FC Heidenheim - VfL Bochum

Bochum to fly away with all three points

TEAM NEWS

Frank Schmidt’s Heidenheim will have to do without defenders Timo Beermann, Arne Feick and Mathias Wittek.

Bochum’s long-term injury absentees Jannik Bandowski, Milos Pantovic, Thomas Eisfeld and Florian Kraft are all likely to miss out again.

Heidenheim

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Timo Beermann (calf), Mathias Wittek (knee), Arne Feick (ankle)

Bochum

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Jannik Bandowski, Milos Pantovic, Thomas Eisfeld (all knee); Florian Kraft (finger)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Heidenheim earned what was only their first home league win of the season last time out. Robert Glatzel’s two strikes after half time gave the FCH a 2-0 win over Greuther Furth, inflicting a first league defeat of the season on Greuther Furth in the process. Frank Schmidt’s side have won two drawn two and lost three of their opening seven league games.

Bochum have made a superb start to their season, winning 50% of their first six league fixtures to sit third in the table only two points behind league leaders Cologne. Unfortunaltey for Robin Dutt’s men, they failed to keep hold of a 2-1 lead at Holstein-Stadium in the eventual 2-2 draw with Holstein Kiel last Saturday. Still, VfL have been beaten just twice in seven league matches this term, winning three and drawing two of them.

Having taken only one points from two league games, Bochum will be eager to get back to winning ways this weekend. I fancy Bochum to nick all three points from this one.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – ODD

Three of the last four league fixtures between the pair have seen odd total goals. With that in mind, back odd total goals to be scored at Voith-Arena this weekend again.

HEAD TO HEAD

Heidenheim took six points form both of their fixtures with Bochum last term – and they have the edge on home ground with two wins, one draw and one defeat.

MSV Duisburg - Jahn Regensburg

Duisburg to claim first home win

TEAM NEWS

Duisburg’s John Verhoek has a shoulder issue which will keep him out of this weekend league clash. Meanwhile, Enis Hajri is still recovering from an ankle injury while the long-term injured Christian Gartner is expected to be out for the remainder of the year.

Jahn Regensburg's Oliver Hein and Sebastian Nachreiner are both out with a knee injury. However, Achim Beierlorzer can still choose from a good squad for this league encounter.

Duisburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: 

Injured/unavailable: Christian Gartner (knee), Enis Hajri (ankle), John Verhoek (shoulder)

Jahn Regensburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Oliver Hein, Sebastian Nachreiner (both knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Duisburg have endured a woeful start to their season. After starting with four defeats in a row without scoring a single goal Duisburg showed some life after drawing 2-2 at Alte Forsterei to Union Berlin. They fall to a 2-1 home defeat against rival Aue only one week later, things have downhill rapidly for the Zebra’s. Ilja Gruev’s boys have lost five and drawn two of their last seven in the second tier, leaving them in 18^thplace in the table on just two points. The Zebra’s will need to buck their ideas up if they are to avoid being in a relegation scrap this season.

Having gone four league matches without a win at one draw and three losses, Sunday’s victory over leaders Hamburg at Volkspark-Stadium was a much-needed three points for the Jahn and one of the biggest surprise of the young season. Sargis Adamyan with a Hat-trick, Jan George and Marcel Correia scored the goals for Regensburg in the 5-0 triumph over the HSV. That was the club’s second and highest victory in 2.Bundesliga.

With Jahn Regensburg being only average on the road, Duisburg will fancy their chances of securing their first home win this season. My money is going on a narrow home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: HiLOW - HIGH

This encounter should produce goals with both teams being in need of points. Jahn Regensburg having scored eight and conceded five in the last two road games while Duisburg scored one but conceded three in the last two home league matches. I expect goals to flow in this game and predict a high scoring game.

HEAD TO HEAD

Duisburg won their last two league meetings against Jahn Regensburg at home.

Arminia Bielefeld - 1.FC Köln

Cologne to pick up another win this Friday

TEAM NEWS

Bielefeld are expected to be without midfielder Nils Quaschner, who is still recovering from a knee injury but working on his comeback, while Tom Schutz has problems with his achilles and is out for the next weeks.

At Cologne, Nikolas Nartey is sidelined with a foot injury.

