Arminia Bielefeld - Greuther Fürth

Bielefeld makes home advantage count

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 upcoming weeks. Sven Schipplock is the third unavailable player with a knee injury.

Greuther Furth's Yosuke Ideguchi is out with a knee issue and Nik Imladic with a thigh injury.

Bielefeld

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nils Quaschner, Sven Schippock (both knee); Tom Schutz (Achilles)

Greuther Furth

Suspended: None

Doubtful: 

Injured/unavailable: Yosuke Ideguchi (knee), Nik Omladic (thigh)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Bielefeld have struggled for consistency this season, winning three, drawing three and losing three so far. The team lost 1-0 to Bochum in a very close game in their most recent league outing before the international break, with the result marking their second defeat in a row. As a result, Jeff Saibene’s men have dropped to a lowly 12^thplace in the table.

Greuther Furth have been very hard to beat this season, having accumulated 16 points from a possible 27, through four wins, four draws and only one defeat. Damir Buric’s men are coming off a 1-1 draw at home against in-form Jahn Regensburg, but goalscoring looks to be an issue of late with only two goals scored in their last four league games. 

Bielefeld will be eager to get back to winning ways in an attempt to climb up the table again. Fourth-placed Greuther Furth will no doubt give the hosts a good game, but I’m backing the home side to get the job done on their own turf.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST HALF HAD – DRAW 

All of the last three league meetings between the pair at Schuco Arena have been level at half time, so back the first half to end all square on Saturday.

HEAD TO HEAD

Bielefeld are unbeaten in their last three league meetings with Greuther Furth, winning once and drawing twice.

Holstein Kiel - 1.FC Köln

Cologne to get back to winning ways

TEAM NEWS

Holstein Kiel's Arne Sicker, Mathias Honsak and Philipp Sander will not be available for the league encounter against Cologne while Aaron Seydel is a doubt with a heel injury and Kingsley Schindler is sidelined with a yellow-red card from the last game in Aue.

At Cologne, Nikolas Nartey is sidelined with a foot injury while Christian Clemens has suffered a ligament rupture and is out for the upcoming weeks too. And during the trainings week got Vincent Koziello and Lasse Sobiech injured and are not ready for the game in Kiel.

Holstein Kiel

Suspended: Kingsley Schindler

Doubtful: Aaron Seydel (heel)

Injured/unavailable: Arne Sicker, Philipp Sander (both unspecified); Mathias Honsak (broken arm)

Cologne

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nikolas Nartey (foot), Christian Clemens (ligament rupture), Vincent Koziello (shoulder), Lasse Sobiech (broken toe)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

After beating Darmstadt 4-2 on home soil in late September, Holstein Kiel fell to a disappointing 2-1 loss at Aue in their last league match before the international break, which was their third defeat of the campaign. Overall, the Storks have won three, drawn three and lost three of their nine league encounters under new boss Tim Walter. The side are still unbeaten on their own turf, having won twice and drawn twice.

Cologne were beaten for the second time this term two weeks ago when they succumbed to a somewhat surprising 2-1 home defeat to bottom-of-the-league side Duisburg at Rheinenergie Stadium. Prior to that, the league leaders had won six, drawn one and lost only one of their first eight league games. Away from home this term, Markus Anfang’s team have won all four of their league matches, scoring 12 and conceding only four in the process.

Before suffering their second defeat of the season last time out, Cologne were beginning to get rolling under their new boss. I’m backing them to bounce back with their fifth win on the road.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – HIGH

Cologne have already scored 12 times away from home, with no other team exceeding that tally. Meanwhile, Holstein Kiel have netted a respectable nine goals in their four home league matches. I expect to see plenty of goals here.

HEAD TO HEAD

These teams will meet for the first time in league action.

Dynamo Dresden - Erzgebirge Aue

Dresden to return to winning ways

TEAM NEWS

Dresden's coach Maik Walpurgis has to find replacements for the injured Jannik Muller and Florian Ballas while Philipp Heise is out with an infection and the time of his return is unknown. Additional they have to replace captain Partrick Ebert who is ruled out with suspension.

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

Dresden

Suspended: Patrick Ebert

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Florian Ballas (shoulder), Jannik Muller (foot), Philipp Heise (infection)

Aue

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Robert Jendrusch (meniscus)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

After a sluggish start to the season, Dresden have seemingly turned a corner in recent weeks, having picked up seven points from the last 12 on offer. The team have seen off Darmstadt 4-1 and Bochum 1-0, drawn with Magdeburg 2-2 and lost to Greuther Furth 1-0 in their last four league outings. However, only four teams have a worse home record than Maik Walpurgis' men, who have taken just six points from an available 15 at the DDV Arena.

Aue had gone two league games without a win, losing both, before their priceless 2-1 victory over Holstein Kiel at Erzgebirgs Stadium before the international break. After only one point from their first four league matches Aue have been in good shape of late, winning three and losing only two of their last five. Those vital three points over Tim Walter’s Kiel lifted the Viola up to 13^thin the table.

