VfL Bochum - Jahn Regensburg

Comfortable victory for VfL at Vonovia Stadium

TEAM NEWS

Bochum coach Robin Dutt has no fresh injury concerns to deal with and can count on a fully fit squad. The club’s only absent player is Maxim Leitsch, but there should be a suitable replacement for him.

Regensburg’s Andreas Geipl is suspended while Achim Beierlorzer has to find suitable replacements for several injured players as Kevin Hoffmann, Sebastian Nachreiner, Oliver Hein, Philipp Pentke and Hamadi Al Ghaddioui are all out.

Bochum

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Maxim Leitsch (adductor)

Regensburg

Suspended: Andreas Geipl

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Kevin Hoffmann, Sebastian Nachreiner (both knee); Oliver Hein (kneecap), Philipp Pentke (rib), Hamadi Al Ghaddioui (calf)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Bochum’s slim playoff hopes were ended last weekend when they were beaten 3-1 by Union Berlin at Alte Forsterei. It was VfL’s first defeat since losing 1-0 to Heidenheim in mid-February but resulted in Robin Dutt’s men trailing third-placed Holstein Kiel by six points. Even a win on Sunday will therefore not be enough for a top three finish. Nevertheless, after a slow start, it has been an encouraging season for Bochum.

Regensburg’s playoff dreams were dashed two weeks ago as they were beaten 4-1 on the road by Duisburg, followed by a 3-0 defeat at home against lowly Darmstadt last weekend in front of a sold out Continental Arena. Jahn’s form has been nowhere near good enough recently, with only two wins, one draw and two losses in their last five. However, overall, their return to Germany’s second tier can be seen as a success for them.

There may not be anything to play for at Vonovia Stadium, but both teams will want to end their season on a high. However, home advantage could be the deciding factor in this one. I’m siding with a Bochum win.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – BOCHUM 

Bochum have scored the opening goal in three of their last four home league games. Back Bochum to open the scoring at the weekend.

HEAD TO HEAD

These two have only met three times competitively, with Bochum beating Regensburg 1-0 at Continental Arena twice but losing their only home game 2-0 in 2013.

MSV Duisburg - FC St. Pauli

Three easy points for MSV on home soil

TEAM NEWS

Tim Albutat and Mark Flekken are still featuring on Duisburg’s list of absentees, but there have been no more injury concerns for coach Ilija Gruev.

St. Pauli’s Marc Hornschuh, Ryo Miyaichi, Clemens Schoppenhauer, Christopher Buchtmann and Bernd Nehrig are still absent. 

Duisburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Tim Albutat (knee), Mark Flekken (pulled muscle)

St. Pauli

Suspended: None 

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Marc Hornschuh (back), Clemens Schoppenhauer (shoulder), Ryo Miyaichi (knee), Christopher Buchtmann (adductor), Bernd Nehrig (calf)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Duisburg’s poor form in March and at the beginning of April has ultimately cost them a place in the promotion playoffs. In week 22, a 2-2 home draw against Bielefeld took the Zebras within only two points behind third-placed Holstein Kiel. However, since then, things have been going rapidly downhill for MSV, with only three wins, three draws and six defeats in the 12 following matches. After drawing 2-2 at relegation candidates Greuther Furth last weekend, Duisburg are now in eighth on 45 points.

St. Pauli sealed a precious three points at Millerntor Stadium last Sunday. They looked dead and buried in terms of survival after three successive defeats, but back-to-back home wins have given them a lifeline in 2. Bundesliga and have now secured their survival. Those six points – thanks to a 3-0 win over Greuther Furth and a 1-0 victory against Bielefeld – have lifted Markus Kauczinski’s men out of the red zone into tenth.

St. Pauli have won only twice away from home since early October and I believe the home team will be too strong for them at Schauinslandreisen Arena on Sunday. I’ll be backing a Duisburg win in this one.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – HIGH 

Duisburg have been scoring a fair amount of goals of late, with nine netted in the last three games, and that looks set to continue here with the visit of St. Pauli. However, the visitors are capable in attack, with four netted in their last two matches, and they should be able to find the net too. A high-scoring match is on the cards.

HEAD TO HEAD

Duisburg have not beaten St. Pauli in their last 12 league fixtures since 2003, recording eight defeats and four draws. Overall, Duisburg have the edge on their home ground though, with six wins, one draw and four defeats.

