FC Ingolstadt - Eintr. Braunschweig

Home win for Ingolstadt likely against Torsten Lieberknecht’s Braunschweig

TEAM NEWS

Ingolstadt have a full squad available.

Braunschweig’s key striker Domi Kumbela is out injured while Mirko Boland and Joseph Baffo have suffered knee injuries and are unavailable.

Ingolstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: None

Braunschweig

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Mirko Boland, Joseph Baffo (both knee); Domi Kumbela (unspecified)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Ingolstadt really seem to have found their form recently, with a 0-0 draw away at leaders Holstein Kiel in round 15 another welcome result. Stefan Leitl’s men have suffered only one defeat in their last ten 2. Bundesliga games, while they have also won their last three home matches. Sonny Kittel has picked up seven goals and four assists and has played an important part in the last eight games for them so far. Goals haven’t been a problem for the team as in their last four games alone they have scored six, while overall they have amassed 24 strikes.

Braunschweig are coming off a disappointing home game against Nurnberg in which they were unable to hold a 2-1 lead. They now have to travel south to Ingolstadt, having failed to win their last eight games on their travels, while they have also conceded at least one in seven of them. Braunschweig have also only picked up just three wins in 15 league matches. A more positive aspect of the statistics for them is however that they have lost only one of the last six – creating chances doesn’t seem to be a problem for them, but it is what they do with those shots on target that counts.

Ingolstadt are on fire and they should continue to be dominant at home. Home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: CORRECT SCORE – 2-1

Ingolstadt’s impressive goalscoring form should be enough to hand them another home win. They average two in their last five home games while Braunschweig have scored exactly one in four of their last six away matches. The hosts should win this match 2-1.

HEAD TO HEAD

Ingolstadt won their previous home match against Braunschweig by a 1-0 scoreline in October 2014.

MSV Duisburg - Greuther Fürth

Another draw seems likely

TEAM NEWS

Zlatko Janjic, Andreas Wiegel and Pierre de Wit are still on Duisburg’s list of absentees, but there are no fresh injury worries for coach Ilija Gruev.

Greuther Furth won’t have Mathis Bolly, Nik Omladic, Balazs Megyeri and Sercan Sararer available for this encounter.

Duisburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Zlatko Janjic (knee); Pierre de Wit, Andreas Wiegel (both unspecified)

Greuther Furth

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Mathis Bolly (muscle), Sercan Sararer (unspecified), Nik Omladic (foot), Balazs Megyeri (shoulder)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Duisburg’s unbeaten run came to an unexpected end last Saturday as they were beaten convincingly 4-0 by a very motivated Regensburg side. The team struggled to find the same goalscoring form as in their last five matches and were clearly overrun. Coach Ilja Gruev will have been surprised by his men’s horrible performance and will have been looking for solutions in training during the week. He will have to ensure that Duisburg don’t give too much space to their opponents here and return to their normal compact play quickly.

Greuther Furth produced a dominant home performance against St. Pauli last time out. It was a game in which they scored four goals for the first time in a league match this season as it finished 4-0. This important victory puts them in 17^th place, three points from safety. With four wins, two draws and nine defeats their season has not been the best by any means and the reason for this might be their disappointing performances away from home where they have only been able to claim two draws. However, their comfortable win last weekend should give them a boost here.

Although Greuther Furth have not won on the road this term, they should at least be able to claim a point in an important game for both teams.

SECOND PREDICTION: CORRECT SCORE – 1-1

Four of the last seven encounters between these two teams have seen exactly two goals, with two of those matches ending 1-1. Given both teams’ current average form, I predict the same outcome again.

HEAD TO HEAD

Duisburg’s all-time home record against Greuther Furth consists of five wins, five draws and two defeats at home in the 2. Bundesliga. Greuther Furth’s last away victory dates back to March 2012 when they beat Duisburg 2-0.

Holstein Kiel - Fortuna Düsseldorf

Clash between 2. Bundesliga’s top 2 clubs

TEAM NEWS

Holstein Kiel will have to do without the long-term injured Christopher Lenz and Manuel Janzer.