Dresden may not be in great form, but Walpurgis' team will fancy their chances in this one. I can see Dresden sealing an important win on home ground.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – DRESDEN

Dresden have opened the scoring in three of their last four league games while Aue have conceded first in their last three league matches. Expect Dresden to score the first goal in this encounter. 

HEAD TO HEAD

Aue have won just one of their previous four league meetings with Dresden, with losing two and drawing one.

SV Sandhausen - FC Ingolstadt 04

Teams in bottom two to battle to a draw

TEAM NEWS

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

Ingolstadt are without midfielders Christian Trasch and Joey Breitfeld, who could both be out until the end of the year with knee injuries.

Sandhausen

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

Ingolstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Christian Trasch, Joey Breitfeld (both knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Coach Kenan Kocak was fired after Sandhausen fell to another disappointing result before the international break, losing 3-1 away at St. Pauli. After nine league matches, the team have won only one, drawn two and lost six. They were very close to claiming a point last time out at Millerntor but conceded two late goals. Sandhausen have now lost their last two league matches in a row.  

Ingolstadt were beaten 2-1 by Paderborn at home two weeks ago. They have been in woeful form since beating Aue 3-2 at the end of August. The Schanzer have failed to claim a single point since then, leaving them rock bottom of the table on only five points. On the road, Ingolstadt have lost three and drawn one of their four away league fixtures, scoring three and conceding a whopping 11. These are testing times for new coach Alexander Nouri and his side.

Sandhausen and Ingolstadt are both out of form. Sandhausen have lost three from four league games along with one win, whereas Ingolstadt have lost five in a row now. I fancy the pair to cancel each other out here, so have a punt on the draw.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – HIGH

Both teams are in poor form and this may result in goals. Three of Ingolstadt's four away league matches have in fact seen three or more total goals as has Sandhausen's last league game. Another high-scoring league encounter is likely.

HEAD TO HEAD

Sandhausen have won just two of their previous four home league meetings with Ingolstadt, with the Schanzer winning also two.

1.FC Köln - MSV Duisburg

Cologne to claim comfortable home win

TEAM NEWS

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

Duisburg’s Moritz Stoppelkamp has a thigh 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.

Cologne

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nikolas Nartey (foot)

Duisburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Christian Gartner (knee), Enis Hajri (ankle), Moritz Stoppelkamp (thigh)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Cologne continued their excellent run last Friday, with an impressive 3-1 win against Bielefeld at Schuco Arena putting them on 19 points last weekend. Markus Anfang’s men have made a strong start to their season, winning six, drawing one and losing just one of their eight league games this far. No side in Germany's second division has scored more than Cologne (21), with goal getter Simon Terodde alone scoring 12 goals in his six starts so far.

Duisburg, who nearly made the playoffs last term, have endured a miserable start to this campaign. The side began their league season with four defeats on the bounce and only two points have followed since then as the side remain winless. It has been an abysmal run which has seen them slip down to the bottom of the table. They are coming off a 3-1 defeat on home soil against Jahn Regensburg in the league last weekend. Coach Iliya Gruev was fired afterwards with Torsten Lieberknecht signing as their new coach shortly after.

Cologne should be far too strong for Lieberknecht’s out-of-sort Duisburg on Monday. I’m backing the home side to cruise to a comfortable victory at Rheinenergie Stadium.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – COLOGNE

Cologne have been the first team to score in three of their last four league matches. I think they will score the opener against rock-bottom side Duisburg here too.

HEAD TO HEAD

These two have not met in league action since 2012-13 when both encounters finished level.

FC St. Pauli - SV Sandhausen

St. Pauli to continue their unbeaten run

TEAM NEWS

St. Pauli's Marc Hornschuh and Luca-Milan Zander are both injured and will not be available.

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

St. Pauli 

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Marc Hornschuh (spinal disc), Luca Zander (ankle)

Sandhausen

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Markus Kauczinski’s St. Pauli have been flying of late. St. Pauli started their season with back-to-back wins against Magdeburg and Darmstadt but lost the next three, conceding 12 goals in the process. However, St. Pauli have certainly turned a corner since then and the club are heading into this league match with two wins and one draw after holding city rivals Hamburg to a 0-0 draw away from home last time out. St. Pauli’s superb run of three unbeaten matches has catapulted them up into sixth in the league table.

Sandhausen’s woes worsened at the weekend as they fell to their fifth league defeat. The team were deservedly beaten 1-0 by Magdeburg at Hardtwald Stadium and remain in the bottom three. Coach Kenan Kocak has had a tough start to the season with five losses, two draws and only one win. It looks like this will be a difficult season for them.

St. Pauli have been in very good form and are very strong at Millerntor. Sandhausen will no doubt put up a brave fight, but St. Pauli should take all three points here. 

