Greuther Fürth - SV Sandhausen

Greuther Furth continue good home run

TEAM NEWS

Greuther Furth have signed Julian Green from Stuttgart, Mario Maloca from Lechia in Poland, Maximilian Sauer from Braunschweig and David Atanga from Austrian outfit Salzburg, amongst others. A lot of players have left the club with Khaled Narey, Mathis Bolly, Jurgen Gjasula, Sercan Sararer, Stephen Sama, Tolcay Cigerci, Uffe Bech and Balazs Megyeri the most noteworthy. Marco Caligiuri will miss the opener with a pulled muscle.

Sandhausen have seen no fewer than 13 players leave – including Richard Sukuta-Pasu, Julian-Maurice Derstroff, Manuel Striefler -  and 12 join. Most of them are unknown, but Karim Guede from Freiburg could make his mark here. Kenan Kocak does not have Tim Knipping at his disposal, but he is already working on his comeback.

Greuther Furth

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Marco Caligiuri (pulled muscle)

Sandhausen

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Tim Knipping (broken foot)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Greuther Furth endured a disappointing 2. Bundesliga campaign, winning just ten games, drawing ten and losing 14, whilst finishing 15^thin the league table with only 40 points. Only a slightly superior goal difference over Aue in the relegation playoff place saved them from the drop into the third tier. Like this weekend's opponents Sandhausen, they struggled to score enough goals, but the arrival of Daniel Keita-Ruel and Julien Green should make their attack a lot more potent. If coach Damir Buric can find the right mix this could be a much more relaxed season for Furth.

Sandhausen were solid but inconsistent last season, eventually finishing in 11^thplace, just three points above the drop zone. Kenan Kocak’s side are one of the relegation candidates this term if they do not find their scoring touch. They must become more clinical as only 35 goals scored in their 34 games last season is too little, with no teams finding the net on fewer occasions. Having not won in their last four league games (two draws, two defeats), Sandhausen will be determined to get off to a winning start, but their pre-season has been mixed with two wins, one draw and one defeat.

Sandhausen are winless in their last seven meetings with Greuther Furth, managing just five draws and two defeats. Greuther Furth should win this one. 

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – GREUTHER FURTH

Greuther Furth have scored the opening goal in four of their last five home league meetings with Sandhausen. Back Greuther Furth to open the scoring this weekend again.

HEAD TO HEAD

These two have only met 11 times in the league, with Greuther Furth beating Sandhausen five times and drawing five whilst losing on only one occasion.

VfL Bochum - 1.FC Köln

A draw seems likely to begin between these two

TEAM NEWS

Bochum are at full strength. They are one of the teams that did a great job on the transfer market as they acquired several interesting players, including Milos Pantovic from Bayern Munich II, Robert Tesche from English side Birmingham, Sebastian Maier from Hannover, Silvere Ganvoula from Anderlecht in Belgium and Vitaly Janelt from RB Leipzig. In Jannik Bandowski they have the only absentee with a knee injury.

After being relegated from Germany's top flight, Cologne have lost several players such as Leonardo Bittencourt, Yuya Osako, Dominique Heintz, Lukas Klunter, Milos Jojic and Dominic Maroh, but the club have made decent signings in the form of new midfielder Dominick Drexler and Rafael Czichos from Holstein Kiel, Louis Schaub from Austrian outfit Rapid Vienna, Benno Schmitz from RB Leipzig and Lasse Sobiech from St. Pauli. Coach Markus Anfang has to replace only injured Marco Hoger for the opener.

Bochum

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Jannik Bandowski (knee)

Cologne

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Marco Hoger (shoulder)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Bochum were one of the best teams in the 2. Bundesliga last season after Robin Dutt took over. They managed to win six, draw four and lose only one under him in the final phase of the campaign and ended up on an excellent sixth place despite enduring a lot of trouble during the season. The team have improved their squad in the meatime and should be ready to start the new term with more good results. They could certainly be the dark horses this season.

Relegated Cologne are coming off a disappointing season in 1. Bundesliga which ended with 22 defeats, seven draws and only five wins as well as a disappointing goal difference from -35, which saw them rooted to the bottom of the table However, their aim is to return immediately to 1. Bundesliga and with one of the top squads in the division beside Hamburg they are among the clear-cut favourites for the title. Furthermore, they have made some very good signings, especially from new coach Markus Anfang’s former club Holstein Kiel.

Both teams have a very good squad at their disposal and are evenly matched on paper. Expect this one to end in a draw.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST HALF HAD – DRAW

Ten of Bochum's 17 home games last season were level at half time, with no other team boasting a higher number. Put your money on the teams to be level at the break on Saturday too.