Dusseldorf will be without first ‘keeper Michael Rensing again as he has broken his ribs, but the club have no further injury concerns. Furthermore, they have to find replacements for Florian Neuhaus, who is suspended.

Holstein Kiel

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Christopher Lenz (adductor), Manuel Janzer (Achilles)

Dusseldorf

Suspended: Florian Neuhaus

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Michael Rensing (broken rib)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Holstein Kiel were lucky to save a point against in-from Ingolstadt during their 0-0 home draw last Saturday. They were poor and almost ended up with their third defeat of the season which would have put them back into second place. The clash with Dusseldorf this weekend is the next big match for them and it will be the perfect opportunity for them to increase their lead. However, Kiel are starting to look a bit tired and it will be hard for Markus Anfang’s men to continue with the same great attacking approach as at the beginning of the campaign.

Dusseldorf were clearly overrun within ten minutes last weekend, as they lost 3-1 against Dresden in front of their own fans. It was their second defeat in a row and meant that they missed once again a perfect chance to move back to the top of the 2.Bundesliga standings. Since their exit from the cup when losing 1-0 against Monchengladbach in October, they are on a four-match winless run, but with a win against Kiel they could turn things around. This is may be a game they can win, but they will need to find back to their attacking best and be as compact in defensive as they can.

This game is hard to predict, but I feel that Dusseldorf can get a result here and end their losing run.

SECOND PREDICTION: TOTAL GOALS – THREE

Unsurprisingly, given their league positions, both teams have been scoring regularly, with Holstein Kiel hitting the back of the net 34 times and Dusseldorf 24 times this season. Three of Holstein Kiel’s last four home games have seen three goals in total while two of Dusseldorf’s last three away wins have been secured by a 2-1 scoreline. I predict another three goals here.

HEAD TO HEAD

These two will meet for the first time in the 2. Bundesliga.

1.FC Nürnberg - SV Sandhausen

Nurnberg to close gap on top two

TEAM NEWS

Nurnberg’s key players Adam Zrelak, Enis Alushi and Sebastian Kerk will miss out with long-term injuries while Dennis Lippert is out with a knee problem, but he does not play an essential role at the club.

Sandhausen will be without Mirco Born, Rick Wulle, Damian Rossbach, Andrew Wooten, Stefan Kulovits, Robert Herrmann and Korbinian Vollmann, who are all injury concerns.

Nurnberg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Sebastian Kerk (hamstring); Enis Alushi, Dennis Lippert (both knee); Adam Zrelak (broken foot)

Sandhausen

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Mirco Born, Rick Wulle (both knee); Korbinian Vollmann, Robert Herrmann (both unspecified); Damian Rossbach (head), Andrew Wooten (pulled muscle), Stefan Kulovits (arm)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Nurnberg are coming off an important win against Braunschweig on the road – a place where they had not won since 1968. As a result, Michael Kollner’s men are finding themselves in a very good position again  and they were able to leapfrog Union Berlin despite not having had the best run lately. The match against Sandhausen, who are in bad shape at the moment should be a good opportunity for them to secure third place.

Sandhausen have one win from six league games and a journey to Nurnberg will prove a tough test of their credentials. They remain in seventh despite that poor run, which is in large part down to a good unbeaten streak earlier in the campaign. They also have the best defensive line in the 2. Bundesliga – with only 15 goals conceded. There are goals in this team as well as creative players and that will give the away side hope. Above all, the last win against Darmstadt was two weeks ago.

Nurnberg’s latest win should give them a boost for the match against Sandhausen and they should be able to secure third place and close the gap on the top two with a win.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – NURNBERG

Nurnberg should get off the mark first as they did in two of their three home games against Sandhausen. Nurnberg have a +3 goal difference from their eight matches played at their own stadium and I think they will start fast again and score the opener.

HEAD TO HEAD

Nurnberg have won the two of their last three meetings at home against Sandhausen with a 2-0 scoreline but they lost the last one 3-1 in December 2016.

Arminia Bielefeld - FC St. Pauli

Bielefeld to claim back-to-back wins

TEAM NEWS

Bielefeld’s Christopher Nothe will be out with a knee problem while Baboucarr Gaye is set to miss this game with a finger injury.

