are all injured and will not be available for the rest of the season.

Dresden
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Brian Hamalainen (back), Jannik Muller (pulled muscle), Marco Hartmann (thigh)

St. Pauli
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Philipp Ziereis, Henk Veerman (both knee); Luca-Milan Zander (shoulder); Jan-Philipp Kala, Waldemar Sobota (both ligaments); Christopher Avevor (adductor)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN
Dresden have lost two and won only one of their last three league matches after falling to a 1-0 defeat away at relegation candidates Ingolstadt last time out. However, the defeat followed an impressive 3-0 home league win over leaders Cologne. Sitting six points above the drop zone and with three league matches remaining, Dresden could do with with another victory here to secure their second-division status. However, they have hardly shone at home, with only five wins, five draws and five defeats this season in the league.

St. Pauli hit Jahn Regensburg for four in an impressive performance in league last time out, beating them 4-3 despite going into the break 2-1 behind. However, that triumph was their first league victory since early March, having drawn two and lost four of their other six league fixtures. St. Pauli have particularly struggled away from home in league action of late, losing their last three on the bounce. They have also lost five and won only one of their last six away league matches, conceding three goals or more on three occasions during that time.

Dresden have produced mixed results and St. Pauli have been poor on their travels. However, the visitors are coming off an important league win and are still in the race for promotion, with five points separating them from the top three. I’m confident Jos Luhukay’s side will get the better of Dresden here.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE  - ST. PAULI
St. Pauli have scored first in each of their last four league meetings with Dresden. Back St. Pauli to open the scoring here, too.

HEAD TO HEAD
St. Pauli have picked up two wins and two draws in their last four league meetings with Dresden.

Arminia Bielefeld - SC Paderborn

Paderborn to walk over Bielefeld

TEAM NEWS
Bielefeld's Nils Quaschner, Sven Schipplock and Christopher Nothe are sidelined.

At Paderborn, Leon Fesser, Christian Strohdiek and goalkeeper Leon Bruggemeier have been ruled out through injury.

Bielefeld
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Nils Quaschner, Sven Schipplock, Christopher Nothe (all knee)

Paderborn
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Leon Bruggemeier, Leon Fesser (both knee); Christian Strohdiek (back)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN
Bielefeld drew 2-2 against bottom side Duisburg at Schauinslandreisen Arena in their last league outing. The team have now lost only one of their last six league fixtures (two wins, three draws) and are in ninth place. However, they have not impressed at Schuco Arena in the league this season, sealing just six home league victories so far, along with two draws and seven defeats. Half of those wins have come in the last four home league outings though.

Paderborn moved up to 54 points in the league thanks to an impressive display at Benteler Arena last weekend. Two goals from Christopher Antwi-Adjej and one from Kai Proger after half time were enough to give the team a 3-1 league victory against fifth-placed Heidenheim, seeing Paderborn clinch their 15th league win of the season. As a result, the side have been catapulted into second place, leapfrogging Hamburg, who lost against Union Berlin last time out. Paderborn have been decent on the road in the league this term, taking 21 points from their travels via six wins, three draws and six losses.

With Paderborn seemingly on their way to the German top flight, Steffen Baumgart’s troops will be targeting another three points from this league clash. I’m predicting an away win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN - EVEN
Seven of Bielefeld and Paderborn’s nine league meetings have finished with even total goals. Expect even total goals here, too.

HEAD TO HEAD
There have been four draws in the last six league encounters, with each team winning one along the way.

SC Paderborn - FC Heidenheim

Paderborn to ease past rivals Heidenheim at Benteler Arena

TEAM NEWS
At Paderborn, Leon Fesser and goalkeeper Leon Bruggemeier have been ruled out through injury.

Robert Leipertz is Heidenheim’s only absentee due to injury.

Paderborn
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Leon Bruggemeier, Leon Fesser (both knee)

Heidenheim
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Robert Leipertz (tendon)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN
Sitting in third, Paderborn are still very much in the mix for automatic promotion, with leaders Cologne, second-placed Hamburg and fourth-placed Union Berlin also knocking on the door of the German top flight. Last time out Paderborn won 2-1 against fellow top six side Holstein Kiel at the Holstein Stadium. They have been very strong at Benteler-Arena, accumulating an impressive 30 points from their 15 home league games, with only Union Berlin boasting a better points tally on their own turf. In their last home league outing, Steffen Baumgart’s boys thumped struggling relegation candidates Duisburg 4-0.

Fifth-placed Heidenheim are flying under Frank Schmidt at the moment. Away from home, the team have taken an outstanding 22 points in league action, winning five away league fixtures, along with seven draws and only three losses. The in-form side will travel to Paderborn having won two, drawn two and lost only one of their last five league fixtures on the road, beating Aue 1-0 at Erzgebirgs Stadium in their previous away league game. They also won 3-0 against eighth-placed St. Pauli at Voith Arena last weekend.

This is a difficult league match to predict, but I believe Paderborn will fancy their chances as they have not given up on a top two finish just yet. Back the home team to secure a win this weekend.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO - HIGH
These teams are among the highest scorers in the league. Paderborn have scored 68 goals while Heidenheim have struck 44 times in 30 league games. I foresee a high-scoring league encounter.

HEAD TO HEAD
Paderborn have drawn two and won one of the last three league meetings with Heidenheim. Their only victory was achieved via a 5-1 scoreline at Voith Arena back in November.

Erzgebirge Aue - VfL Bochum

Aue to secure important three points this weekend

TEAM NEWS
Aue’s defender Malcolm Cacutalua is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury. Moreover, Filip Kusic will miss this weekend’s league fixture through suspension.

Bochum's long injury list consists of Jannik Bandowski, Danilo Teodoro Soares, Tom Baack, Sidney Sam, Sebastian Maier, Vitaly Janelt, Robbie Kruse, Simon Zoller and Jan Gyamerah.

Aue
Suspended: Filip Kusic
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Malcolm Cacutalua (knee)

Bochum
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Jannik Bandowski, Danilo Teodoro Soares (both knee); Tom Baack (ill), Sidney Sam (thigh), Sebastian Maier (groin); Vitaly Janelt, Jan Gyamerah (both adductor); Robbie Kruse (not fit), Simon Zoller (ligaments)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN
Aue have been in poor form of late, winning just two, drawing two and losing five of their last nine league games. However, their recent 1-1 league draw at promotion candidates Hamburg has been their only point in their last five league matches, having lost the other four. With four league matches left to play and sitting only six points above the relegation zone, the Viola could still do with several more points and a win here would come in handy. However, they have won just one of their last six home league matches, drawing one and losing four.

League wins have also been hard to come by for Bochum of late as Robin Dutt’s troops have picked up just two victories in their previous 11 league fixtures (three draws, six losses). However, since losing two and drawing one, the team are unbeaten in their last two league matches, winning one and drawing one. Last time out, Bochum were held to a 0-0 draw away from home by Darmstadt.

Bochum have not won an away league game since beating leaders Cologne 3-2 at Rhein Energie Stadium shortly before Christmas, drawing two and losing four along the way. I can see them crashing to another away league defeat this weekend and with Aue still in need of points, I’m backing the home win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: CORRECT SCORE – 2-1
Two of Aue’s last three wins in league action have been secured by a 2-1 scoreline while Bochum have lost their last away league game 2-1, too. I can see Aue sneaking another 2-1 victory.

HEAD TO HEAD
Aue have not beaten Bochum in league action over the course of the last five years, losing five and drawing three of their last eight league meetings.

Union Berlin - Hamburger SV

Battle for promotion to end all square

TEAM NEWS
Union Berlin coach Urs Fischer can choose from a fully fit squad. Only Fabian Schonheim will miss out with a knee injury while Nicolai Rapp has been ruled out with suspension.

Hamburg's Jairo Samperio and Stephan Ambrosius are out.