HEAD TO HEAD

Bochum have lost just one of their last five home league meetings against Cologne, winning three and drawing one. Overall they have an even record against Cologne with 11 wins, eight draws and 13 defeats at Vonovia Stadium.

Hamburger SV - Holstein Kiel

Hamburg to start with a clear win

TEAM NEWS

Hamburg have lost several players from last aeason but have signed David Bates from Scottish club Glasgow Rangers, Christoph Moritz from Kaiserslautern, Kairo Samperio from Spain's Las Palmas and Khaled Narey from Greuther Furth. They also have striker Pierre-Michel Lasogga back after his loan to English Championship outfit Leeds. Both Kyriakos Papadopoulos and Gideon Jung will miss the first half of the season with knee injuries while Arianit Ferati is out with a torn ligament.

Holstein Kiel are not expected to be at full strength ahead of this game. The side have lost several key players during the transfer window, including last season's top scorer Marvin Ducksch, midfield motor Dominick Drexler, defender Rafael Czichos, left back Christopher Lenz, Amara Conde and Tom Weilandt, while their new additions are mostly unknown at best, with Hauke Wahl from Ingolstadt, Stefan Thesker from Dutch side Twente, Jae-Song Lee from Jeonbuk in South Korea and Dominik Reimann from Dortmund the most noteworthy.

Hamburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Gideon Jung (both knee); Arianit Ferati (ligaments)

Holstein Kiel

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None 

Injured/unavailable: None

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Hamburg worked hard to avoid their first relegation from the top flight in the club's history last season but they were helpless in the end despite finishing the campaign with a 2-1 win over Monchengladbach. After 99 years and 1866 matches in 1. Bundesliga they dropped to Germany's second tier, but it was no surprise given their poor campaign with eight wins, seven draws and 19 defeats. Despite their struggles, there is on thing they did well consistently though and that was maintaining their belie in themselves. The side are one of the biggest favourites for promotion besides Cologne with an excellent squad available.

Holstein Kiel were an interesting team last season as they came close to securing promotion to 1. Bundesliga, falling short in the playoff matches against Wolfsburg where they lost 4-1 on aggregate. However, given their recent departures and new arrivals during the transfer window so far, it is unlikely they will be involved in the battle for a top three spot this time again. In fact, on paper, they appear more likely candidates for relegation. 

Holstein Kiel had lots of problems during the summer break and I expect that will not have solved it in this game against a side who have nothing else apart from promotion on their mind. Hamburg will count on an almost sold-out stadium to begin life in the second division ad they will push for a first win. 

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – HAMBURG 

Hamburg scored the first goal against Holstein Kiel in their only ever competitive encounter in the cup 11 years ago. Of course, times have changed but Hamburg are expected to play with an attacking approach in this one and they have had a strong pre-season with five wins and just one defeat in six games, scoring 19 goals in the process. I believe they will be the first team on the scoresheet.

HEAD TO HEAD

This Northern derby takes place for the first time in 2. Bundesliga. The last meeting between these teams took place at Holstein Stadium in the cup in 2007, with Hamburg winning 5-0.

Holstein Kiel - VfL Wolfsburg

Holstein Kiel look to bounce back

TEAM NEWS

Holstein Kiel have no fresh injuries or suspensions to worry about.

Wolfsburg will not have Victor Osimhen, Riechedly Bazoer, Marcel Tisserand and Admir Mehmedi at their disposal for the second leg against Holstein Kiel.

Holstein Kiel
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: None

Wolfsburg
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Victor Osimhen (shoulder), Riechedly Bazoer (meniscus), Marcel Tisserand (thigh), Admir Mehmedi (foot)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

After a hard-fought first leg at the Volkswagen Arena on Thursday, Wolfsburg hold a 3-1 advantage over Holstein Kiel in this promotion/relegation playoff tie, with Divock Origi, Josip Brekalo and Yunus Malli scoring the goals for the Wolves while Kingsley Schindler netted the only goal for Kiel. It was a nervy first half but the top-flight team controlled the game well overall, with 61% ball possession and more shots on target.

However, despite this setback, Holstein Kiel will go into this second leg in confident mood. During the regular season, only champions Dusseldorf took more points at home in the 2. Bundesliga and Kiel will be able use their offensive strength to their advantage, having scored a league-high 36 goals on home soil.

Holstein Kiel are capable in attack and have a real chance of turning their fortunes around. Markus Anfang’s side have a tremendous recent record on home soil, winning eight, drawing seven and losing only two at Holstein Stadium in the regular season. Meanwhile, Wolfsburg only had three wins in their 17 away fixtures, with seven draws and seven defeats. I’m backing Holstein Kiel to win this second leg on Sunday.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – WOLFSBURG

Holstein Kiel have conceded the opening goal in four of their last five league matches. With that in mind, I fancy Wolfsburg to score first at Holstein Stadium.