St. Pauli will be without the long-term injured Ryo Miyaichi, Marc Hornschuh and Philipp Ziereis as well as the suspended Bernd Nehrig and Svend Brodersen.

Bielefeld

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Christopher Nothe (knee), Baboucarr Gaye (finger)

St. Pauli

Suspended: Bernd Nehrig, Svend Brodersen

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Ryo Miyaichi (knee), Philipp Ziereis (muscle), Marc Hornschuh (back)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Having secured five points in the last three matches, Bielefeld remain unbeaten since the beginning of November. They beat bottom side Kaiserslautern in a narrow game 2-0 last time out, and it was a deserved result against harmless opponents despite the fact they had to be patient when it came to getting on the scoreboard. However, this game could be different as the team will expect to be able to produce counter-attacks with much more space available.

St. Pauli suffered a crushing 4-0 loss away at Greuther Furth in their most recent match, in what was their second defeat by that scoreline this season. That result left the Hamburg side with just four draws and two defeats in six 2. Bundesliga games. Their top scorer is Christopher Buchtmann and he has not had the best time lately either. The team now sit in eighth position in the table and have a poor -7 goal difference. They have had more success on their travels this season and this will be a game where they will be looking to secure away win number five.

Bielefeld should take advantage in front of their own fans as they are in better form – I predict a home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: TOTAL GOALS – TWO 

Meetings between these teams don’t tend to feature many goals, with just two of the last eight games across all competitions ending with more than two. In fact, their last five encounters average 1.80 in league action. I expect another low-scoring match here with exactly two goals scored.

HEAD TO HEAD

Bielefeld’s last three home matches against St. Pauli in the league have all ended level, with one of them finishing goalless.

FC Heidenheim - 1.FC Kaiserslautern

Heidenheim to continue their unbeaten run

TEAM NEWS

Heidenheim will be without the injured Marnon Busch but have a full squad available.

Kaiserslautern have three players on their injury list as Kacper Przybylko, Osayamen Osawe and Mads Albaek are all absent. In addition, Patrick Salata will be suspended.

Heidenheim

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Marnon Busch (unspecified)

Kaiserslautern

Suspended: Patrick Salata

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Kacper Przybylko (foot), Mads Albaek (pubis), Osayamen Osawe (toe)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Heidenheim managed to register their second win in a row when beating Sandhausen 2-1 away from home. Robert Glatzel and John Verhoek both scored as the team came from behind after conceding the opening goal in the first half. With three wins and one draw in their last four games, they have strengthened their position and have found a way out of relegation zone of the 2. Bundesliga. Heidenheim are on a good way and are close to finding back to their form from last season.

After winning their last game on the road with a bit of luck, bottom team Kaiserslautern were dealt another setback when suffering a 2-0 defeat at home against Bielefeld last Sunday. They didn’t threaten at all in that game and only had 47% ball possession, with one shot on target. Jeff Strasser’s men have now lost three of their last five league games in the 2. Bundesliga and this may be another tricky game for them, given Heidenheim’s improving form. Kaiserslautern, meanwhile, seem doomed for relegation this season.

I can see no end to Kaiserslautern’s current bad run and even a visit to 14^th placed Heidenheim looks beyond them while the best they can hope for is to escape with a draw. I think the hosts will grab the three points though.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – HEIDENHEIM

Kaiserslautern have been the first team to concede in all their last eight road games while Heidenheim have scored first in their last three home games. They should be the first to find the net here again.

HEAD TO HEAD

Heidenheim have played only three times at home against Kaiserslautern in the 2. Bundesliga and remain unbeaten with two wins and one draw.

Holstein Kiel - FC Ingolstadt 04

Top clash in 2. Bundesliga

TEAM NEWS

Holstein Kiel will have to do without the long-term injured Christopher Lenz and Manuel Janzer.

Ingolstadt have a full squad available.