Bielefeld

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nils Quaschner (knee), Tom Schutz (Achilles), 

Cologne

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nikolas Nartey (foot)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Jeff Saibaine’s Arminia is one of the in-form sides with turning themselves into a real force in the second tier. After only one win in the first three matches, Arminia have responded by taking an impressive eight points from their last four league matches moving up to sixth in the table as a result. The Arminia have won three, drawing three and lost one of their last seven league games, winning to Darmstadt 2-1 at Bollenfalltor with two late goals in their previous league match in midweek.

Cologne are flying high at the top of the table having taken 16 points from their first seven league matches. The experienced 2.Bundesliga Coach Markus Anfang has hit the ground running at Mungersdorf, guiding the FC to five wins, one draw and only one defeat in the league. After their shock defeat to Paderborn 5-3 at home, Cologne is back on track with back-to-back wins over Sandhausen 2-0 and Ingolstadt 2-1.

These two teams have both made a good starts to their campaign, so this should be an entertaining fixture at Schuco-Arena. Arminia are yet to lose in front of their own fans and will confidence from their midweek victory, but I fancy Colognes outstanding form to continue with another win this Friday.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – COLOGNE

Bielefeld haven’t managed to open the scoring in their last two home league games while Cologne have been first team on the scoresheet in all of their three away league matches. Expect the visitors to net the first goal again.

HEAD TO HEAD

These two sides have not met in the league for over four years. Their last cmpetitive encounter took place in the 2.Bundesliga in April 2014, with Colonge claiming a 2-0 victory at home.

Holstein Kiel - SV Darmstadt 98

Holstein Kiel to secure second home win of the season

TEAM NEWS

Holstein Kiel's Arne Sicker and Philipp Sander will not be available for the league encounter against Bochum while Aaron Seydel is a doubt with a heel injury.

Darmstadt’s Rouven Sattelmaier and Selim Gunduz are out with knee injuries.

Holstein Kiel

Suspended: None

Doubtful: Aaron Seydel (heel)

Injured/unavailable: Arne Sicker, Philipp Sander (both unspecified)

Darmstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Rouven Sattelmaier, Selim Gunduz (both knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Despite winning two of their opening four league games of the season, Tim Walter’s Holstein have struggled for form in recent weeks. Since Aaron Seydel scored late to give Holstein a 2-1 home win over Magdeburg on matchday four, Holstein have yet to win any of their following three in league action, picking up just one point from a possible nine. On Tuesday, Holstein conceded two in injury time to lose to Union Berlin at Alte Forsterei.

Darmstadt’s momentum has halted somewhat as they have picked up just one point from their last two league games. After drawing 1-1 to Sandhausen at Bollenfalltor, Dirk Schuster’s men were totally outplayed by a very motivated Dresden (4-1) side last weekend. Nonetheless, after the last results, the Lilian have managed a good start with three wins, drawn one and lost just three of their seven fixtures in the 2.Bundesliga.

With neither side in good form, don’t expect a classic at Holstein-Stadium. Having said that, though, I’m backing Holstein Kiel to pick up their win on home soil on Friday.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN - EVEN

All of Holstein Kiel and Darmstadt’s four league matches have finished with even total goals. Expect even goals here too.

HEAD TO HEAD

There have only been two meetings between these teams recently, with both finishing level last Season.

FC Magdeburg - MSV Duisburg

Hosts to pick up first home league win of the season

TEAM NEWS

Magdeburg coach Jens Hartel can choose from a fully fit squad for this league encounter with Paderborn.

Duisburg’s John Verhoek has a shoulder issue which will keep him out of this weekend league clash. Meanwhile, Enis Hajri is still recovering from an ankle injury while the long-term injured Christian Gartner is expected to be out for the remainder of the year.

Magdeburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: None

Duisburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: 

Injured/unavailable: Christian Gartner (knee), Enis Hajri (ankle), John Verhoek (shoulder)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Despite having an excellent season last time around, Magdeburg have made a shocking start to this campaign. They have won none of the opening six league games and managed only four points from a possible 15 in those matches. Last weekend, FCM fell to the next draw to Paderborn at Benteler Arena. However, they are aiming for the first home win in front of their crowd.

Ilja Gruev’s succumbed to the next defeat at home over rival Aue last Sunday. That was the Zebra’s fifth defeat of the season. After four defeats in a row to begin of the season Ilja Gruev’s men have found a way back into their campaign and aiming for more in the upcoming fixtures. However, they have yet to win away from home, having lost two of their three by one draw on the road.