Union Berlin
Suspended: Nicolai Rapp
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Fabian Schonheim (knee)

Hamburg
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Jairo Samperio, Stephan Ambrosius (both knee)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW
Union Berlin have been in patchy form of late, winning two, drawing four and losing two of their last eight league matches. Last weekend, the team drew 1-1 with in-form Greuther Furth at Sportpark Ronhof. Urs Fischer’s side have been very strong at Alte Forsterei all season, accumulating an impressive 32 points from a possible 45 in league action. Union Berlin have scored in 14 of their 15 league matches at home, winning nine, drawing five and losing only one.

Hamburg, who were plying their trade in Germany’s top tier last term, have had a underwhelming month in the second division with two draws and one loss so far in April. The side still sit in an excellent second place having taken 53 points from their 30 league matches, but they are only two points above third-placed Paderborn and three points above Union Berlin in fourth. Hannes Wolf’s side have to improve if they do not want to miss out on automatic promotion as they risk being overtaken by their rivals. They drew 1-1 with struggling Aue on home soil in the league last weekend.

With both clubs pushing for promotion to the German top flight, this should be a cracking league game at Alte Forsterei. This standout match could go either way and I fancy the pair to play out an entertaining draw.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO - LOW 
Hamburg have drawn three and lost one of their last four league matches, with all of those draws resulting in no more than two total goals. Three of Union Berlin’s last four home league draws have also featured two total goals or fewer. Expect another low-scoring league match.

HEAD TO HEAD
Hamburg and Union Berlin played out a 2-2 draw in the reverse league fixture back in November, which is the only recent league meeting between the pair.

FC St. Pauli - Jahn Regensburg

St. Pauli to prevail on home soil

TEAM NEWS
St. Pauli's Philipp Ziereis, Luca-Milan Zander, Jan-Philipp Kalla, Christopher Avevor, Waldemar Sobota, Richard Neudecker and Henk Veerman are all injured and will not be available for the rest of the season.

Achim Beierlorzer can choose from a fully fit squad at Jahn Regensburg.

St. Pauli
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Philipp Ziereis, Henk Veerman (both knee); Luca-Milan Zander (shoulder); Jan-Philipp Kala, Waldemar Sobota (both ligaments); Richard Neudecker (ankle), Christopher Avevor (adductor)

Jahn Regensburg
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: None

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN
St. Pauli have struggled for wins of late, picking up just one victory in seven league fixtures (two draws, four losses). After a 1-1 home league draw with Bielefeld two weeks ago, St. Pauli were beaten 3-0 by in-form Heidenheim at Voith Arena in their last matchup in league action. Jos Lukukay’s men, who sit in eighth in the table, have sealed seven home league wins all season, losing four and drawing four times at Millerntor in league action along the way.

Jahn Regensburg have been in very solid form since suffering back-to-back league defeats at the beginning of February. Since then, the team have lost just once, winning four and drawing four. The team from southern Germany head to St. Pauli on the back of a four-match unbeaten run (two wins, two draws) after registering a 1-0 home league win over Magdeburg last weekend. The side are level on points with St. Pauli, having collected a respectable 45 points so far, but are one place above them thanks to a superior goal difference.

With this one taking place at Millerntor, St. Pauli will fancy their chances of claiming a eighth home league win of the season. Jahn Regensburg will make it tough, but the hosts have lost only two of their last ten home league matches, winning four and drawing four. My money is going on a home league win.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN - ODD
St. Pauli’s last three wins have been by a one-goal margin. With that in mind, back odd total goals to be scored in this one.

HEAD TO HEAD
St. Pauli are unbeaten in their only two home league encounters against Jahn Regensburg, winning once and drawing once.

SV Sandhausen - Holstein Kiel

Holstein Kiel to leave Hardtwald Stadium with crucial three points

TEAM NEWS
Fabian Schleusener, Maximilian Jansen, Markus Karl, Rurik Gislason, Stefan Kulovits, Philipp Forster, Soren Diekmann and Ken Gipson are the only injury absentees for Sandhausen.

David Kinsombi and Aron Seydel continues to be sidelined at Holstein Kiel while Stefan Thesker and Atakan Karazor are both suspended.

Sandhausen
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Fabian Schleusener, Stefan Kulovits (both broken foot); Maximilian Jansen (adductor), Ken Gipson (ill), Rurik Gislason (calf); Markus Karl, Soren Diekmann (both knee); Philipp Forster (bruise)

Holstein Kiel
Suspended: Stefan Thesker, Atakan Karazor
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: David Kinsombi (shin bone), Aron Seydel (heel)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN
Sandhausen are one of the form teams in the German second division, winning four, drawing two and losing none of their past six league matches. At bottom side Duisburg, Sandhausen drew 2-2 last weekend. However, despite their good recent form, they have still picked up just three league wins at Hardtwald Stadium since mid-October, drawing five and losing two of their last ten league matches on their own patch. The team are currently only four points above the drop zone.

Holstein Kiel have been enjoying a fine season under Tim Walter’s tutelage, spending most of their league campaign in the top six. The Storks have an even record away from the Holstein Stadium, securing five wins, drawing five times and suffering five defeats in league action. Since winning back-to-back away league matches back in early December, they have won just one of their past six away league games whilst losing two and drawing three. Holstein Kiel suffered a setback when they lost 2-1 at home against promotion rivals Paderborn last weekend.

Sandhausen have been in remarkably good form in recent weeks but Holstein Keil should be too strong. I can see the visitors’ promotion push continuing with another away league victory this weekend.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO - HIGH
Both teams have been scoring a fair amount of goals of late and that looks set to continue here with both attacks on fire. Sandhausen have scored two or more in four of their last five league matches while Holstein Kiel have registered nine goals in their last five league games. Both teams should at least be able to find the net and I will therefore predict a high-scoring league game.

HEAD TO HEAD
Sandhausen beat Holstein Kiel 3-1 in the team’s only home league encounter against Holstein Kiel in the second division back in 2017.

FC Magdeburg - Greuther Fürth

Magdeburg to seal maximum points

TEAM NEWS
Magdeburg boss Michael Oenning will not be able to count on Philip Turpitz, who remains out injured.

Greuther Furth's Richard Magyar and Tobias Mohr won't feature because of injury, while Daniel Keita-Ruel will miss this league match after his red card against Union Berlin.

Magdeburg
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Philip Turpitz (pulled muscle)

Greuther Furth
Suspended: Daniel Keita-Ruel
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Tobias Mohr (meniscus), Richard Magyar (calf)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN
Sitting in the bottom three, Magdeburg are four points from safety with just four league matches left to play. It has been a disastrous season for the newly-promoted club, who have won a mere five of their 30 league fixtures (12 draws, 13 losses). The side have won four league games since late January, drawing four and losing four, but they have suffered back-to-back defeats in their last two league matches, with their most recent league fixture ending in a 1-0 loss away from home against Jahn Regensburg. In fact, they have won only one of their last eight league matches, along with three draws and four defeats.

Stefan Leitl has done an excellent job at Greuther Furth so far, guiding the club to three wins, five draws and two unlucky defeats in his ten league games in charge. After conceding the winning goal in injury time against Bochum in a 3-2 defeat at Vonovia Stadium two weeks ago, the Shamrock held promotion contenders Union Berlin to a 1-1 draw at Sportpark Ronhof last weekend. Greuther Furth have been very hard to beat in league action over the past two months, winning two, drawing three and losing just one of the last six league fixtures.

This is a tough league match to call at MDCC Arena, as both teams are capable of winning it. However, with Magdeburg feeling the pressure as they are desperate for points to retain their second-division status, I fancy the hosts to claim three important points this weekend.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST HALF HAD - DRAW
Three of Greuther Furth’s last four away league meetings have been level at the break while Magdeburg have been drawing at half time in their last three home league matches. I fancy this one to be all square at half time, too.

HEAD TO HEAD
The teams have met just once in the second tier, with Greuther Furth winning an entertaining league encounter 3-2 at Sportpark Ronhof back in November.