Dynamo Dresden - Union Berlin

Dynamo to grab three precious points

TEAM NEWS

Dresden are still without the long-term injured Pascal Testroet and Soren Gonther while Jannik Muller faces a fresh injury and is unavailable, too.

Union Berlin are missing the injured Sebastian Polter, Felix Kroos, Jacob Busk Jensen and Fabian Schonheim.

Dresden

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

Union Berlin

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Fabian Schonheim (knee), Sebastian Polter (Achilles), Jacob Busk Jensen (unspecified), Felix Kroos (foot)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Having taken five points from the last 15 on offer, Dresden have been dragged back into the mire in the 2. Bundesliga. Uwe Neuhaus’ side are hovering just two points above the relegation zone, with 16^thplaced Braunschweig boasting a better goal difference. Since winning two in a row in February, Dynamo have been unable to clinch back-to-back victories, losing four, drawing three and winning two of their last nine games, and this form has clearly put them under pressure once again. Their disappointing 0-0 draw against fellow relegation candidates Aue did little to secure survival last Sunday.

Union Berlin have had nothing to play for over the last few weeks, but Andre Hofschneider will want his side to close the curtain on another forgettable season with a win at DDV Arena. Union go into this game in decent shape, picking up seven points from their last four games. The team beat Bochum 3-1 last time out and, depending on other results, they could finish their campaign as high as fifth.

Dresden will be kicking themselves for taking just six points form their last seven games. However, I fancy them to pick up a precious victory here to save them on Sunday.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST HALF HAD – DRAW

Dresden have been drawing at half time in three of their last five 2. Bundesliga matches. Put your money on the teams to be level at the break on Sunday.

HEAD TO HEAD

Dresden’s 1-0 win over Union Berlin at Alte Forsterei back in December was their first triumph in eight attempts in this fixture, with three of those ending in defeats and four in draws.

FC Heidenheim - Grether Fürth

Heidenheim to secure narrow home win on final day

TEAM NEWS

Heidenheim coach Frank Schmidt won’t be able to count on captain Marc Schnatterer and Mathias Wittek, who are both out once again.

Mathis Bolly will be the only player not at Greuther Furth’s disposal due to injury while Sebastian Ernst has received his fifth yellow card and is suspended for the final day.

Heidenheim

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Marc Schnatterer (pulled muscle), Mathias Wittek (thigh)

Greuther Furth

Suspended: Sebastian Ernst

Doubtful: None 

Injured/unavailable: Mathis Bolly (muscle)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Heidenheim have spent most of their campaign in the bottom half of the table although they have had one or two bright moments in 2018. Frank Schmidt’s men lost their last league outing 1-0 away from home against relegated Kaiserslautern and they have been too inconsistent to be anywhere near the top after finishing last season in sixth. 

Having lost two and drawn three of their last five league games, Damir Buric’s Greuther Furth go into this huge clash needing a win to guarantee their survival in Germany’s second tier. Furth are sitting in 17^thplace and are level on points with Braunschweig one spot above them, trailing Aue, who are safe, by only one point. The team managed to secure a precious point in a 2-2 draw against Duisburg last Sunday, but overall it has been a struggle for them this season.

Furth are desperate for a win, but I can see Heidenheim grabbing all three points on home soil. My money is going on a routine Heidenheim victory at Voith Arena.

SECOND PREDICTION: TOTAL GOALS - THREE 

The pair have met three times at Voith Arena , with two of those matches seeing exactly three total goals. I predict the same outcome again.

HEAD TO HEAD

Greuther Furth have won their last two encounters against Heidenheim without conceding a goal. They also the edge at Voith Arena, with two wins and one defeat.

FC St. Pauli - Arminia Bielefeld

St. Pauli to secure back-to-back home wins

TEAM NEWS

St. Pauli’s Marc Hornschuh, Ryo Miyaichi, Clemens Schoppenhauer, Svend Christopher Buchtmann, Sven Brodersen and Luca-Milan Zander are still absent but are working on their comebacks. Furthermore, the team have to find replacements for Sami Allagui and Cenk Sahin over the upcoming weeks after they were sent off last weekend.

Bielefeld’s Nils Quaschner, Julian Borner and Brain Behrendt are set to miss this game with injuries.