Holstein Kiel

Suspended:

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Christopher Lenz (adductor), Manuel Janzer (Achilles)

Ingolstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: None

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Holstein Kiel’s excellent run continues. The team were 2-0 down at Nurnberg last Saturday but managed a great comeback with a very late goal to level the game and keep their seven-match unbeaten run alive. The team found their way back into the game with great morale and team spirit. As a reward, they are now leading the table on 30 points. This is an amazing success for the newly promoted club, but it will be hard for them to defend this position in the upcoming weeks as second-placed Dusseldorf have the same points tally and Union Berlin are trailing by only five points. This match will be the next big test for Holstein, although they have nothing to lose as one of the smallest clubs in the 2. Bundesliga.

Ingolstadt managed to register their fourth league win in a row when beating then-leaders Dusseldorf 1-0 at home. It was an even game during which Alfredo Morales scored the winning goal shortly before the half time. Ingolstadt remain fifth in the 2. Bundesliga, while they have a goal difference of +8. Their latest win aside, they have scored at least two goals in each of the previous five league matches. If they can beat Holstein Kiel then Ingolstadt should be able to close the gap to the top three and return to the battle for promotion.

Both teams are absolutely in-form and I expect a big fight between them. I think we will see a very close game which Ingolstadt will win in the end.

SECOND PREDICTION: TOTAL GOALS – FOUR

I expect goals for both teams and it is just a case of how many. Holstein Kiel and Ingolstadt were free-scoring in the last matches – therefore both need to be at their very best defensively in order to keep the goal count down. Three of Ingolstadt’s last five away games have seen exactly four goals in total and with Holstein Kiel’s matches averaging 3.71 this term, I think another four goals are on the cards here.

HEAD TO HEAD

These two will meet for the first time in the 2. Bundesliga.

Einer. Braunschweig - 1.FC Nürnberg

Hosts set to claim win number 11 against Nurnberg

TEAM NEWS

Braunschweig’s key striker Domi Kumbela is out injured while Mirko Boland and Joseph Baffo have suffered knee injuries and are unavailable.

Nurnberg’s key players Adam Zrelak, Enis Alushi and Sebastian Kerk will miss out with long-term injuries while Dennis Lippert is out with a knee problem, but he does not play an essential role at the club.

Braunschweig

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Mirko Boland, Joseph Baffo (both knee); Domi Kumbela (unspecified)

Nurnberg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Sebastian Kerk (hamstring); Enis Alushi, Dennis Lippert (both knee); Adam Zrelak (broken foot)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Braunschweig produced an average performance last time out on the road as they were unable to beat struggling Bielefeld in a 2-2 draw. They took the lead after falling 1-0 behind in the seventh minute but produced too many mistakes towards the end of the game and conceded a late equaliser in the 90^th minute. The draw means that they are unbeaten in the last five league matches, but in that time they have won only once. In fact, although the team have lost just twice this season, their nine draws in 14 games mean that they have lost considerable ground on the clubs at the top. Braunschweig will need to start to convert those draws into wins soon in order to be in with a chance of closing the gap.

Nurnberg produced another disappointing performance last time out in front of their own fans as they were unable to beat Holstein Kiel despite leading 2-0 until the 71^st minute. The draw ended their negative run of two consecutive defeats, but they will need to work on their defence as they have conceded in all of their last 12 games. It will be important for the team to hit the ground running here as their latest results against these opponents were not the best (one draw and two defeats) whilst the outcome of this game is also likely to have an impact on their involvement in the promotion battle.

Braunschweig tend to do well against Nurnberg in front of their own fans and given Nurnberg’s  current slump, it would be a surprise if the hosts can’t clinch a win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST HALF HAD – BRAUNSCHWEIG

Braunschweig should get off the mark early as they did in their last three home games against Nurnberg, winning at half time. They have a +8 goal difference from the last four games played at their own stadium and I think they will lead at the break here too.

HEAD TO HEAD

Braunschweig’s all-time home record against Nurnberg consists of ten wins, two draws and two defeats. Nurnberg’s last away victory dates back to October 1968 when they beat Braunschweig 2-0 in their stadium.