Jahn Regensburg - FC Magdeburg

Jahn Regensburg to secure sixth home league win this weekend

TEAM NEWS
Achim Beierlorzer can choose from a fully fit squad at Jahn Regensburg.

Magdeburg boss Michael Oenning will not be able to count on Christian Beck and Philip Turpitz, who both remain out injured, while Dennis Erdmann is out with a suspension.

Jahn Regensburg
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: None

Magdeburg
Suspended: Dennis Erdmann
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Christian Beck (cheekbone), Philip Turpitz (pulled muscle)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN
Jahn Regensburg have improved of late, with Achim Beierlorzer’s boys currently only seven points behind the playoff place. After a weak February (one win, one draw, two defeats), the side have registered better results over the last two months, losing only one of their last six league fixtures, along with two wins and three draws. However, finishing in the top three will be a tall order for the Bavarian outfit. Following their 2-1 home league win over Bochum two weeks ago, they sealed an excellent 2-2 league draw against promotion hopefuls Union Berlin at Alte Forsterei last time out.

Magdeburg were beaten 1-0 by Darmstadt at MDCC Arena in the league last weekend. After securing five points from their previous three league matches over Dresden (1-1), Heidenheim (0-0) and Hamburg 2-1, that loss was a real blow. Nevertheless, Michael Oenning’s men have been exceptional in the league away from home of late, winning three, drawing one and losing only one of their last five away fixtures in the German second division.

Magdeburg have blown hot and cold in recent weeks, and Jahn Regensburg should have too much quality for the hosts to handle. Back the home win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: CORRECT SCORE – 2-1
Jahn Regensburg have won four of their five home league victories by a 2-1 scoreline and I fancy another 2-1 victory for Achim Beierlorzer’s team this weekend.

HEAD TO HEAD
Jahn Regensburg beat Magdeburg 3-2 away form home in the teams’ only league encounter in second tier.

FC Heidenheim - FC St. Pauli

Heidenheim to make it back-to-back league wins

TEAM NEWS
Robert Leipertz is Heidenheim’s only absentee due to injury.

St. Pauli's Philipp Ziereis, Luca-Milan Zander, Jan-Philipp Kalla, Dimitrios Diamantakos, Richard Neudecker and Henk Veerman are all injured and will not be available for the rest of the season.

Heidenheim
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Robert Leipertz (tendon)

St. Pauli
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Philipp Ziereis, Henk Veerman (both knee); Luca-Milan Zander (shoulder), Jan-Philipp Kala (ligaments), Dimitrios Diamantakos (pulled muscle), Richard Neudecker (ankle)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN
Heidenheim still have their eyes on the playoffs with Frank Schmidt’s boys occupying sixth place, following a rare 1-0 away league win over Aue last time out. The team have been very strong at Voith Arena this season having secured seven wins on their own patch, drawing three and losing only four times. Only six other teams have picked up more home points than Heidenheim (24) thus far. However, they have lost two and won only one of their last three on home soil in the league.

Since beating Paderborn 1-0 in the league at Benteler Arena in early March, St. Pauli have picked up just two points form their last five league fixtures. After losing both to Hamburg and Sandhausen via 4-0 scorelines which represented their biggest league defeats of the season, St. Pauli followed that up with an uneventful 0-0 stalemate against rock-bottom Duisburg on home soil before losing 2-1 away at Holstein Kiel and holding in-form Bielefeld to a 1-1 home draw last weekend.

After stopping the rot with last weekend’s win at Erzgebirgs Stadium, I can see Heidenheim overcome an uninspiring St. Pauli this weekend. Back the home victory.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN - ODD
Heidenheim’s last five league wins have all been by a one-goal margin. With that in mind, put some money on odd total goals to be netted in this one.

HEAD TO HEAD
Heidenheim have won each of their last four home league meetings with St. Pauli, scoring nine goals and conceding only two along the way.

Dynamo Dresden - 1.FC Köln

Cologne too strong for Dresden

TEAM NEWS
Dresden's Brian Hamalainen, Jannik Muller, Vasil Kusej and Marco Hartmann are sidelined.

Cologne's list of absentees consists of Niklas Hauptmann and Matthias Lehmann.

Dresden
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Brian Hamalainen (back), Jannik Muller (pulled muscle), Vasil Kusej (ligaments), Marco Hartmann (thigh)

Cologne
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Matthias Lehmann (Achilles), Niklas Hauptmann (knee)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN
Dresden may have been unable to extend their unbeaten streak under new boss Christian Fiel last weekend but they have still been in good form of late. The 3-1 loss against Sandhausen at Hardtwald Stadium was the team’s first league defeat since losing 2-0 at Darmstadt back in February, winning one and drawing four league matches during that time. On home ground they are unbeaten in four league matches, but those have all been draws while they have claimed only four league victories in front of their own crows all season, drawing five and losing five.

Cologne remain at the top of the league table after a 1-1 draw with second-placed Hamburg at Rhein Energie Stadium in the league last week. Since falling to a shock 3-2 league defeat at in-form Paderborn in mid-February, Cologne have won six league matches in a row before registering back-to-back draws with rock-bottom Duisburg and their fellow promotion contenders. Cologne head into this fixture unbeaten in eight league outings.

No one in the league have picked up more points on the road than Cologne (29) so far. I am backing the leaders to secure another away win.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE - COLOGNE
Cologne have scored the opening goal in four of their last five away league outings. I think they will be the first team on the scoresheet again.

HEAD TO HEAD
Cologne won 8-1 on home ground in the teams’ most recent league meeting earlier this season, which was also their only league encounter in the last five years.

SV Darmstadt 98 - FC Ingolstadt 04

Darmstadt to ease past rivals Bochum at Bollenfalltor

TEAM NEWS
Rouven Sattelmaier, Max Grun, Felix Platte, Slobodan Medojevic, Sebastian Hertner and Selim Gunduz remain on the sidelines at Darmstadt. Yannik Stark will miss due to suspension.

Bochum's long injury list consists of Jannik Bandowski, Danilo Teodoro Soares, Tom Baack, Maxim Leitsch, Sidney Sam, Sebastian Maier, Vitaly Janelt, Robbie Kruse, Simon Zoller, Tom Weilandt, Baris Ekincier and Jan Gyamerah.

Darmstadt
Suspended: Yannik Stark
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Rouven Sattelmaier, Selim Gunduz (both knee); Max Grun (elbow), Felix Platte (ligaments), Slobodan Medojevic (foot), Sebastian Hertner (rib)

Bochum
Suspended:
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Jannik Bandowski, Danilo Teodoro Soares (both knee); Maxim Leitsch (pubis), Baris Ekincier (unspecified), Tom Baack (ill), Sidney Sam (thigh), Sebastian Maier (groin); Vitaly Janelt, Jan Gyamerah (both adductor); Robbie Kruse (not fit), Simon Zoller (ligaments), Tom Weilandt (foot)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN
Darmstadt scored late to earn a priceless three points at rivals Magdeburg last weekend. The 1-0 away league victory helped the Lilies to move nine points clear of the drop zone. However, it has only been their third away league win of the season, along with three draws and nine defeats. Ahead of their home league fixture against Bochum, coach Dimitrios Grammozis can count on his team’s strength at Bollenfalltor where they have taken 24 points from their 14 home league outings.

Bochum picked up an important 3-2 home league win over Greuther Furth last time out, with Lukas Hinterseer scoring all three goals. Robin Dutt’s boys have been in patchy form in 2019, winning only three, drawing two and losing six of their 11 league outings this year. The team have lost each of their last two league games on the road and have been failing to win away from home in the league since beating Cologne 3-2 at the Rhein Energie Stadium in late 2018, drawing one and losing four in the meantime.

Darmstadt have picked up three home league wins in 2019 and they should have enough to see off struggling Bochum at Bollenfalltor this weekend.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN - ODD
Darmstadt’s last three league wins have been by a one-goal margin. Have a punt on odd total goals to be scored at Bollenfalltor.

HEAD TO HEAD
Bochum have won three and lost only one of their last five league meetings with Darmstadt, drawing one. 