HEAD TO HEAD

Wolfsburg’s 3-1 home win on Thursday has been the teams’ only recent professional encounter.

Karlsruher SC - Erzgebirge Aue

KSC to take a lead to Erzgebirgs-Stadium

TEAM NEWS

Alois Schwartz’s Karlsruhe have a full-strength side for this first leg clash available. Sebastian Gessl, who has been out since weeks, will miss both legs of this playoff games.

Aue have no new injury worries, with Nicky Adler and Cebio Soukou are the only two players not at their disposal due to injury.

Karlsruhe

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Sebastian Gessl (shoulder)

Aue

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Karlsruhe booked their place in the play-off already some weeks ago. After a very slow start to the campaign, Alois Schwartz’s KSC ended the season with 19 wins, 12 draws and only seven defeats in 38 3.Bundesliga matches. Finishing in the 3.Bundesliga top three will have been number one priority for the KSC before a ball was kicked – they will now fancy their chances of securing promotion to the 2.Bundesliga – only one year after they were relegated.

Aue threw avoiding relegation away on the final day with a disappointing 1-0 defeat at rival Darmstadt despite were the better team in that encounter. With Greuther Furth drawing 1-1 with Heidenheim, only a draw at Darmstadt would have saved Hannes Drew’s men for the play-off. Nevertheless they have still the chance to safe their place in 2.Bundesliga with a win over Karlsruhe in two legs. However, Aue have claimed only one point from the last 15 on offer what says all about their current form.

With the first leg taking place at Wildparkstadium, KSC will be desperate to take a positive result to Erzgebirgs-Stadium. However, Aue – who have won only three of 17 away games in the regular season – should have problems to stop in-form KSC with much better mood. I’m backing a narrow KSC victory on Friday.

SECOND PREDICTION: HALF TIME HAD - DRAW

KSC have been drawing 0-0 at half time in four of their last nine league home matches against Aue -  overall they have been drawing five at half time in that nine matches. With that in mind, put some money on this to be level at the break on Friday.

HEAD TO HEAD

When these two squared off in September 2016, KSC ran out 2-0 winners over Aue. However, they have not lost a game against Aue in the last five league home games – winning three and drawing two of those fixtures. 

VfL Wolfsburg - Holstein Kiel

Wolfsburg to make home advantage count

TEAM NEWS

Wolfsburg will not have available for the first leg against Holstein Kiel Victor Osimhen, Riechedly Bazoer, Marcel Tisserand, Admir Mehmedi and Paul Jaeckel who are all injured. However, Bruno Labbadia can count on the same eleven who won the important last home game against Cologne.

Holstein Kiel will have to do without the long-term absentee Dominik Schmidt as well as the freshly injured Dominick Drexler, Christopher Lenz and Patrick Herrmann who are all not available for the first leg against Wolfsburg.

Wolfsburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Victor Osimhen (shoulder), Riechedly Bazoer (meniscus), Marcel Tisserand (thigh), Admir Mehmedi (foot), Paul Jaeckel (knee)

Holstein Kiel

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Dominik Schmidt (calf), Patrick Herrmann (ankle), Dominick Drexler (ankle), Christopher Lenz (illness)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Wolfsburg head into the play-off in average shape, winning only one of their last five. After an excellent victory over Cologne 4-1 on final day they avoid relegation and book their place in play-off – Wolfsburg ended their regular season on 16th place – winning only six, drawing 15 and losing 13 of their 34 matches in 1.Bundesliga. Since taking over at Volkswagen Arena, Bruno Labbadia has won two, drawn three and lost six of his eleven matches as head coach on the sideline. 

Holstein Kiel ultimately ran out of steam in the hunt for second spot, but Markus Anfang’s men will no doubt be a formidable force in these two play-off matches. After an incredible season, Holstein Kiel have lost a bit of form since the turn of the year, but overall winning an impressive 14 of their 34 2.Bundesliga encounters to finish in third spot as newly promoted team. However, form is back and they claimed an impressive 6-2 victory at home against relegated Braunschweig on final day.

Although Holstein Kiel’s heavy form and excellent goal count of 71 in 34 2.Bundesliga matches this will be a different game. Wolfsburg should have the class to stop that strong offensive and should seal a narrow win. I fancy Wolfsburg to win this first leg on home turf.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST HALF HAD – DRAW

Wolfsburg have been drawing at half time in three of their last four 1.Bundesliga home matches. In fact, that this would be a very close game and no team will invest to much to begin I fancy a goalless draw at the break at Volkswagen Arena on Thursday.