Both have been not in their best shape of late, but FCM will be targeting all three points against poor travellers Duisburg at MDCC-Arena on Wednesday. My money is going on the Magdeburg victory here.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – EVEN

Two of three wins wins from Paderborn have finished with even total goals this term. I’m backing Paderborn to win by a two-goal margin again, have a punt on even goals to be scored at Benteler-Arena.

HEAD TO HEAD

The teams have so far never played each other.

Erzgebirge Aue - SV Sandhausen

Aue to make it back-to-back home wins

TEAM NEWS

Goalkeeper Robert Jendrusch is the only absentee for Daniel Meyer’s Aue.

Sandhausen’s Tim Knipping, Nejmeddin Daghfous and Ken Gipson are all out with different injuries. 

Aue

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Robert Jendrusch (meniscus)

Sandhausen

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Tim Knipping (broken foot), Nejmeddin Daghfous (calf), Ken Gipson (shoulder)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Aue have had an alarming dip in form in recent weeks, picking up just one point from their first four league games. It had been a tough week for Aue, but they managed to win their first game of the season in an impressive style over St. Pauli 3-1 at Erzgebirgs-Stadium. With that latest win at bottom side Duisburg they sit on seven points from a possible 18.  

Sandhausen’s woes worsened at the weekend as they fell to their fourth league defeat. The SVS boys were deservedly beaten 2-0 from Cologne at Hardtwald-Stadium to remain tooted to the foot of the league table. Kenan Kocak has had a tough start to the campaign, with yet to win a league game this term. Sandhausen have drawn two and lost four of their opening six, scoring the joint least with just two goals to their name.

Aue have really turned a corner after a worrying start, and I believe that their home form will continue on Wednesday. Have a punt on this important clash to end in a home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: CORRECT SCORE – 1-0

In this corresponding fixture last term, Aue sealed a narrow 1-0 home win against Sandhausen. I fancy a repeat scoreline this weekend.

HEAD TO HEAD

Aue have the edge on home soil with three wins, two draws and one defeat against Sandhausen over the course of the last six matches.

FC St. Pauli - SC Paderborn

St. Pauli to take the spoils in tight game at Millerntor

TEAM NEWS

St. Pauli's Sami Allagui, Marc Hornschuh and Luca-Milan Zander are all injured and will not be available for the home match against Paderborn. 

Steffen Baumgart has a fully fit Paderborn team to choose from. The only unavailable player is Massih Wassey with a back injury.

St. Pauli

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Sami Allagui (broken rib), Marc Hornschuh (spinal disc), Luca Zander (ankle)

Paderborn

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Massih Wassey (back)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

After a three matches losing streak St. Pauli earned an important league win at Ingolstadt last time out. Ryo Miyaichi’s 82. Minute strike gave St. Pauli a 1-0 win over the Schanzer. Markus Kauczinski’s Pauli have won three and lost three of their opening six league matches. However, the team have a lot of work ahead of them, if they want to increase their stability in defense, having conceded a league high of 13 in total so far.

Paderborn surprised away from home beating leaders Cologne with a 5-3 scoreline and claimed their first win on their travels last time out. Unfortunately for the SCP their attack is one of the best in the league – having with Philipp Klement and Sven Michel two dangerous guys in their rows. Nevertheless, that was a welcome result for Paderborn, who had lost their opener and drawn to Greuther Furth away from home this term. The team have accumulated nine points so far, with two  wins, three draws and one defeats.

A hard match is expected between these two sides, but with St. Pauli’s latest win I think they make it back-to-back wins in front of their crowd.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN - ODD

Five of the last six league meetings between the pair at Millerntor have finished with total odd goals. With that in mind, I’m backing odd total goals be scored at Millerntor in midweek.

HEAD TO HEAD

St. Pauli have not beaten Paderborn in the last six league matches, drawing three and losing three of those matches.

Jahn Regensburg - FC Heidenheim

Important three points for the Jahn

TEAM NEWS

Jahn Regensburg's Oliver Hein and Sebastian Nachreiner are both out with a knee injury. However, Achim Beierlorzer can still choose from a good squad for this league encounter.

Frank Schmidt’s Heidenheim will have to do without defenders Timo Beermann, Arne Feick and Mathias Wittek.