St. Pauli

Suspended: Sami Allagui, Enver Cenk Sahin

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Marc Hornschuh (back), Clemens Schoppenhauer (shoulder), Luca-Milan Zander (thigh); Svend Brodersen, Ryo Miyaichi (both knee); Christopher Buchtmann (adductor)

Bielefeld

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nils Quaschner, Brian Behrendt (both knee); Julian Borner (calf)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

St. Pauli have given themselves a huge lifeline in the race for survival. After losing three on the spin and dropping into 16^thplace recently, an outstanding 3-0 win against fellow relegation candidates Greuther Furth at Millerntor Stadium has allowed them to climb out of the drop zone with a two-point lead over last week’s opponents. St. Pauli are now 13^th, but securing more points will be of paramount importance for them. 

Bielefeld are not giving up on the promotion playoffs. They have taken seven points from the last nine on offer following their 3-2 home win against relegated Kaiserslautern last Friday, but trailing third-placed Holstein Kiel by five points, they will need to win their last two games and hope for Kiel to drop points. Before their recent revival, Arminia looked to have blown their promotion chances completely after three winless games. Jeff Saibene’s men have dug their heels in and a win at Millerntor-Stadium on Sunday will take it to the final day. Whatever the outcome, it has been an excellent season for them.

I’ll be backing a narrow St. Pauli victory this Sunday.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST HALF HAD – HOME WIN

St. Pauli have been leading at half time in two of their last three home league matches. Have a punt on St. Pauli to win the first half against Bielefeld.

HEAD TO HEAD

St. Pauli have the edge in this head-to-head, with seven wins, one draw and four defeats at their home ground. However, they have not beaten Bielefeld in the last two meetings overall, losing once and drawing once.

Eintr. Braunschweig - FC Ingolstadt 04

Eintracht to claim crucial home win

TEAM NEWS

Braunschweig have Christoffer Nyman out injured while Joseph Baffo and Steve Breitkreutz have both suffered a knee injury and are unavailable, too.

Ingolstadt have a fully fit squad available against Holstein Kiel.

Braunschweig

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Joseph Baffo, Steve Breitkreutz (both knee); Christoffer Nyman (adductor)

Ingolstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: None

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Braunschweig are still well and truly embroiled in a relegation battle, having struggled to pick up good results in April. They played to a disappointing 0-0 draw against Bielefeld at Eintracht Stadium two weeks ago before losing 2-0 on Monday to second-placed Nurnberg at Max Morlock Stadium. In fact, they secured only three points from a possible 15 last month. 

Sitting in 14^thplace, they are just one point above the drop zone, with the teams behind them in better form, and they need points desperately.  

Ingolstadt are out of the race for the promotion playoff spot after losing 5-1 to third-placed Holstein Kiel at Audi Sportpark last Sunday. Following that second defeat in a row, Stefan Leitl’s side are now trailing Kiel by ten points. The Schanzer have had a very inconsistent season, with 11 wins, nine draws and 12 defeats, and given their league position in ninth place, they have nothing left to play for.

Neither team are in good form, although home advantage could turn out to be the deciding factor. This is a bigger game for Braunschweig and my money is therefore on a narrow Eintracht win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – ODD

This could be a close matchup at Eintracht Stadium and one goal could be enough to win it. Four of Braunschweig’s last five home wins have come by one goal, so back odd goals to be scored in Braunschweig at the weekend.

HEAD TO HEAD

Two of the last four fixtures between this pair have ended in Braunschweig’s favour, with the other one was a goalless draw and a home win for Ingolstadt. Braunschweig also have the edge at Eintracht Stadium with three wins and one draw.

SV Sandhausen - 1.FC Nürnberg

Nurnberg to close in on 1. Bundesliga with a win

TEAM NEWS

Sandhausen will be without Tim Kister and Ken Gibson, who are both out due to injury concerns while Manuel Striefler is suspended.

Nurnberg’s key player Sebastian Kerk will continue to miss out while Enis Alushi, Patrick Erras, Alexander Fuchs and Dennis Lippert are all unavailable with injury problems. 

Sandhausen

Suspended: Manuel Striefler

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Ken Gibson (calf), Tim Kister (broken foot)

Nurnberg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Sebastian Kerk (hamstring); Enis Alushi, Dennis Lippert, Patrick Erras (all knee); Alexander Fuchs (calf)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Sandhausen will live to fight another day in the 2. Bundesliga despite losing 2-0 to Heidenheim last weekend. Their four-point lead over Greuther Furth in 16^thmeans they have pretty much secured their survival. However, Kenan Kocak’s men will have been disappointed with that latest result as they played very well, accumulating more shots on target. However, although ball possession was almost even they could not find the net. They have won only one of their last nine league matches, losing four and drawing four in the process. 