Arminia Bielefeld - FC Ingolstadt 04

Bielefeld to seal maximum points

TEAM NEWS
Bielefeld's Nils Quaschner, Sven Schipplock, Soren Brandy, Florian Hartherz, Joan Simun Edmundsson and Christopher Nothe are sidelined.

Ingolstadt's Joey Breitfeld, Tobias Schrock, Frederic Ananou and Lucas Galvao are all out through injury.

Bielefeld
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Nils Quaschner, Sven Schipplock, Christopher Nothe, Soren Brandy (all knee); Joan Simun Edmundsson (pulled muscle), Florian Hartherz (ankle)

Ingolstadt
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Joey Breitfeld (knee), Lucas Galvao (ankle), Tobias Schrock (thigh), Frederic Ananou (shoulder)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN
Bielefeld are in fine form, winning two and drawing two of their last four fixtures in the German second division. Last time out, the side claimed a 1-1 league draw away from home against St. Pauli. At Schuco Arena, they have won each of their last three league matches, seeing off Darmstadt 1-0, Bochum 3-1 and Aue 2-1. Bielefeld sit in ninth in the table on 39 points, ten points below the playoff spot and 12 above the drop zone.

Ingolstadt failed to hold on to what would have been a vital three points at Audi Sportpark last weekend. A Dario Lezcano goal gave the Schanzer a 1-0 lead on home soil against Holstein Kiel, but Atakan Karazor equalised for the visitors early in the second half. Ingolstadt, who have picked up just four points from the last seven matches, are second from bottom in the league table with 23 points, seven points adrift of safety.

Ingolstadt are surely on their way to Germany’s third division. Bielefeld, in the meantime, are almost safe with their 39 points and have been in good shape recently, which makes the home team the favourites in this one. Have a punt on Bielefeld to get the win.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE - BIELEFELD
Bielefeld have scored first in the last two league outings this term. I fancy them to open the scoring this weekend, too.

HEAD TO HEAD
Bielefeld have not beaten Ingolstadt in league action over the course of the last nine years, losing four and drawing two of their last six league meetings.

Greuther Fürth - Union Berlin

All square at Sportpark Ronhof

TEAM NEWS
Greuther Furth's Yosuke Ideguchi, Maximilian Wittek and Tobias Mohr won't feature because of injury.

Union Berlin coach Urs Fischer can choose from a fully fit squad.

Greuther Furth
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Yosuke Ideguchi (knee), Tobias Mohr (meniscus), Maximilian Wittek (broken hand)

Union Berlin
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: None

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW
Greuther Furth had gone four league games unbeaten (two wins, two draws) before last weekend’s unlucky 3-2 league loss away at Bochum. The Shamrock conceded in injury time to gift Bochum all three points. However, new boss Stefan Leitl’s team have improved of late. They are currently sitting in 11th place on 37 points, ten points above the drop zone.

Urs Fischer’s Union Berlin have been in very poor form in the league of late, winning just one, drawing two and losing two of their last five matches in the league. Since a 2-0 home league win over second-from-bottom side Ingolstadt a month back, Union Berlin have taken just two points from the last 12 on offer in league action, drawing two and losing two. The club from the German capital still sit in third place with five league games left to play, but only have a one-point lead over Paderborn in fourth.

Greuther Furth are in good form and Union Berlin have been struggling recently, but given the fact that the visitors can’t afford to lose I fancy a draw between these two sides.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST HALF HAD - DRAW
Five of Greuther Furth’s last six home league meetings have been level at the break. I fancy this one to be all square at half time too.

HEAD TO HEAD
When these two met at Alte Forsterei earlier in the season, Union Berlin cruised to a 4-0 victory in league action. However, Greuther Furth have the edge at Sportpark Ronhof with two wins and one loss in their last three home league encounters.

Holstein Kiel - SC Paderborn

Honours even at Holstein Stadium

TEAM NEWS
David Kinsombi continues to be sidelined at Holstein Kiel while Stefan Thesker is suspended.

At Paderborn, Leon Fesser and Leon Bruggemeier have been ruled out through injury.

Holstein Kiel
Suspended: Stefan Thesker
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: David Kinsombi (shin bone)

Paderborn
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Leon Bruggemeier, Leon Fesser (both knee)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW
Holstein Kiel have one of the best home record in the division, winning seven, drawing five and losing only two of their 14 league fixtures at Holstein Stadium to take 26 points from a possible 42. Along the way, the Storks have scored 29 goals and conceded 19 on their own turf, owning the fourth best goal difference at home. They have also won the last two home league matches, seeing off Aue 5-1 and St. Pauli 2-1. Although they managed only a 1-1 league draw at bottom side Ingolstadt they are still in the race for the playoff spot, with only three points between them and third-placed Union Berlin.

Paderborn, who were in the third division last term, have been in tremendous form this season, sitting only one point behind the playoff spot in fourth, with five league matches left to go. However, after kicking off 2019 with three wins, one draw and three defeats in their first seven league fixtures, Paderborn have turned a corner in the last couple of weeks, winning three and drawing one of the last four league fixtures. Last weekend, they thrashed rock-bottom side Duisburg 4-0 at Benteler Arena.

This is a huge league fixture at the top of the table, with both teams desperate for a win. I can see these two strong teams cancelling each other out, so have a punt on the draw.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO - HIGH
Holstein Kiel have scored a respectable 54 goals in their 29 league matches so far while Paderborn have scored the second highest amount of league goals (66), with only leaders Cologne exceeding that tally (75). I can see this being a high-scoring affair.

HEAD TO HEAD
The teams have met just once in second tier, with them playing out an entertaining 4-4 draw back at Paderborn back in November.

MSV Duisburg - SV Sandhausen

Duisburg to claim rare home league win

TEAM NEWS
Duisburg’s Christian Gartner, Borys Tashchy, Dustin Bomheuer and Sebastian Neumann remain sidelined.

Fabian Schleusener, Maximilian Jansen, Markus Karl, Rurik Gislason, Stefan Kulovits, Philipp Forster, Soren Diekmann and Ken Gipson are the only injury absentees for Sandhausen.

Duisburg
Suspended:
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Christian Gartner, Sebastian Neumann (both knee); Borys Tashchy (Achilles), Dustin Bomheuer (thigh)

Sandhausen
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Fabian Schleusener, Stefan Kulovits (both broken foot), Maximilian Jansen (adductor), Ken Gipson (ill), Rurik Gislason (calf); Markus Karl, Soren Diekmann (both knee); Philipp Forster (bruise)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN
Duisburg pulled off a shock result in the league last week, claiming a point against high-flying Cologne in a 4-4 draw at Schauinslandreisen Arena, but they followed that up with a disappointing 4-0 loss away at in-form Paderborn last weekend. On home soil, the side have won only three times this season in the German second division, drawing once and losing ten times. However, Torsten Lieberknecht’s side have sealed two of those home wins in their last five home league meetings, along with ony draw and two defeats. This is maybe the last chance for the rock-bottom team to get back in the race for survival against fellow relegation candidates Sandhausen. However, seven points separate these two sides, with Sandhausen currently one place above the drop zone.

Sandhausen are in excellent form, winning four and drawing one of their last five matches in the German second tier. They have in fact not lost a league game since a 3-0 home defeat against Aue at the beginning of March. Last weekend, Aleksandr Zhirov, Nejmeddin Daghfous and Andrew Wooten were the goal scorers in a 3-1 win against Dresden at Hardtwald Stadium to move three points clear of the relegation zone. However, away from home they have had a lot of problems in the league this season, accumulating only 12 points from their 14 road trips.

Duisburg need to put a winning run together if they want to remain in the second tier next season. Sandhausen, meanwhile, will be looking for a positive result this weekend too, after a very good run lately. This could be close, but with Duisburg really feeling the pressure, my money is going on a rare home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO - HIGH
Duisburg’s last three league matches have seen 18 total goals combined while Sandhausen have scored in each of their last five league fixtures. With that in mind, I expect to see plenty of total goals in this important relegation clash.