Jahn Regensburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Oliver Hein, Sebastian Nachreiner (both knee)

Heidenheim

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Timo Beermann (calf), Mathias Wittek (knee), Arne Feick (ankle)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Achim Beierlorzer’s Jahn Regensburg have made a slow start to their season. After six league matches, Jahn have won two, drawn one and lost three to sit on seven points from a possible 18. Since losing the latest two in a row Regensburg is on a huge downtrend and have not found the net often but conceded already a lot - only the last one at Hamburg have pushed them.

Like Regensburg, Heidenheim have also started their season slowly with a mixed bag of results thus far, winning just two of their six league matches, drawing two and losing two. Last time out Heidenheim won at Voith Arena against surprise team Greuther Furth, as a result of that average run of form, Heidenheim are sitting on 12th Place with only eight points from an available 18.

Regensburg need to get their act together quickly after latest results and I believe that they can get back on track at Continental Arena and pick up much needed three points. Back home win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE - HEIDENHEIM

Regensburg have conceded first in two of their three home league matches while Heidenheim was first on the scoresheet in both of their road games. I expect Heidenheim to find the net early in the game again.

HEAD TO HEAD

Regensburg beat Heidenheim 2-0 on home ground last season. The reverse league encounter at Voith-Arena finished in a 3-1 win for Jahn Regensburg too.

SV Darmstadt 98 - Arminia Bielefeld

A draw seems possible between these two

TEAM NEWS

Darmstadt’s Rouven Sattelmaier and Selim Gunduz are out with knee injuries.

Bielefeld are expected to be without midfielder Nils Quaschner, who is still recovering from a knee injury but working on his comeback.

Darmstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Rouven Sattelmaier, Selim Gunduz (both knee)

Bielefeld

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nils Quaschner (knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Darmstadt enjoyed a stunning start to their campaign. The Lilian were one of the in-form teams in the second tier before the international break – winning three and losing only one. But after the break Darmstadt have lost their form and came only to a 1-1 draw to bottom side Sandhausen at Bollenfalltor and lost away from home to Dresden 4-1 on Satruday. However, Darmstadt sit on sixth place on 10 points after six rounds.

Arminia Bielefeld extended their run with a battling draw with Union Berlin on Saturday. They have now won two, drawn three and lost one of their first six league matches. Arminia found themselves 1-0 drown after 45 minutes, but Andreas Vogelsammer goal earned them a 1-1 draw at Schuco-Arena. However, Arminia is still winless on the road, with two draws and one defeat they are aiming for the first win on the road.

After Saturday’s debacle against Dresden, there will be no excuses for Darmstadt in this one. Tuesday’s game is a must-win match for the Lilian, but I can see Bielefeld leaving the Bollenfalltor with a precious point. 

SECOND PREDICTION: TOTAL GOALS - ONE

A solitary goal could be enough to settle this important fixture at Bollenfalltor – just like Darmstadt’s 50% of the games have finished this season.

HEAD TO HEAD

Last season, both fixtures were won by the home team. At Bollenfalltor back in September 2017, Darmstadt edged a seven goals thriller, winning 4-3, while Bielefeld claimed a 2-0 victory on home soil in February.

Union Berlin - Holstein Kiel

All square at Alte Forsterei

TEAM NEWS

Union Berlin will once again be without the long-term injured Suleiman Abdullahi, Marc Torrejon, Fabian Schonheim, Joshua Mees and Sebastian Polter.

Holstein Kiel's Arne Sicker and Philipp Sander will not be available for the league encounter against Union Berlin while Aaron Seydel is a doubt with a heel injury.

Union Berlin

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Sebastian Polter (Achilles), Suleiman Abdullahi (ankle), Marc Torrejon (calf), Joshua Mees (thigh), Fabian Schonheim (not fit

Holstein Kiel

Suspended: None

Doubtful: Aaron Seydel (heel)

Injured/unavailable: Arne Sicker, Philipp Sander (both unspecified)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

No side in the second tier have drawn more than Union Berlin so far. Union have drawn four and won two of their opening six league affairs. Urs Fischer are on a three matches winless streak with three draws but earned a creditable 1-1 draw against Arminia at Schuco-Arena last Saturday. However, they are still unbeaten in the league so far and can count on their home fortress Alte Forsterei in this one.