Nurnberg walked all over Braunschweig in a stunning 2-0 home win last Monday. With just two games left, the club remain in the driving seat for automatic promotion with a five-point lead over third-placed Holstein Kiel. Michael Kollner’s boys have been defying the odds all season, and a win at Hardtwald Stadium will take them to the promised land. 

The incentive is huge for Nurnberg and with them boasting the best away record in the league, I expect them to return home with all three points. Put your money on a Nurnberg victory on Sunday.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – EVEN

Both Sandhausen’s and Nurnberg’s last three matches have finished with even total goals. I predict the same outcome in this encounter. 

HEAD TO HEAD

There have been only three league encounters between these teams at Sandhausen, with the hosts winning one and losing two. 

Jahn Regensburg - SV Darmstadt 98

Darmstadt to walk away with all three points

TEAM NEWS

Regensburg’s Jan George is suspended while Achim Beierlorzer has to find suitable replacements for several injured players as Sebastian Freis, Kevin Hoffmann, Sebastian Nachreiner, Oliver Hein, Philipp Pentke and Hamadi Al Ghaddioui are all out.

Dirk Schuster’s Darmstadt have a full-strength side for this weekend clash, with Peter Niemeyer and Baris Atik the only two absentees.

Regensburg

Suspended: Jan George

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Sebastian Freis (stomach); Kevin Hoffmann, Sebastian Nachreiner (both knee); Oliver Hein (patella), Philipp Pentke (rib), Hamadi Al Ghaddioui (calf)

Darmstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Peter Niemeyer (foot), Baris Atik (unspecified)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Regensburg are clinging on to their promotion aspirations but are trailing Holstein Kiel by five points. Achim Beierlorzer’s side have struggled to cope with the pressure of late and succumbed to a 4-1 defeat away from home against Duisburg last Sunday. Although a third-place finish is mathematically still possible, the team will need a miracle and help from other teams to overtake both Kiel and Bielefeld in the table. Jahn have certainly been in good form though, having picked up six wins and only one defeat in their last seven home league matches at Continental Arena.

Darmstadt have had a season to forget, but last weekend’s 3-1 home win over Union Berlin has ensured that they are still in with a chance of escaping the drop. Sitting in 17^th, they are currently in an automatic relegation spot, but are only two points from safety and two wins in their remaining two games may be enough to keep them in the 2. Bundesliga if results elsewhere go their way too. The club go into this one having picked up three wins and six draws from their last nine league fixtures.

With time running out, this really is a must-win game for Darmstadt. However, the Lilies have not won away from home since a 2-0 victory at Dresden in early March. Nevertheless, I fancy them to win this one and hold their survival hopes alive.

SECOND PREDICTION: TOTAL GOALS – THREE 

Regensburg’s 32 league games average just over three total goals while Darmstadt’s average over the course of the season stands at 2.75. I predict three total goals in this fixture.

HEAD TO HEAD

When these two squared off in December, Regensburg ran out 1-0 winners over Darmstadt. They also won their last home encounter 3-1 in the cup.

Fortuna Düsseldorf - Holstein Kiel

Promoted leaders to grab another win

TEAM NEWS

Tim Wiesner, Oliver Fink and Andre Hofmann will be out for Dusseldorf once again due to injury while Uwe Neuhaus saw his fifth yellow card last time out and is suspended.

Holstein Kiel will have to do without the long-term injured Amara Conde and the suspended Dominic Peitz who was given his tenth yellow card against Ingolstadt last weekend.

Dusseldorf

Suspended: Florian Neuhaus

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Andre Hoffmann (unspecified), Oliver Fink (adductor), Tim Wiesner (pubis)

Holstein Kiel

Suspended: Dominic Peitz

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Amara Conde (foot)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Dusseldorf booked their place in the 1. Bundesliga with a 2-1 win over Dresden at the DDV Stadium last Saturday, with striker Rouven Hennings scoring a late winner. Although they have a seven-point lead over third-placed Holstein Kiel, only two points separates them from Nurnberg in second and as a result, Fortuna will still need points from their last two games to seal the 2. Bundesliga title. Friedhelm Funkel’s team have without doubt been the real deal in the second tier and fully deserve promotion to the promised land. 

