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.