HEAD TO HEAD

These two have only met twice in Regional League, with Wolfsburg winning one and losing one on home soil but both matches took place many years ago. Therefore the pair met each other for the first time under professional conditions. 

Arminia Bielefeld - SV Sandhausen

Arminia to pick up win at Schuco Arena on final day

TEAM NEWS

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

Sandhausen will be without Tim Kister, Tim Knipping, Manuel Striefler and Ken Gibson, who are all out due to injury concerns.

Bielefeld

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

Sandhausen

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Ken Gibson (calf); Tim Kister, Tim Knipping (both broken foot); Manuel Striefler (ankle)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Bielefeld’s season may have petered out, but Jeff Saibene will want his side to finish their home league campaign with three points on Sunday. Arminia are sitting fourth in the second-tier table, having picked up two wins in their last five games, losing one and drawing two along the way. Overall, the team have mustered up just seven league wins at Schuco Arena all season. They are coming off a 1-0 defeat against St. Pauli away from home.

Despite losing two on the spin against Heidenheim and Nurnberg, Sandhausen have made sure of survival. Last weekend, Kenan Kocak’s men were beaten 2-0 at home by second-placed Nurnberg.  It has been an average campaign for SVS, who were playing for promotion until the turn of the year. Still, staying in the division was their number one priority. 

I think Bielefeld will win this one as they have a superior head-to-head record and have really found their goalscoring touch of late, with five netted in their last two home games. I’m going with a home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – BIELEFELD

Bielefeld should get of the mark early as they did in five of their last sux home league games. With that in mind, have a punt on Bielefeld to score first at the weekend.

HEAD TO HEAD

Sandhausen’s victory over Bielefeld in December was their first win over Arminia in over three years, with SVS losing four and drawing one since then.

FC Ingolstadt 04 - 1.FC Kaiserslautern

Ingolstadt to end season with home win

TEAM NEWS

Ingolstadt have a fully fit squad available against Holstein Kiel.

Kaiserslautern have four players on their injury list as Kacper Przybylko, Patrick Salata, Patrick Borrello and Daniel Halfar are all absent. 

Ingolstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: None

Kaiserslautern

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Kacper Przybylko (foot); Patrick Salata, Patrick Borrello (both knee); Daniel Halfar (hip)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Ingolstadt picked up their first win in five weeks as they thumped Braunschweig 2-0 at Eintracht Stadium last Sunday. Despite flirting with the promotion playoffs in week 22, it has ultimately been another disappointing campaign for the Schanzer after last year’s relegation from 1. Bundesliga. The team will be looking for a top six finish as they currently sit just two points behind rivals Bochum, Regensburg and Bielefeld in seventh spot. 

It has been a miserable season for Kaiserslautern’s faithful, who have had to endure the worst case scenario this season. After spending several years in the 2. Bundesliga, the Red Devils now have to prepare for a season in the third tier. However, despite already being relegated, Kaiserslautern put in an excellent performance in a narrow 1-0 home win over Heidenheim last Sunday.

On their day, Ingolstadt are more than capable of putting any side to the sword at Audi Sportpark. With that in mind and with Kaiserslautern having nothing left to play for, I can see the Schanzer sealing a big victory against the Red Devils this weekend.

SECOND PREDICTION: CORRECT SCORE – 3-0

Four of Ingolstadt’s five home league wins have all come with clean sheets. Having thumped bottom teams Heidenheim, Darmstadt and Greuther Furth 3-0 on home soil, I fancy the Schanzer to do the same against relegated Kaiserslautern this Sunday. My money is on a 3-0 Ingolstadt win.

HEAD TO HEAD

There have been only four league encounters between these teams at Audi Sportpark, with the hosts winning one, drawing one and losing two. 

1.FC Nürnberg - Fortuna Düsseldorf

Clash between top 2 teams to decide 2. Bundesliga winners

TEAM NEWS

Nurnberg 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. 

Tim Wiesner, Oliver Fink, Florian Neuhaus and Andre Hofmann will be out for Dusseldorf once again due to injury.

Nurnberg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

Dusseldorf

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Four victories from five league games have put Nurnberg in the driving seat for lifting the 2. Bundesliga title. The side won 2-0 away to Sandhausen last weekend and jumped into top position with 60 points, which means they are level on points with Dusseldorf. However, with Nurnberg having a far better goal difference than Fortuna, a draw should be enough for them to win the title. Michael Kollner’s side go into this home game as the strong favourites based to their excellent form at the moment.