HEAD TO HEAD
Duisburg have won two and lost one of their three league meetings with Sandhausen on home soil.

Hamburger SV - Erzgebirge Aue

Hamburg to edge past Aue

TEAM NEWS
Hamburg's Jairo Samperio, Hwang Hee chan, Aaron Hunt, Pierre-Michel Lasogga and Stephan Ambrosius are out.

Aue’s Dennis Kempe has been ruled out while defender Malcolm Cacutalua is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury. Moreover, Filip Kusic will miss this weekend’s league fixture through suspension.

Hamburg
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Jairo Samperio, Stephan Ambrosius (both knee); Hwang Hee chan (tendon), Aaron Hunt (thigh), Pierre-Michel Lasogga (adductor)

Aue
Suspended: Filip Kusic
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Malcolm Cacutalua, Dennis Kempe (both knee)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN
Hamburg have had an excellent season up until now as Hannes Wolf’s men are on their way to secure promotion to the German top flight. The side are in second with 52 points, winning 15, drawing seven and losing seven of their 29 league fixtures thus far, trailing leaders Cologne by seven points. However, with only a three-point lead over third-placed Union Berlin, the side from northern Germany will need to put their act together: Following their 1-1 draw away at Cologne in league action last week, they are now without a win in their last four league fixtures, drawing two and losing two.

Aue have lost their last four league matches on the bounce after falling to a 1-0 defeat at home to Heidenheim last weekend. They had previously lost 2-1 against Bielefeld in their most recent away league fixture. Despite that terrible recent form, Aue are still five points above the drop zone with 32 points from 29 league matches.

Hamburg have picked up back-to-back home league defeats, but they should have enough to see off lowly Aue at Volkspark Stadium this weekend. My money is going on the home win in this league fixture.

SECOND PREDICTION: CORRECT SCORE – 1-0
Hamburg’s last two home wins in the league have ended in 1-0 scorelines. I’ll be backing another 1-0 Hamburg victory.

HEAD TO HEAD
Hamburg won the reverse league fixture 3-1 at Erzgebirgs Stadium back in November, which has been the only league meeting between the teams so far.

FC St. Pauli - Arminia Bielefeld

St. Pauli to get back to winning ways

TEAM NEWS
St. Pauli's Philipp Ziereis, Luca-Milan Zander, Jan-Philipp Kalla, Dimitrios Diamantakos and Henk Veerman are all injured and will not be available for the rest of the season.

Bielefeld's Nils Quaschner, Sven Schipplock, Soren Brandy, Joan Simun Edmundsson and Christopher Nothe are sidelined.

St. Pauli
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Philipp Ziereis, Henk Veerman (both knee); Luca-Milan Zander (shoulder), Jan-Philipp Kala (ligaments), Dimitrios Diamantakos (pulled muscle)

Bielefeld
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Nils Quaschner, Sven Schipplock, Christopher Nothe, Soren Brandy (all knee); Joan Simun Edmundsson (pulled muscle)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN
St. Pauli have dropped down to sixth after losing 2-1 away at Holstein Kiel in the league last weekend, despite playing with one more man on the pitch for the entire second half and going into the break 1-0 up. Sitting in sixth and four points below the coveted playoff spot, the team will now be desperate for all three points this weekend. Overall, Markus Kauczinski’s men have been decent at home with only four other sides boasting more points in front of their own crowd. However, they have lost two, drawn one and won only one of their last four league matches on their own patch.

Bielefeld have improved drastically since mid-December, losing just three, drawing two and winning seven of their last 12 matches in the league. Since losing 5-1 to leaders Cologne last month, the side have won two and drawn one of their past three league matches, with their latest league outing a 2-1 home victory against Aue. Their upswing in fortunes has seen them move away from trouble, with Bielefeld now sitting in ninth place on 38 points.

St. Pauli have been in underwhelming form of late, but the club will be targeting all three points against average travellers Bielefeld at Millerntor. My money is going on a St. Pauli victory here.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN - ODD
St. Pauli’s last three victories in the league have been by one goal. Meanwhile Bielefeld’s last three league defeats against St. Pauli have also come by a one-goal margin. Therefore, back odd total goals to be scored in this one.

HEAD TO HEAD
Three of the last five league meetings have been won by St. Pauli with Bielefeld registering only one win during this time, along with one draw.

FC Ingolstadt 04 - Holstein Kiel

Relegation-threatend Ingolstadt to collect three much-needed points

TEAM NEWS
Ingolstadt's Joey Breitfeld, Tobias Schrock, Frederic Ananou and Lucas Galvao are all out through injury.

David Kinsombi continues to be sidelined at Holstein Kiel while Stefan Thesker and Johannes van den Bergh are both suspended.

Ingolstadt
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Joey Breitfeld (knee), Lucas Galvao (ankle), Tobias Schrock (thigh), Frederic Ananou (shoulder)

Holstein Kiel
Suspended: Stefan Thesker, Johannes van den Bergh
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: David Kinsombi (shin bone)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN
Having picked up a 4-2 league win in a relegation six-pointer with Duisburg in the league last time out, Ingolstadt still stay the bottom of the table, but just one point behind Duisburg. Nevertheless, at five points from safety and having spent the vast majority of the season in the drop zone, Ingolstadt look destined for relegation to the third tier. Since sealing a 2-1 win over Bochum two month ago, Ingolstadt have lost five and won only one of their last six league fixtures. Meanwhile, the Schanzer have the second worst home record in the division, picking up a woeful ten points from a possible 42.

Holstein Kiel moved into fifth thanks to a resounding 2-1 home league win over rivals St. Pauli last time out. Despite playing with a numerical disadvantage and going into the break one goal down, the Storks reversed the score in the second half and have responded well after their 4-0 thrashing by leaders Cologne two weeks ago. However, Holstein Kiel head to Audi Sportpark having lost their last two away league matches.

Ingolstadt need to get their act together quickly and build on last weekend’s victory. I think they will throw everything at this league game in an attempt to retain their second-division status. Back the Schanzer to claim a rare home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO - HIGH
There have been a staggering of ten total league goals in the last two meetings between the sides. Meanwhile, Ingolstadt have found the net four times in their last league outing while Holstein Kiel have one of the best attack in the division with 53 goals. I can see plenty of total goals here.

HEAD TO HEAD
The teams have met just three times over the last two years, with Holstein Kiel winning one and the other two ending in draws.

VfL Bochum - Greuther Fürth

Bochum to claim rare league win after poor 2019 so far

TEAM NEWS

Bochum's injury list consists of Jannik Bandowski, Danilo Teodoro Soares, Tom Baack, Maxim Leitsch, Sidney Sam, Sebastian Maier, Vitaly Janelt, Robbie Kruse, Simon Zoller and Baris Ekincier while Jan Gyamerah is suspended.

Greuther Furth's Yosuke Ideguchi, Maximilian Wittek and Tobias Mohr won't feature because of injury while Daniel Keita-Ruel is suspended.

Bochum
Suspended: Jan Gyamerah
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Jannik Bandowski, Danilo Teodoro Soares (both knee); Maxim Leitsch (pubis), Baris Ekincier (unspecified), Tom Baack (ill), Sidney Sam (thigh), Sebastian Maier (groin), Vitaly Janelt (adductor), Robbie Kruse (not fit), Simon Zoller (ligaments)

Greuther Furth
Suspended: Daniel Keita-Ruel
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Yosuke Ideguchi (knee), Tobias Mohr (meniscus), Maximilian Wittek (broken hand)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN
Bochum could really do with a victory, having won just two of their past ten league matches (two draws, six losses) in 2019. Since beating Heidenheim 1-0 at the Vonovia Stadium a month ago, they have picked up a mere one point from the last nine on offer in league action. Having lost 2-1 away at Jahn Regensburg last weekend, the pressure is starting to mount on coach Robin Dutt. Sitting in 11th place on 35 points, they are currently eight points above the drop zone.