Holstein Kiel maintained their unbeaten home start to their league season with a last-gasp equaliser in a 2-2 draw to Bochum at the weekend. Tim Walter’s Holstein have without a doubt not the same strength from last season, but they are able to play a good role in the league and stay away from relegation trouble. With two wins, three draws and only one defeat they sit on an excellent ninth place in the table.

As we touched on, Union Berlin have already drawn four times in the league so far, while Holstein Kiel drew three of their games. I’m predicting this to end all square on Tuesday, too.

SECOND PREDICTION: HiLOW - HIGH

Union Berlin produced two entertaining home league matches last time out while Holstein Kiel scored already seven in three league and cup matches. I expect both to fire from all guns and put my money on a high scoring game.

HEAD TO HEAD

The teams have met only twice last season in league action, with Union winning a thrilling home game 4-3 and drawing 2-2 away from home.

VfL Bochum - Dynamo Dresden

Bochum to return to winning ways on Tuesday

TEAM NEWS

Bochum’s long-term injury absentees Jannik Bandowski, Milos Pantovic, Thomas Eisfeld and Florian Kraft are all likely to miss out again.

Dresden's coach Maik Walpurgis has to find replacements for the injured Soren Gonther, Jannik Muller and Florian Ballas. 

Bochum

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Jannik Bandowski, Milos Pantovic, Thomas Eisfeld (all knee); Florian Kraft (finger)

Dresden

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Soren Gonther (knee), Florian Ballas (shoulder), Jannik Muller (foot)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Bochum have made a steady start to their season under Robin Dutt, with his VfL outfit winning three, drawing two and losing just one to sit in great position in the table after six league games. Bochum failed to break down Holstein Kiel in the 2-2 draw at Holstein-Stadium last time out – despite leading twice in this encounter but conceded a very late equalizer. Bochum have picked up an excellent six points from three home games so far.

Things are starting to look up for Dresden after a woeful start to their season. Maik Walpurgis men kicked off their league campaign with only one win and two defeats, but have responeded well in recent weeks by picking up six points from their last three league games to move off the bottom zone. Dynamo lose 1-0 to leaders Hamburg at home, before winning 4-1 to Darmstadt at DDV-Arena in their last league outing and are on nine points now.

With both teams in fine fettle, this has the potential to go either way in the Ruhr. However, I can see home advantage being a key factor in this one, especially give the fact that Bochum have won their last two home league matches, scoring three and conceding none. Back the home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: HiLOW - HIGH

Three of the last four home league fixtures against Dresden have seen at least three goals. With both offensive lines in good shape I expect the same this time again.

HEAD TO HEAD

Both teams won their home league fixture last season, with Bochum posting a 3-2 win and Dresden claiming a 2-0 victory.

1.FC Köln - FC Ingolstadt 04

Easy victory for Cologne on home soil

TEAM NEWS

At Cologne, Nikolas Nartey is sidelined with a foot injury but Markus Anfang have a very good squad to choose.

Ingolstadt are without midfielders Christian Trasch and Joey Breitfeld, who could both be out until the end of the year with knee injuries. Almog Cohen is still absent too but is working on his comeback. Additional to the three above is Konstantin Kerschbaumer suspended after his yellow-red card against St. Pauli.

Cologne

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nikolas Nartey (foot)

Ingolstadt

Suspended: Konstantin Kerschbaumer

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Christian Trasch, Joey Breitfeld (both knee); Almog Cohen (ligaments)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

After a shock 5-3 home defeat to newly-promoted Paderborn one week ago, Cologne get back to winning ways last Friday with an impressive 2-0 win over Sandhausen at Hardtwald-Stadium. Cologne were a side in excellent form, winning four league games, drawing one and losing just one from those six games and scoring a league high of 16 goals in the process. Nevertheless, Markus Anfang has enjoyed a successful start to his managerial career at Cologne, as his side sit in the hunt of the top places with 13 points.

Having lost two league games in a row without scoring a single goal but conceding seven in those matches – Ingolstadt is getting more and more in trouble and is almost in need of points. They have won only one, drawn two and lost three from their six league matches this term. Stefan Leitl’s team have not been able to make use of their potential on the pitch and was sucked during the last days. Following their defeats to Bochum 6-0 and St. Pauli 1-0 he has to find a solution quickly if they do not want to extend this negative trend.

In-form Cologne will have no problems with a struggling team from Ingolstadt and clinch the three points on home ground.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE - COLOGNE

Cologne have opened the scoring in four of their last six league matches with Ingolstadt. Expect them to score the first goal again in midweek.