Last weekend’s incredible 5-1 win away at Ingolstadt has kept Holstein Kiel’s automatic promotion hopes alive. Since losing 3-2 to St. Pauli at Millerntor Stadium in late February, Markus Anfang’s troops have managed to win five, whilst drawing three and losing only one of their last nine 2. Bundesliga matches. With a five-point lead over Bielefeld in fourth, Kiel are in pole position when it comes to the promotion playoff spot and one point from the last two fixtures could be enough to secure that place.

Despite Holstein Kiel’s good run of form, I can only see one winner in this one. Dusseldorf have the best home record in the league, and I fancy them to claim their 11^thand final 2. Bundesliga victory at Esprit Arena this weekend. 

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – HIGH 

Dusseldorf have been scoring at least two goals in their last five league wins. Holstein Kiel have been on fire in their last two away games, netting nine in the process, and should be capable of finding the net again here. I predict a high-scoring match.

HEAD TO HEAD

These teams will meet for the first time at Esprit Arena in the 2. Bundesliga. The reverse fixture was an entertaining 2-2 draw between these two sides in December.

Union Berlin - VfL Bochum

Union Berlin to bounce back on Sunday

TEAM NEWS

Union Berlin are missing the injured Sebastian Polter, Felix Kroos, Jacob Busk Jensen and Fabian Schonheim.

Bochum coach Robin Dutt has no injury concerns to deal with and can count on a fully fit squad. The club’s only absentees are Timo Perthel and Maxim Leitsch, but there should be a suitable replacement for him.

Union Berlin

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Fabian Schonheim (knee), Sebastian Polter (Achilles), Jacob Busk Jensen (unspecified), Felix Kroos (foot)

Bochum

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Maxim Leitsch (adductor), Timo Perthel (knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Union Berlin’s season may have petered out, but Andre Hofschneider will want his side to finish their home league campaign with three points on Sunday. Union, who are sitting in tenth in the second-tier table, have picked up only one win in their last eight games, losing three and drawing four of those along the way. Overall, Union have mustered up just six league victories at Alte Forsterei all season. They are coming off a disappointing 3-1 loss against second-from-bottom Darmstadt away from home.

Sixth-placed Bochum will be hoping to keep their momentum ticking with a win on the road after beating Aue 2-1 at home last Friday. Since losing 2-0 at Dresden in early February, Robin Dutt’s men have hit back with seven wins, three draws and only one defeat. With Bochum so strong and in such fine form, they would certainly be a force to be reckoned with if they make it into the promotion playoffs.

Bochum may be in a higher league position and have been playing well recently, but Union Berlin have been strong at home, with two wins and four draws in their last six games. This is a tough one, but I’m going with a victory for the home side here.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – ODD

Union Berlin have won all of their last three home encounters against Bochum by a one-goal margin. I like the look of odd goals to be scored at Alte Forsterei on Sunday.

HEAD TO HEAD

Union Berlin and Bochum have met at Alte Forsterei on eight occasions, with the hosts winning six and losing two of those games. The reverse fixture earlier this season was a close game, with Bochum eventually winning 2-1.  

Greuther Fürth - MSV Duisburg

Greuther Furth to take the spoils

TEAM NEWS

Mathis Bolly will be the only player not at Greuther Furth’s disposal due to injury.

Tim Albutat is still featuring on Duisburg’s list of absentees, but there have been no more injury concerns for coach Ilija Gruev.

Greuther Furth

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Mathis Bolly (muscle)

Duisburg

Suspended: None 

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Tim Albutat (knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Greuther Furth manager Damir Buric will be looking to get the Shamrocks back on track for the last two games. Since taking 12 from a possible 15 points, the team have managed to secure only two points from their last four league matches after succumbing to a 3-0 defeat against fellow relegation candidates St. Pauli last Saturday afternoon. That loss has put them back into 16^thplace with only two games left. Wins are now essential while Furth will hope that other results will go their way too.

After drawing only one and losing five in a six-match winless streak, Duisburg unsurprisingly found themselves in danger of being dragged into the relegation battle three weeks ago. However, two successive wins have ensured their survival as MSV claimed a well-earned 3-1 win at Aue before putting on a show in a 4-1 home victory over promotion playoff candidates Regensburg last Sunday. The club have nothing left to play for, but will be looking to finish as high in the table as possible.

Greuther Furth need the points more desperately than Duisburg and I expect them to return to winning ways. Put some money on Furth to win at home and keep their survival chances alive.

