Union Berlin - FC Ingolstadt 04

Two struggling teams searching for their form

TEAM NEWS

Union Berlin are missing Kenny Prince Redondo, Michael Parensen and Fabian Schonheim due to injury.

Ingolstadt have a full squad available, Coach Stefan Leitl miss only defender Romain Bregerie injured.

Union Berlin

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Fabian Schonheim, Kenny Prince Redondo (both knee); Michael Parensen (calf)

Ingolstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Romain Bregerie (calf)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Coach Andre Hofschneider had a miserable debut at Union Berlin last weekend. His men lost the derby against Dresden 1-0, but despite being on a four-match winless run they are still fourth. The new man in charge already finds himself under pressure and following their latest results, he will need to line up a compact XI who will fight from the beginning to secure a good result against promotion rivals Ingolstadt.

Ingolstadt were lucky enough to find a single goal against bottom-of-the-table Kaiserslautern during their 1-1 away draw last Sunday. Although they were the better side and had more than 60% ball possession they almost ended up with their seventh defeat of the season, which would have put them nine points behind third place. The match against Union Berlin is a very important one and it would be a good opportunity for them to move closer to the top before the winter break.

Neither team have been on their best of form recently and a lot speaks for a draws here. Three of their latest four meetings have also shown the same outcome, so I’ll predict this to end all square.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – INGOLSTADT

Union Berlin have been the first team to concede in all of their last five home matches against Ingolstadt. I think this trend is likely to continue and they should be the first to concede again.

HEAD TO HEAD

Union Berlin have hosted Ingolstadt five times in the 2. Bundesliga over the course of the past seven years, winning once and drawing four times.

Greuther Fürth - FC Heidenheim

Heidenheim to continue their winning streak against Furth

TEAM NEWS

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

Heidenheim will be without the injured Marnon Busch and Sebastian Griesbeck but have an otherwise full squad available.

Greuther Furth

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

Heidenheim

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Marnon Busch, Sebastian Griebeck (both unspecified)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Greuther Furth lost 2-0 on the road against Duisburg last Saturday and have still only claimed two points away this term, but at home they are a totally different prospect. Not only have they won their last three consecutive home games and four of their last five, but 12 of their 14 points this season have also arrived from home. It will at least give them some confidence when comes to avoiding relegation as they are still second from bottom and five points from safety. However, Furth’s main problems are their defensive capabilities or rather lack of them as they have conceded 29 goals in the 2. Bundesliga, the joint-highest in the league.

Heidenheim were lucky to find a late winner against bottom-of-the-table Kaiserslautern in their 3-2 home win last Friday. They were average and almost ended up with a draw against ten men. However, they continued their excellent run with four wins and one draw out from the last five league matches. As a result, they have climbed into 11^th spot and are no longer threatened by the drop.

Furth are, of course, been performing a lot better at home, but this weekend they will be facing tough opponents in the form of Heidenheim who have been unbeatable recently. I will put my money on the better in-form team and predict an away win.

SECOND PREDICTION: CORRECT SCORE – 1-2

Having netted nine in the last three games, Heidenheim’s heavy goal count should be enough to hand them another away win while Greuther Furth have scored four in their previous two games and should be able to find a consolation strike. Heidenheim have won all of their last three matches by one-goal margins and it is likely we will see the same again here. I’ll go with a 2-1 win for the visitors.

HEAD TO HEAD

Greuther Furth’s last two home matches against Heidenheim in the league ended in two away wins. However, they were victorious when the teams met last time out, winning 2-0 at Heidenheim in April.

Union Berlin - Dynamo Dresden

Union Berlin set to get back on track

TEAM NEWS

Union Berlin are missing Kenny Prince Redondo, Michael Parensen and Fabian Schonheim due to injury.

Dresden are still without the long-term injured Pascal Testroet while Soren Gonther has problems with his Achilles tendon and will miss out again. Furthermore, Marco Hartmann is unavailable after receiving his fifth yellow card in the last game.

Union Berlin

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Fabian Schonheim, Kenny Prince Redondo (both knee); Michael Parensen (calf)

Dresden

Suspended: Marco Hartmann

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Pascal Testroet (knee), Soren Gonther (Achilles)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Although Union Berlin have been struggling in their last three league matches, they are still in a very good position overall and in the race for promotion. They produced a disappointing performance last time out away at Bochum as although they took the lead early in the game they were not able to hold onto it. Coach Uwe Neuhaus was very disappointed after the game. However, Union are trailing leaders Holstein Kiel by only six points and they will fancy their chances against Dresden this weekend.

Dresden should be good opponents for the hosts in order to get back on track, even though they claimed their second win in seven games against Aue on Sunday, beating them 4-0. Despite sitting in 12^th, they are still close to the drop zone and are only two points ahead of Darmstadt in the relegation playoff place. However, they have a reasonably good goal difference of -1 compared to the other teams in the bottom 8.

Games between these two sides tend to be quite intense. However, Union have been convincing at home recently, recording four wins and three draws in their last seven matches. I think they will continue that run and return to winning ways after their disappointing defeat last time out.