Jahn Regensburg - MSV Duisburg

Both newly promoted teams aiming for the next win

TEAM NEWS

Regensburg will not have Oliver Hein and Joshua Mees at their disposal.

Zlatko Janjic, Andreas Wiegel and Pierre de Wit are still on Duisburg’s list of absentees, but there are no fresh injury worries for coach Ilija Gruev, although Lucas Frode is out suspended.

Regensburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Oliver Hein (knee), Joshua Mees (pulled muscle)

Duisburg

Suspended: Lukas Frode

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Zlatko Janjic (knee); Pierre de Wit, Andreas Wiegel (both unspecified)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Regensburg were unlucky in their last league outing as they were up 2-0 against St. Pauli on the road but managed only a 2-2 draw. Their defensive work wasn’t up to scratch, but overall the team performed well. Regensburg have now conceded in all 14 league matches this season and the fact that they are not able to keep a clean sheet will be a concern. However, the side have been on a great run in their last three games, winning two and drawing one, and coach Achim Beierlorzer will hope that his team can maintain this form in a bid to stay away from the drop zone.

Duisburg are coming off an incredible 3-0 home win over Aue. They outplayed their opponents and registered one of the best performances so far this season, with the team now sitting in eighth place on 19 points. Coach Ilja Gruev was very pleased with his men, but stressed that this was only one step forward with a lot more steps necessary to confirm their place in the 2. Bundesliga. Following a poor start to the campaign with only two wins in the opening nine matches, Duisburg are now unbeaten in the last five.

Both teams are on a great run and it will be a tough game. I believe in Regensburg’s home advantage as they made it count in their last two home games, winning both. I think we will see another home victory.

SECOND PREDICTION: TOTAL GOALS – THREE

Regensburg and Duisburg have both seen an average of nearly three total goals in their league games so far and a bet on this number seems a good bet as I expect both teams to find the net here.

HEAD TO HEAD

Regensburg have hosted Duisburg only twice in the 2. Bundesliga, winning the latest match 2-0 in 2012 but losing the game before that 5-0 in 2004.

Dynamo Dresden - 1.FC Kaiserslautern

Dresden to claim win against bottom side Kaiserslautern

TEAM NEWS

Dresden are still without the long-term injured Pascal Testroet, Aias Aosman and Marco Hartmann while Soren Gonther has problems with his Achilles tendon and will miss out again. Furthermore, the team are without Philipp Heise due to suspension.

Kaiserslautern have four players on their injury list as Kacper Przybylko, Daniel Halfar, Osayamen Osawe and Mads Albaek are all absent.

Dresden

Suspended: Philip Heise

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Pascal Testroet (knee), Soren Gonther (Achilles); Marco Hartmann, Aias Aosman (both pulled muscle)

Kaiserslautern

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Kacper Przybylko (foot), Mads Albaek (pubis), Osayamen Osawe (toe), Daniel Halfar (unspecified)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Dresden were completely outplayed by Holstein Kiel in their last road game two weeks ago. Their 3-0 defeat left the team frustrated, especially as they had been in good form away from home until early October, but their latest results – a winless run of four games – put them in a difficult situation. Coach Uwe Neuhaus was not pleased with the team last time out and he can’t get away from the fact that they have to invest much more over the upcoming weeks if they do not want to get involved in the relegation battle. As it stands, they are only two points from safety and need every point they can get.

Kaiserslautern managed to arrest their negative run of two defeats in their last home game against Bochum. The 0-0 draw didn’t change the fact that they are still rooted to the bottom of the table, but nevertheless, the team still showed great team spirit. They will now try and build on that result, but given the fact that they have only claimed one win so far this season and are the lowest scorers by far with just eight goals, it is difficult to see them winning here, even though their opponents reside only three places above them.

Dresden are facing harmless opposition and if they can score in this encounter then I am sure they will win. Home victory.

SECOND PREDICTION: HALF TIME HAD – DRAW

With both teams unable to claim any wins in their last four games, they will have to improve considerably, but both have been nervous at the beginning of their games and have mainly been focusing on safety in the first half. In fact, Dresden have scored just twice before the break in their last four matches while Kaiserslautern have managed only one first-half goal during that time. A draw therefore seems a good choice at half time.