SECOND PREDICTION: CORRECT SCORE – 2-1

Greuther Furth have won three of their last five home games 2-1. Another 2-1 win for the hosts is on the cards.

HEAD TO HEAD

Duisburg have picked up just one win in their last six meetings with Greuther Furth, losing three and drawing two. However, that victory was sealed in the reverse fixture back in December via a 2-0 scoreline.

Erzgebirge Aue - Dynamo Dresden

Even sides to play out draw at Erzgebirgs Stadium

TEAM NEWS

Aue have no new injury worries, with Cebio Soukou and Nicky Adler the only two players not at their disposal. However, Dennis Kempe is suspended.

Dresden are still without the long-term injured Pascal Testroet and Soren Gonther while Jannik Muller faces a fresh injury and is unavailable, too.

Aue

Suspended: Dennis Kempe

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Cebio Soukou (thigh), Nicky Adler (pulled muscle)

Dresden

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Having taken just three points from the last 12 on offer, Aue have been dragged back into the mire in the 2. Bundesliga. Hannes Drews’ side were beaten 2-1 at Bochum in their most recent league outing last Friday in what was their third consecutive defeat. As a result, they are hovering just above the relegation zone with a one-point lead over 16^thplaced Greuther Furth, as the pressure to secure their top-flight status is mounting.

Dresden are also looking nervously over their shoulders after winning just one of their last six 2. Bundesliga matches (two draws, three losses). After scoring the equaliser in the second half last Saturday, Uwe Neuhaus’s men will have been disappointed to concede the winning goal at the death against leaders Dusseldorf, with the game ending in a 2-1 loss. They are now only two points above the drop zone.

There is so much at stake in this one for both teams, so there is a strong possibility the pair will cancel each other out at Erzgebirgs Stadium. A point is not a good result for either, but I think it is the most likely outcome here. 

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST HALF HAD – DRAW

Aue have been drawing at half time in three of their last four 2. Bundesliga matches. Put your money on the teams to be level at the break on Sunday.

HEAD TO HEAD

Dresden have been victorious in their last two meetings, but Aue have the edge on home soil with five wins, four draws and one defeat across all competitions.

1.FC Kaiserslautern - FC Heidenheim

All square at Betzenberg

TEAM NEWS

Kaiserslautern have four players on their injury list as Kacper Przybylko, Patrick Salata, Brandon Borello and Daniel Halfar are all absent. Philipp Mwene saw his fifth yellow card against Bielefeld last weekend and is suspended, as is Benjamin Kessel who was sent off too.

Heidenheim’s Frank Schmidt won’t be able to count on captain Marc Schnatterer and Mathias Wittek, who are both out once again.

Kaiserslautern

Suspended: Philipp Mwene, Benjamin Kessel

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Kacper Przybylko (foot), Patrick Salata (knee), Daniel Halfar (hip), Brandon Borello (knee)

Heidenheim

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Marc Schnatterer (pulled muscle), Mathias Wittek (thigh)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Kaiserslautern’s 3-2 loss against a strong Bielefeld outfit last Friday confirmed their relegation to Germany’s third tier. Despite being 2-0 up until the 62^ndminute, the Red Devils could not hold on to their lead and lost deservedly. It has been a woeful couple of years for Kaiserslautern’s faithful and the team have been nowhere near good enough to compete at this level. Michael Frontzeck’s men go into this one having won just one of their last seven 2. Bundesliga fixtures, with two draws and four losses.

After finishing last season in an incredible sixth place, Heidenheim have been disappointing this term and are currently sitting in 11^th, three points above Greuther Furth in the relegation playoff spot. They made a horrible start to the campaign under Frank Schmidt, winning only two, drawing two and losing seven of their 11 opening fixtures, but managed to turn their season around with a 1-0 win over Nurnberg in October and have lost only six times since then. They are now on a three-match unbeaten streak following their 2-0 win over Sandhausen last Sunday.

With Heidenheim hoping to secure their survival as soon as possible, I can see them picking up a draw at Betzenberg on Sunday. 

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – HIGH 

Three of Kaiserslautern’s last five games have seen five total goals while Heidenheim’s last four away matches average 3.75 total goals. I predict a high-scoring draw here.

HEAD TO HEAD

Kaiserslautern are unbeaten in their three home encounters against Heidenheim but they have won only one of those matches, drawing the other two. Heidenheim won the reverse fixture 3-2 at home in December.