Greuther Furth have been in good form of late, winning two and drawing two of their last four league fixtures, but Stefan Leitl’s men still find themselves in the bottom half of the table. Having collected 37 points so far, the Shamrock will most likely not go up or down this term. It is their away form which has prevented them from rising further up the table, having lost six, drawn two and won only one of their last nine away league matches. The side are coming off a 2-1 home league win against Darmstadt though.

After losing their last league outing, Bochum will be looking to get back to winning ways in front of their own supporters this weekend. It won’t be easy, but I fancy the hosts to take the three points in this one.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST HALF HAD - DRAW
Greuther Furth have been drawing 0-0 at half time in seven of their last eight league outings. I fancy this league match to be goalless at the break and predict a first-half draw.

HEAD TO HEAD
Bochum are unbeaten in their last four league meetings with Greuther Furth, winning one and drawing three.

SV Sandhausen - Dynamo Dresden

Dresden to return home with all three points

TEAM NEWS
Fabian Schleusener, Maximilian Jansen and Ken Gipson are the only injury absentees for Sandhausen while Karim Guede is not available either after his red card against Paderborn.

Dresden's Brian Hamalainen, Jannik Muller, Vasil Kusej and Marco Hartmann are sidelined.

Sandhausen
Suspended: Karim Guede
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Fabian Schleusener (broken foot), Maximilian Jansen (adductor), Ken Gipson (ill)

Dresden
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Brian Hamalainen (back), Jannik Muller (pulled muscle), Vasil Kusej (ligaments), Marco Hartmann (thigh)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN
If Sandhausen are to stay in Germany’s second division after this season, it will no doubt be due to their recent home form. Uwe Koschinat’s side have been decent at Hardtwald Stadium of late, losing only one of their last seven home league matches (two wins, four draws). They have also accumulated a respectable ten points from the last 12 on offer in league action, after winning just one of their previous 14 league games (six draws, seven losses).

Dresden picked up a decent point at home last time out as they held Union Berlin to a goalless draw. Since taking charge at Dresden, coach Christian Fiel is unbeaten in five league outings, winning one and drawing four. Prior to registering back-to-back goalless stalemates in their last two league contests, the side had beaten Aue 3-1 away from home in the league. However, Dresden have won just once away from home in the German second tier since late December, drawing one and losing three.

Both teams have been very solid in the past weeks, but Dresden have received a real boost under new boss Christian Fiel. Irrespective of Sandhausen’s good home form, I expect the visitors to grab the three points here.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN - EVEN
Nine of the last ten league meetings between Sandhausen and Dresden have finished with even total goals. Expect even total goals here, too.

HEAD TO HEAD
Both team have won two of their last four league encounters. Dresden were victorious in the most recent league meeting, which they won 3-1 at home in November.

FC Magdeburg - SV Darmstadt 98

Magdeburg to seal maximum points

TEAM NEWS
Magdeburg boss Michael Oenning will not be able to count on Christian Beck, who remains out injured.

Rouven Sattelmaier, Max Grun, Felix Platte, Slobodan Medojevic, Sebastian Hertner and Selim Gunduz remain on the sidelines at Darmstadt. Yannik Stark will miss due to suspension.

Magdeburg
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Christian Beck (cheekbone)

Darmstadt
Suspended: Yannik Stark
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Rouven Sattelmaier, Selim Gunduz (both knee); Max Grun (elbow), Felix Platte (ligaments), Slobodan Medojevic (foot), Sebastian Hertner (rib)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN
Magdeburg scored very late last week to surprise promotion-seeking Hamburg in a 2-1 league win away from home. A goal from Philip Turpitz gave the visitors the winner in the third minute of added time. The relegation-threatened side are undefeated in their last three league fixtures, although the other two have ended in draws. League wins have in fact been hard to come by for the east German club, with only two victories in their last eight league matches, along with four draws and two losses. Those results have not helped them to climb out of the drop zone as they remain in 16th, level on points with Sandhausen above them.

Darmstadt is one of teams in the German second division to win only two games away from home this season, with no other side winning fewer. The Lilies have been poor on their travels in league action, drawing three and losing nine times. They did however beat second-placed Hamburg in the league on the road three weeks ago. Dimitrios Grammozis’ men came from two goals down to earn an excellent 3-2 win then, but they returned to their usual losing ways in their most recent away league outing when they succumbed to an unlucky 2-1 defeat at Greuther Furth last weekend.

Based on Magdeburg’s solid form of late, I do believe this is a match they could win. Darmstadt have had a lot of problems away from home this season and I think they may lose here.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO - LOW
Magdeburg’s last seven home league matches have featured two total goals or fewer while the MDCC Arena has only seen 29 goals in total this season, with Magdeburg scoring 13 and conceding 16 in their 14 home league fixtures. I’m predicting this to be a low-scoring affair.

HEAD TO HEAD
Darmstadt won the reverse league fixture 3-1 at Bollenfalltor back in November, which has been the only league meeting between the teams.

SC Paderborn - MSV Duisburg

Paderborn too strong for struggling Duisburg

TEAM NEWS
At Paderborn, Leon Fesser and Leon Bruggemeier have been ruled out through injury.

Duisburg’s Christian Gartner, Borys Tashchy, Dustin Bomheuer and Sebastian Neumann remain sidelined.

Paderborn
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Leon Bruggemeier, Leon Fesser (both knee)

Duisburg
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Christian Gartner, Sebastian Neumann (both knee); Borys Tashchy (Achilles), Dustin Bomheuer (thigh)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN
Having taken seven points in the league from the last nine on offer, Paderborn are still in the race for the playoff place. The side picked up a 3-1 home league victory over bottom side Ingolstadt before beating third-placed Union Berlin by the same scoreline at Alte Forsterei and holding relegation-threatened Sandhausen to a lucky 1-1 draw last time out. They are currently in fourth with 45 points, three below the coveted playoff spot.

Duisburg failed to build on their four-match unbeaten run in the league last weekend as Torsten Lieberknecht’s men lost a relegation six-pointer against Ingolstadt 4-2 on home soil. The loss saw them leapfrogged by their opponents, but a hard-fought 4-4 home draw against leaders Cologne in midweek saw them claw back 17th place in the league table. That result was even more impressive given the fact that they were 4-2 down until the 71st minute.

Paderborn have been good at home this term, enjoying the third best home record in the league. Duisburg did play well against the table toppers in midweek, but I’m still backing the hosts to pick up another home victory this weekend.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE - PADERBORN
Paderborn have scored first in three of their last five league victories this year, I think they will break the deadlock again here.

HEAD TO HEAD
Paderborn have not beaten Duisburg in league action in the last eight years, losing seven and drawing one.

Erzgebirge Aue - FC Heidenheim

Aue and Heidenheim to play out draw

TEAM NEWS

Aue’s Steve Breitkreuz and Dennis Kempe have been ruled out while defender Malcolm Cacutalua is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

Robert Leipertz is Heidenheim’s only absentee due to injury.

Aue
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Steve Breitkreuz, Malcolm Cacutalua, Dennis Kempe (all knee)

Heidenheim
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Robert Leipertz (tendon)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Aue have found it tough going in the league of late, losing each of their last three, with their latest defeat arriving away from home against Bielefeld via a 2-1 scoreline last time out. However, the Viola had won two league matches in a row before their losing streak. Daniel Meyer’s side are now in 14th place, five points above the bottom three. While it is unlikely that they will be dragged into the drop zone they still have work to do with six league matches left to play.

Heidenheim have claimed only four away league wins all season (seven draws, three losses), with the last one of those clinched in mid-February at Darmstadt (2-1). Frank Schmidt’s men have been in average form of late, winning only one of their last seven league fixtures, along with three draws and three defeats. That run has seen them drop down the table, with the side now sitting in seventh, five points behind the promotion playoff spot. Heidenheim fell to a 2-0 home league defeat against leaders Cologne last weekend.