Friedhelm Funkel’s Dusseldorf have enjoyed a very successful season, which has ended in their promotion to the 1. Bundesliga. Fortuna have been the best team in the division by a country mile beside Nurnberg and they are currently unbeaten in their last three games, with two wins and a draw. They held third-placed Holstein Kiel to a 1-1 draw last time out.

Both teams will be looking for one final win to close the curtain on what has been a successful season in the second tier. The pair are evenly matched and either side can win the title, but I believe home advantage will decide this big clash. My money is on a Nurnberg home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – ODD

Seven of the last ten league encounters between the pair at Max Morlock Stadium have seen odd total goals. With that in mind, back odd goals to be scored in Sunday’s matchup in Nurnberg.

HEAD TO HEAD

Nurnberg and Dusseldorf have met at Max Morlock Stadium on 18 occasions, with the hosts winning 14, drawing one and losing three of those games. The reverse fixture earlier this season was a close game, with Nurnberg eventually winning 2-0.  

SV Darmstadt 98 - Erzgebirge Aue

Darmstadt to secure survival on home soil

TEAM NEWS

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

Aue have no new injury worries, with Nicky Adler the only one player not at their disposal due to injury. However, Dennis Kempe and Fabian Kalig are suspended.

Darmstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

Aue

Suspended: Fabian Kalig, Dennis Kempe

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nicky Adler (pulled muscle)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Darmstadt have given themselves a huge relegation lifeline after securing a vital 3-0 win over Regensburg at Continental Arena last weekend. The Lilies are 14^thin the table and level on points with Aue in 15^th, but with a better goal difference. A draw might be enough to keep them in the 2. Bundesliga and their recent run of four wins and six draws will give them plenty of confidence.

Aue head to Darmstadt on the back of an uneventful 0-0 draw at home soil to fellow relegation candidates Dresden. Following that result, Aue now need a win at Bollenfalltor to ensure survival. However, Aue have won just once away from home since mid-September, with that sole away win coming at high-flying Regensburg in April.

Over the course of the season, Darmstadt and Aue have been pretty evenly matched. Both currently have 40 points and only the winning side will be safe from the drop. I will go with in-form Darmstadt on Sunday. 

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – LOW

None of the three meetings between these teams have seen more than two goals. I fancy this clash to end in another low-scoring game.

HEAD TO HEAD

When these two squared off in December, Aue ran out 1-0 winners over Darmstadt. However, they lost the previous two encounters in 2014-15.

Holstein Kiel - Eintr. Braunschweig

All square at Holstein Stadium on Sunday

TEAM NEWS

Holstein Kiel will have to do without the long-term absentee Amara Conde as well as the freshly injured Dominik Schmidt and Patrick Herrmann who are all not available for the final day.

Braunschweig have Christoffer Nyman out injured while Joseph Baffo and Steve Breitkreutz have both suffered a knee injury and are unavailable, too. Furthermore, they have do deal without freshly injured Patrick Schonfeld, Salim Khelifi and Suleiman Abdullahi.

Holstein Kiel

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Amara Conde (foot), Dominik Schmidt (calf), Patrick Herrmann (ankle)

Braunschweig

Suspended: Philipp Hofmann

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Joseph Baffo, Steve Breitkreutz (both knee); Christoffer Nyman (adductor), Patrick Schonfeld (thigh), Salim Khelifi (calf), Suleiman Abdullahi (ankle)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Holstein Kiel finally booked their place in the promotion playoffs last weekend, after a 1-1 draw at Esprit Arena against promoted Dusseldorf. Markus Anfang’s men were the biggest surprise package this season and will be pleased with finishing in third after plying their trade in the third tier last term. The northern outfit are currently unbeaten in two and will be a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs.

Braunschweig have hit a rocky patch of form at just the wrong time. The Lions were clear of the drop zone back in mid-Match when beating Duisburg. Fast forward six weeks and Torsten Lieberknecht’s men now find themselves in the relegation zone with just one game to go. The team have picked up only three points from the last 18 available, but their goal difference of -2 could help them secure survival if they win this game and results go their way elsewhere too.

Holstein Kiel will be looking for some momentum heading into the playoffs, but Braunschweig are in need of points. I’m backing this tasty looking fixture to end in a draw at Holstein Stadium.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST HALF HAD – DRAW

Braunschweig have been drawing at half time in three of their last five league fixtures. It could be a close first half at Holstein Stadium, so back this one to be level at the break.

HEAD TO HEAD

These teams will meet for the first time at Holstein Stadium in the 2. Bundesliga. The reverse fixture was an uneventful 0-0 draw in December.

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.