HEAD TO HEAD

These teams have met just four times over the last five years, with Cologne winning three, drawing four and losing only one in all competitions. 

Hamburger SV - Jahn Regensburg

Hamburg to pick up yet another home win this weekend

TEAM NEWS

Christian Titz’s Hamburg are at full strength ahead of this clash at Volkspark Stadium. Only the long-term injured Gideon Jung, Jairo Samperio and Kyriakos Papadopoulos are absent while Lewis Holtby has problems with his foot and is a doubt.

Jahn Regensburg's Oliver Hein and Sebastian Nachreiner are both out with a knee injury. However, Achim Beierlorzer can still choose from a good squad for this league encounter.

Hamburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: Lewis Holtby (foot)

Injured/unavailable: Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Gideon Jung, Jairo Samperio (all knee)

Jahn Regensburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Oliver Hein, Sebastian Nachreiner (both knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Hamburg, who have been tipped by many for promotion, have made a very strong start to the season, losing only the opener so far. They have 12 points after five rounds and sit at the top of the league table after winning four in a row, with a positive goal difference of +5. After sealing a very close 3-2 home victory over Heidenheim last weekend, the club clinched another 1-0 win away at Dresden on Tuesday in their most recent league outing.

Jahn Regensburg have made a slow start to their campaign. After beating Ingolstadt 2-0 at home in their opening league game, the side are winless in the last four, drawing once and losing three times, including a 2-0 home defeat against Dresden. The most recent loss left the team frustrated, especially as they had been in control for large parts of the league encounter. However, Achim Beierlorzer can’t get away from the fact that Regensburg have now conceded seven in their last two league outings – and they need to work on improving their defence quickly. 

Jahn Regensburg have not enjoyed the best of times this season away from home, losing twice, and I can see Hamburg piling more misery on them this weekend. I’m predicting a clear home win for the leader.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – HIGH

Four of Hamburg's five league matches have produced three or more total goals and Jahn Regensburg have conceded seven goals in their two away league matches. I foresee a high-scoring encounter on Sunday.

HEAD TO HEAD

The teams have so far never played each other.

MSV Duisburg - Erzgebirge Aue

Duisburg to seal first win of the season

TEAM NEWS

Duisburg’s John Verhoek has a shoulder issue which will keep him out of this weekend league clash. Meanwhile, Enis Hajri is still recovering from an ankle injury while the long-term injured Christian Gartner is expected to be out for the remainder of the year.

Goalkeeper Robert Jendrusch is the only absentee for Daniel Meyer’s Aue.

Duisburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Christian Gartner (knee), Enis Hajri (ankle), John Verhoek (shoulder)

Aue

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Robert Jendrusch (meniscus)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Duisburg have failed to win in the league so far, with their uninspiring 1-0 victory over lower division side Dassendorf in the German cup the only competitive success. The side have so far been beaten by Dresden 1-0, Bochum 2-0, Darmstadt 3-0 and Greuther Furth 1-0 in league action and failed to hold on to a 2-1 lead away against Union Berlin last time out, with the league game finishing in a frustrating 2-2 draw at Alte Forsterei as the hosts scored the equaliser in stoppage time. As a result of that poor run of form, Duisburg are sitting at the bottom of the table with only one point from an available 15 and two goals to their name.

Aue survived by the skin of their teeth last season, and it could be another year of struggles for the Viola. Daniel Meyer picked up his first league win of the season last weekend since taking over the managerial reigns at Erzgebirgs Stadium in the summer, winning 3-1 against St. Pauli on home soil. However, the side had drawn one and lost three of the previous four league matches and will have to prove that their only victory hasn't just been a blip. 

Neither team have started the new campaign well, but Duisburg head into this one with the home advantage while their last league match – despite ending in a draw – will have given them the belief that they are capable of winning games. This has the potential of being a scrappy league game, so I’m not expecting a goal fest, but Duisburg can edge it on home turf.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – ODD

Four of the last six league meetings between the pair have resulted in odd total goals and I can see this happening again in Duisburg this weekend.

HEAD TO HEAD

Duisburg have won five and drawn two of their last seven home league meetings with Aue. Meanwhile, Aue have not beaten the Zebras in league action since 2010, losing six and drawing one since.