Neither Aue nor Heidenheim are in good form, so it could go either way in Erzgebirge. Because of that, I am putting my money on this to end in a draw.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO - LOW

Three of the last four league meetings between Aue and Heidenheim at Erzgebirgs Stadium have been low-scoring affairs(total goals two or fewer). I think that trend will continue, with two or fewer total goals expected.

HEAD TO HEAD

Heidenheim have won two, drawn one and lost one of their last four league meetings with Aue.

Union Berlin - Jahn Regensburg

Promotion-chasing Union Berlin to bounce back with home win

TEAM NEWS

Union Berlin coach Urs Fischer can choose from a fully fit squad.

Jahn Regensburg coach Achim Beierlorzer has all his players available, too.

Union Berlin
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: None

Jahn Regensburg
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: None

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Union Berlin have had a fine season so far as Urs Fischer’s men push for promotion. However, since registering back-to-back league victories at the beginning of March, the side have been struggling, losing to Heidenheim away (2-1) and to Paderborn at home (3-1) before drawing 0-0 away at Dresden in an East German derby last time out. Sitting in third and with a three-point lead over fourth-placed Paderborn, Union Berlin are still well and truly in the race for the promotion playoff place though.

Jahn Regensburg are one of the in-form teams in the league at the moment, winning three, drawing three and losing only one of their last seven league matches since their two consecutive league defeats back in early February. Last weekend, the team from Bavaria beat struggling Bochum 2-1 at Continental Arena for the first time. They are in the middle of the table having won ten, drawn 11 and lost seven league fixtures so far. However, Jahn Regensburg are the third best away team of the league, with only top sides Cologne and Hamburg boasting even better records.

After a winless run in their last three league fixtures, Union Berlin will be targeting all three points from this one, although they will have a challenge on their hands given Jahn Regensburg’s strong away record. The hosts are the best home team in the German second division though, and I fully expect them to secure the three points here. My money is going on the home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO - HIGH

Union Berlin have scored a respectable 43 goals in their 28 league matches so far while Jahn Regensburg have scored the joint highest amount of league goals (26) away from home. I can see this being a high-scoring affair.

HEAD TO HEAD

Union Berlin have won two and drawn three of their five most recent league meetings with Jahn Regensburg.

MSV Duisburg - 1.FC Köln

Convincing league win expected from visiting leaders

TEAM NEWS
Duisburg’s Christian Gartner, Borys Tashchy, Dustin Bomheuer and Sebastian Neumann remain sidelined.

Cologne's list of absentees consists of Niklas Hauptmann and Matthias Lehmann.

Duisburg
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Christian Gartner, Sebastian Neumann (both knee); Borys Tashchy (Achilles), Dustin Bomheuer (thigh)

Cologne
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Matthias Lehmann (Achilles), Niklas Hauptmann (knee)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN
Rooted to the bottom of the league table, Duisburg have an enormous amount of work ahead of them in their quest for survival this season. After a heavy 4-2 league defeat to fellow relegation candidates Ingolstadt on home soil at the weekend, Torsten Lieberknecht’s men are five points from safety. The Zebras have been woeful in front of their own fans this term where they boast the worst record in Germany's second division, picking up just three wins from 13 home league fixtures, along with ten losses.

Leaders Cologne are pushing for promotion, and they proved their title credentials once again at the weekend with a 2-0 win away at Heidenheim, clinching their sixth league victory in a row since losing to Paderborn 3-2 away from home at the middlle of February. Cologne have the best away record in the division, winning nine, drawing one and losing just three of their 13 away league matches. They are at the top of standings with six-point lead over Hamburg.

This is a vital league fixture for both teams. Cologne are looking to gain promotion back to the German top flight while Duisburg hope to avoid relegation to the third tier. However, this should be an easy win for the away team.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – COLOGNE
Cologne have scored the opening goal in seven of their last eight league outings. Back the visitors to score first in this one, too.

HEAD TO HEAD
Duisburg have won one and drawn two of the last three league meetings, with Cologne failing to beat them since a 3-1 league away win back in May 2007.

Hamburger SV - FC Magdeburg

Hamburg to get back on track on home soil

TEAM NEWS
Hamburg's Jairo Samperio, Hwang Hee chan, Aaron Hunt and Stephan Ambrosius are out.

Magdeburg boss Michael Oenning will not be able to count on Rico Preissinger and Christian Beck who remain out injured.

Hamburg
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Jairo Samperio, Stephan Ambrosius (both knee); Hwang Hee chan (tendon), Aaron Hunt (thigh)

Magdeburg
Suspended:
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Rico Preissinger (knee), Christian Beck (cheekbone)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN
Hamburg managed to secure only a 0-0 draw at Vonovia Stadium against mid-table side Bochum last weekend. Hannes Wolf’s boys have had a rough time of late, winning just two of their last six league matches (two draws, two defeats), a run which has seen them drop from first to second place. The side are now trailing leaders Cologne by three points. Since beating St. Pauli 4-0 in their local derby away from home last month, Hamburg have secured only a point from their last two league fixtures, but two goals from Pierre-Michel Lasogga were enough to give them a 2-0 win over Paderborn in the quarter-final of the German cup in midweek, taking them into the semi-final.

Lowly Magdeburg have not won a league game since a 3-1 victory away at Bielefeld in mid-February, losing two and drawing three of their last five games in the German second tier. After back-to-back defeats, Magdeburg have struck back with two league draws against Dresden away (1-1) and Heidenheim at home (0-0), but Michael Oenning’s team still find themselves in the bottom three. Sitting in 16th place, they are two points adrift of safety.

Hamburg will want to get back on track as soon as possible after losing a lot of ground to leaders Cologne over the past few weeks. This will not be an easy league game for the hosts given Magdeburg’s urgent situation, but they should just edge it.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE - HAMBURG
Hamburg have won seven times in the league at Volkspark Stadium this season, opening the scoring in six of those. Back the hosts to draw first blood in this clash.

HEAD TO HEAD
Hamburg won the reverse league fixture 1-0 at MDCC Arena back in October, which has been the only league meeting between the teams.

FC Heidenheim - 1.FC Köln

Cologne to snatch sixth league win in a row

TEAM NEWS
Heidenheim have a full squad to choose from. Robert Leipertz is the only absentee due to injury while Norman Theuerkauf is suspended.

Cologne's list of absentees consists of Niklas Hauptmann and Matthias Lehmann.

Heidenheim
Suspended: Norman Theuerkauf
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Robert Leipertz (tendon)

Cologne
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Matthias Lehmann (Achilles), Niklas Hauptmann (knee)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN
Heidenheim were held to a 0-0 league draw away from home by relegation-threatened Magdeburg last time out. After starting 2019 with one draw and two wins in league action, Heidenheim have been struggling of late, winning only one of the last six league fixtures along with three draws and two defeats. Those back-to-back defeats against Jahn Regensburg at home (2-1) and Bochum away (1-0) have hindered Heidenheim’s playoff hopes, but all is not lost with the side still sitting only four points behind third-placed Union Berlin in sixth place. The team lost 5-4 away at ten-man top-flight team Bayern Munich in the quarter-final of the German cup, leading at the break 2-1. As a result, they have exited the competition.

Cologne are flying high in Germany’s second division and are sitting at the top of the standings after beating Holstein Kiel 4-0 at home in league action last weekend. Since losing 3-2 to Paderborn away from home, Cologne are on a five-match winning run, scoring nine times in their last two league victories alone. In addition, Markus Anfang’s side have the second best away record in the league, winning eight, drawing one and losing just three of their 12 away league matches, whilst boasting the joint best defence on the road with only 13 goals conceded.

With leaders Cologne having their eyes firmly set on automatic promotion to the German top flight, they will be targeting all three points from their weekend trip to Voith Arena. My money is on the away win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO - HIGH
Cologne have found the net 68 times in the league this term while Heidenheim have netted a respectable 40 goals in their 27 league matches. I can see plenty of total goals in this one here.