HEAD TO HEAD

Dresden have lost only three of their last seven league matches against Kaiserslautern at home.

MSV Duisburg - Erzgebirge Aue

Duisburg to continue with their unbeaten run

TEAM NEWS

Zlatko Janjic and Pierre de Wit are still on Duisburg’s list of absentees, but there are no fresh injury worries for Ilija Gruev.

Aue are without long-term absentee Nicky Adler while Dimitrij Nazarov saw a red card against Regensburg three weeks ago and is suspended for another game.

Duisburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Zlatko Janjic (knee), Pierre de Wit (unspecified)

Aue

Suspended: Dimitrij Nazarov

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nicky Adler (adductor)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Duisburg produced one of the surprise results of the week on the road against Sandhausen in round 13. They put up a 4-4-2 formation and did well to frustrate their opponents, claiming a 1-0 win. Ilija Gruew’s men had been in good form before that win, with one victory and two draws. They now sit in 12^th in the table and have a disappointing goal difference of -4. However, their recent unbeaten streak has allowed them to move away from the relegation places and they are bound to be full of confidence.

Following their 1-1 draw at home against Bielefeld last timeout, Aue only have one win from five league games and a journey to Duisburg will prove a tough test of their credentials. They remain in seventh despite that poor run which is in large part down to a good unbeaten streak earlier in the campaign. However, they are not the best travellers with two wins, two draws and two defeats even though there is a lot of potential in the squad. 

I believe Duisburg are capable of taking the victory here and with their impressive form of late, it seems difficult to look beyond them. Home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – DUISBURG  

Duisburg should get off the mark early in this game as they did in two of the last three matches against Aue, scoring the first goal in both. The team have also scored the opener in two of their last three league matches and this will most likely continue here.  I think they will net the first goal.

HEAD TO HEAD

Duisburg are unbeaten in the last six home matches against Aue, winning the last four and drawing two.

FC Ingolstadt 04 - Fortuna Düsseldorf

Top clash between two hot teams

TEAM NEWS

Ingolstadt have a full squad available.

Dusseldorf will be without first ‘keeper Michael Rensing again as he has broken his ribs, but the club have no further injury concerns. Furthermore, they have to find replacements for Kaan Ayhan and Florian Neuhaus, who are both suspended.

Ingolstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: None

Dusseldorf

Suspended: Kaan Ayhan, Florian Neuhaus

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Michael Rensing (broken rib)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Ingolstadt were lucky enough to find the winning goal against fourth placed Nurnberg during their 2-1 win on Monday two weeks ago. They were level with the home side until the 81^st minute and almost registered their third draw this season but managed to score the winner through a penalty. The team are continuing to edge closer to the top three because after a very weak start to the campaign and they are trailing Union Berlin by only five points. Their recent impressive run of four wins and a draw has put them into a much better situation and they will now firmly believe that they can enter the race for promotion by the end of the year.

Leaders Dusseldorf are travelling to Ingolstadt on a seven-match unbeaten run. Having clinched five wins and two draws, they were on great form before the international break and a win here could allow them to extend their lead over Holstein Kiel. This puts them in a very comfortable situation and with only one defeat so far they do have the momentum. However, this match is likely to be a tough test for them and both of their last matches were disappointing draws against teams in the bottom five.

The fact that Ingolstadt were winning before the break whereas Dusseldorf only managed draws against lowly opponents makes me believe that the hosts could grab a narrow win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: TOTAL GOALS – THREE

Ingolstadt have been scoring a fair amount of goals of late, registering 13 in the last five, and although they are welcoming leaders Dusseldorf, there is no reason why this could not continue. The visitors are capable in attack and should be able to find the net too, having scored in all but one of their league matches this season. With three of Ingolstadt’s last five matches seeing exactly three total goals and Dusseldorf’s last five averaging over two in total, another three goals seem likely here.

HEAD TO HEAD

These two teams have met four times at Ingolstadt in the 2. Bundesliga, with the hosts winning two, registering one draw and suffering one defeat.