SECOND PREDICTION: HALF TIME HAD – HOME WIN

Union Berlin should get off the mark early with Sebastian Polter most likely to score. Union Berlin have a +9 goal difference from seven games played at ‘Alte Forsterei and have been leading at half time in three of their last four home games. This trend should continue here.

HEAD TO HEAD

Union Berlin have hosted Dresden four times in the 2. Bundesliga over the course of the past six years, winning once and drawing three times.

Jahn Regensburg - VfL Bochum

Regensburg to claim fourth home win in a row

TEAM NEWS

Regensburg will not have Sven Kopp at their disposal.

Bochum’s Timo Perthel and Manuel Riemann are both absent with injuries.

Regensburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Sven Kopp (pulled muscle)

Bochum

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Timo Perthel (knee), Manuel Riemann (adductor)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Regensburg’s excellent run of four wins and one draw looks likely to be extended with the visit of Bochum. Following their 1-0 win away at Darmstadt last Sunday, they have now kept a clean sheet in their last two league games and are unbeaten in their last three at the Continental Arena, scoring three or more in each. Coach Achim Beierlorzer has found the right balance between defensive and attacking play and the team have been doing very well to frustrate their opponents recently.

Bochum finally returned to winning ways at home against Union Berlin last Sunday, beating the fourth-placed club 2-1, but they are a team who have been struggling on the road, having recorded only one win in their eight away games. That leaves them in 16^th place in the away form standings, with only bottom teams Kaiserslautern and Greuther Furth having a worse record.

Regensburg are on fire and should get the three points in front of their fans. Home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – REGENSBURG

Regensburg should get off the mark first after opening the scoring in their five most recent league games. The team have a +2 goal difference from their eight matches played at their own stadium and I think they will start fast again and net the opener here.

HEAD TO HEAD

Regensburg have hosted Bochum only once in the 2.Bundesliga, losing 1-0 in 2013. However, they won their away game 2-0 that season.

Erzgebirge Aue - SV Darmstadt 98

Two struggling teams searching for their form

TEAM NEWS

Aue are without long-term absentee Nicky Adler while Nicolai Rapp has received his fifth yellow card and is suspended against Darmstadt.

Peter Niemeyer is the only player on Darmstadt’s injury list.

Aue

Suspended: Nicolai Rapp

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nicky Adler (adductor)

Darmstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Peter Niemeyer (heel)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Aue suffered a crushing 4-0 loss away at Dresden last Sunday, in what was their worst defeat of the season – their second worst arriving via a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Duisburg only three weeks ago. Last weekend’s result has left Aue with just one win in the last eight league games and they are now in 15^th place, with a poor goal difference of -8. The team have only won three times on their own turf this season and they will be looking to secure home win number four here.

Darmstadt have not won in their last ten league games and a journey to Aue will prove a tough test of their credentials. Only one place and one point are separating Torsten Frings’ men from Aue, but their current league position is completely unexpected for a club of their calibre and this may be the last chance for Frings to safe his job as the team are coming off yet another defeat at home against Regensburg last time out, losing 1-0. They also have one of the worst away records in the 2. Bundesliga with just one win, four draws and two defeats, ten goals scored and 13 conceded. This will be a do-or-die game for Darmstadt.

This match is very hard to predict because neither of these teams have excelled recently. I therefore feel that both will be happy with a draw here.

SECOND PREDICTION: HALF TIME HAD - DRAW

Both teams are finding themselves at the wrong end of results and will have to improve considerably. They have both been nervous at the start of their games, with Aue scoring only twice and Darmstadt three times before the break in their last eight matches. A draw at half time should be the best choice here too.

HEAD TO HEAD

Aue have hosted Darmstadt only once in the 2.Bundesliga in a narrow game which they lost 1-0 in 2015.

Eintr. Braunschweig - Holstein Kiel

Braunschweig to beat leader Holstein Kiel

TEAM NEWS

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

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

Braunschweig

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

Holstein Kiel

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Braunschweig produced one of the surprise results of the week on the road to Ingolstadt in week 16. They set up with a 4-2-3-1 formation and did well do frustrate Ingolstadt to gain the win. Torsten Lieberknecht’s men had been in very poor form before that latest win – without winning a single game in the last four league matches. Now, they sit ninth the table and have a positive goal difference of +4. While they still hold the record of the most draws in 2.Bundesliga in 16 matches, standing at 9. There have not been so many positives to talk of for them this season, but that win against in-form Ingolstadt may spark a rejuvenated spirit amongst the camp.

Holstein Kiel travels south to Braunschweig, having an unbeaten run of the last six matches on their travels, while they have conceded at least one goal in each of the last four matches. Holstein Kiel’s form is excellent, having lost none of the last nine league matches and could defend the leading position against Dusseldorf in the last game with a 2-2 draw. The next positive aspect of the statistics for them is that they also have the most goals scored in 2.Bundesliga – creating chances doesn’t seem to be a problem for them, and most of the time they get those chances finished as an average from 2,25 goals / game showed.

Braunschweig in front of their own fans is a different team and most of the opponents will have problems there. Home win.

HEAD TO HEAD

This teams met for the first time in 2.Bundesliga.

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.