HEAD TO HEAD
There has only been one league meeting between the pair in the second tier. Back in October the reverse league match finished 1-1 at Rhein Energie Stadium.

Greuther Fürth - SV Darmstadt 98

Greuther Furth to secure home league win over Darmstadt

TEAM NEWS
Greuther Furth's Yosuke Ideguchi, Maximilian Wittek and Tobias Mohr won't feature because of injury.

Rouven Sattelmaier, Max Grun, Felix Platte, Slobodan Medojevic, Sebastian Hertner and Selim Gunduz remain on the sidelines at Darmstadt.

Greuther Furth
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Yosuke Ideguchi (knee), Tobias Mohr (meniscus), Maximilian Wittek (broken hand)

Darmstadt
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Rouven Sattelmaier, Selim Gunduz (both knee); Max Grun (elbow), Felix Platte (ligaments), Slobodan Medojevic (foot), Sebastian Hertner (rib)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN
Greuther Furth were involved in a four-goal thriller in the league last weekend. Despite being 2-0 up at the break, they eventually had to settled for a 2-2 draw with Bielefeld at Sportpark Ronhof. They followed that up with a 0-0 home draw against fellow bottom-half side Dresden in midweek. The side have lost only once in their last six league matches, losing once and drawing four times.

Dimitrios Grammozis has made a solid start at Bollenfalltor, taking seven points from his first four league games in charge of Darmstadt (two wins, one draw, one loss). Before drawing 1-1 with Jahn Regensburg at home last weekend, Darmstadt had seen off Holstein Kiel at home and Hamburg at Volkspark Stadium (both 3-2). The Lilies have lost only one of their last six fixtures in the league (three wins, two draws), but they have the joint worst away record in the league.

Greuther Furth have been in decent shape over the past couple of months under new boss Stefan Leitl while Darmstadt are one of the weakest travelers in the German second division. With that in mind, my money is going on a vital win for the Shamrock.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO - LOW
Greuther Furth have scored only 18 league goals at home this term while Darmstadt have notched only 16 away from home in league action. Back this to be a low-scoring affair.

HEAD TO HEAD
Greuther Furth have won only one of the last five league meetings, losing two and drawing two. 

Dynamo Dresden - Union Berlin

Promotion hopefuls Union Berlin to book important away league win 

TEAM NEWS
Dresden's Brian Hamalainen, Patrick Ebert, Vasil Kusej and Marco Hartmann are sidelined.

Urs Fischer coach Union Berlin can choose from a fully fit squad.

Dresden
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Brian Hamalainen (back), Patrick Ebert (pulled muscle), Vasil Kusej (ligaments), Marco Hartmann (thigh)

Union Berlin
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: None

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN 
Dresden travelled to Greuther Furth for a rearranged league fixture in midweek where they drew 0-0. The side had been unbeaten in their four league matches - a very good start for new coach Christian Fiel at the east German club, having drawn with both Bochum and Magdeburg at home before beating Aue 3-1 away in round 27. The team have managed to remain unbeaten for four league fixtures only twice so far in the campaign. Worryingly, they have been winless on their own patch since mid-November, having drawn three and lost two of their last five home league contests.

Union Berlin were beaten for the first time in league action at Alte Forsterei this term last weekend as they fell to a 3-1 loss against Paderborn. It was their second league loss in a row having registered a 2-1 reverse away at Heidenheim before the international break. However, Union Berlin are still in an excellent position when it comes to the promotion race. They are sitting third on 47 points, three points above fourth- and fifth-placed Paderborn and St. Pauli.

Dresden’s recent league results may have been more positive than Union Berlin’s, but the visitors have a lot more at stake here as they continue to challenge for promotion. Union Berlin will also be more rested than the hosts, given that they didn’t have a midweek fixture to focus on. I can see the visitors edge this league game.

SECOND PREDICTION: CORRECT SCORE – 0-1
Union Berlin have kept clean sheets in five of their last six league wins. Two of the last three league meetings between them and Dresden have finished 1-0, and I would not be surprised to see a similar outcome here. I’m backing a 1-0 win for the away side.

HEAD TO HEAD
Four of the last six league meetings have been draws, with each side registering one away win, too. 

SV Sandhausen - SC Paderborn

Paderborn to return home with all three points

TEAM NEWS
Alexander Rossipal, Fabian Schleusener, Maximilian Jansen and Nejmeddin Daghfous are the only injury absentees for Sandhausen.

At Paderborn, Leon Fesser and Leon Bruggemeier have been ruled out through injury.

Sandhausen
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Alexander Rossipal (ankle), Nejmeddin Daghfous (knee), Fabian Schleusener (broken foot), Maximilian Jansen (adductor)

Paderborn
Suspended:
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Leon Bruggemeier, Leon Fesser (both knee)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN
Sandhausen continued their climb up the league table with another win at the weekend, as Andrew Wooten’s late goal in stoppage time was enough to give the in-form team a 2-1 triumph at bottom side Ingolstadt. That was Sandhausen’s third straight victory in league action, with the club increasing their tally to 26 points from 27 league games. Their campaign may have been disappointing overall, but thanks to their current winning streak they have moved out of the drop zone and now enjoy a four-point lead over the bottom two, who will be automatically relegated.

Having gone three league games without a win (one draw, two losses), Paderborn have recorded back-to-back league wins. The side beat relegation candidates Ingolstadt 3-1 at home prior to the international break, before repeating that scoreline in another league victory away at Union Berlin last weekend. Paderborn are hot on the heels of third-placed Union Berlin and are currently sitting in fourth on 44 points. However, they were beaten 2-0 by Hamburg in the quarter-final of the German cup in midweek, exiting the competition.

With both teams in tip-top shape and coming off an impressive win, this could be a close affair at Hardtwald Stadium. However, I am backing Paderborn to keep up their fine form with another victory away from home this weekend.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO - HIGH
These two were involved in an enthralling matchup at Benteler Arena earlier in the season, with Paderborn and Sandhausen playing out a 3-3 league draw. All of Paderborn’s last three league matches have featured at least three total goals too, as have four of Sandhausen’s last five. I can see this being another high-scoring affair.

HEAD TO HEAD
Sandhausen have won three, drawn one and lost two of their last six league meetings with Paderborn. 

Holstein Kiel - FC St. Pauli

St. Pauli to return to winning ways

TEAM NEWS
David Kinsombi continues to be sidelined while Kingsley Schindler is still working on his comeback at Holstein Kiel.

St. Pauli's Philipp Ziereis, Luca-Milan Zander, Jan-Philipp Kalla and Henk Veerman are all injured and will not be available for the rest of the season.

Holstein Kiel
Suspended:
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: David Kinsombi (shin bone), Kingsley Schindler (match fitness)

St. Pauli
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Philipp Ziereis, Henk Veerman (both knee); Luca-Milan Zander (shoulder), Jan-Philipp Kala (ligaments)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN
Holstein Kiel fell to yet another damaging league defeat last weekend as Tim Walter’s side were beaten 4-0 away from home by leaders Cologne. That loss was the Storks’ third such result in the last four league matches, having won only one along the way. Holstein Kiel are five points adrift of the playoff spot in seventh with just seven league games to go.

St. Pauli failed to win for the third time in a row last time out, drawing 0-0 at home with strugglers Duisburg in the league. The side have now picked up just two victories in league action since the start of February, drawing one and losing four in the process. Despite those poor recent results, they are in the race for a top three spot, with only three points separating them from third-placed Union Berlin.

With both teams looking for a win, this promises to be an intriguing league fixture at Holstein Stadium. However, St. Pauli are the fourth best away side in the German division and I can see them bouncing back here. I’m backing the away side to win this one.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN - ODD
All of St. Pauli’s last three league wins have come by a one-goal margin. A single goal could also be enough to settle this league contest between two evenly matched rivals, who are separated by only two points in the league standings. My money is going on odd total goals at Holstein Stadium.

HEAD TO HEAD
All of the last three league encounters have been decided by one goal, with St. Pauli winning twice while the other one was won by Holstein Kiel.