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – ODD 

Three of St. Pauli's four league wins have come by a one-goal margin. In truth, a single goal could be enough to settle this one between these two sides and I'll therefore predict odd total goals.

HEAD TO HEAD

St. Pauli have lost just two of their past six league meetings with Sandhausen, winning one and drawing three.

FC Ingolstadt 04 - SC Paderborn

Schanzer to nick a close game at Audi Sportpark

TEAM NEWS

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.

Steffen Baumgart has a fully fit Paderborn team to choose from. The only unavailable players are Massih Wassey with a back injury and Sven Michel with an Achilles issue.

Ingolstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

Paderborn

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Massih Wassey (back), Sven Michel (Achilles)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Ingolstadt have failed to win in the league since beating Aue 3-2 at Audi Sportpark in round four. The Schanzer have lost to Bochum 6-0, St. Pauli 1-0, Cologne 2-1 and Union Berlin 2-1 in league action since. During that time they parted ways with coach Stefan Leitl and have appointed Alexander Nouri as the new man in the dugout, but their problems remain the same. As a result of their poor form, Ingolstadt are in 17^thwith only five points from an available 24. 

Having sealed promotion form the third tier last season, Paderborn have made a fantastic start to Germany’s second division. The team have been beaten just twice in eight league matches, winning three and drawing three. A strike from Bernard Tekpetey was enough to give Paderborn their second home win of the season at Benteler Arena last Saturday. However, they fell to a very unlucky 2-1 defeat against St. Pauli in their last away league outing, despite being the better side.

Although they have been poor so far, I expect a reaction from Nour’s team after four league defeats on the bounce. Back the home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – ODD

Three of the last four meetings between the pair across all competitions have finished with odd total goals. With that in mind, back odd total goals to be notched at Audi Sportpark this weekend.

HEAD TO HEAD

Ingolstadt and Paderborn last met in the second tier more than four years ago. Back then, during the 2013-14 season, Paderborn won 2-1 away from home and drew 1-1 on their own turf.

Union Berlin - FC Heidenheim

Union to continue fine form with another victory

TEAM NEWS

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

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

Union Berlin

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

Heidenheim

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

New coach Urs Fischer has made an excellent start at Union Berlin. The side are sitting pretty in second place, only three points behind leaders Cologne, after winning four and drawing four out of their eight league matches so far. Last time out, Union were the better of two hard-working teams and claimed the three points away at Ingolstadt via a 2-1 scoreline. Having made such a superb start, the team are now one of the favourites to win the title.

Heidenheim have had a mixed bag of results thus far, winning three, drawing two and losing three of their eight league matches. Having played against ten men for the majority of the league game, they secured a lucky 3-2 home win over Bochum at Voith Arena in their last league outing. It means that two of their three victories have come on home soil, but they have had problems on their travels recently with two defeats in a row.

There have been too many ups and downs for Heidenheim recently and I’m therefore backing in-form Union Berlin to pick up three precious points here.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – HEIDENHEIM

Heidenheim have been the first team to get off the mark in three of their four road trips this term. I expect them to open the scoring again this weekend.

HEAD TO HEAD

The teams have met four times at Alte Forsterei over the last four years, with Union Berlin winning two, drawing one and losing one.

FC Magdeburg - Dynamo Dresden

Magdeburg to claim first home win

TEAM NEWS

Magdeburg coach Jens Hartel can choose from a fully fit squad for this league encounter with Dresden. The only absentee is Rico Preissinger with a foot injury.

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

Magdeburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Rico Preissinger (foot)

Dresden

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Madgeburg picked up their first win of the season last weekend as Jens Hartel’s men secured a narrow 1-0 victory away at fellow strugglers Sandhausen at Hardtwald Stadium. Having drawn three of their last four league outings, Magdeburg have now picked up six points from the last 12 on offer. Their first win has enabled Magdeburg to move up into 14^thplace with eight points.

Despite falling to a narrow 1-0 home defeat against Greuther Furth last weekend, Dresden's form has improved massively in recent weeks. The side started the campaign with one win and two defeats, but three wins and two losses from their last five league matches has taken them away from the relegation places with the side now sitting in eighth on 12 points. After shipping five goals in their first three league games, Dresden have now only conceded three in their last five.

This will no doubt be a tough league match for both and although Dresden are the better side home advantage could be key in this East Germany derby. I can see Magdeburg picking up their first home win of the season at MDCC Arena.

SECOND PREDICTION: CORRECT SCORE – 1-0

Magdeburg have won their last and only league victory by a 1-0 scoreline while Dresden lost 1-0 last time out. I expect the home side to repeat a similar win.

HEAD TO HEAD

These teams will meet for the first time in the second division.

Erzgebirge Aue - Holstein Kiel

 Draw seems possible between the pair

TEAM NEWS

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

Holstein Kiel's Arne Sicker and Philipp Sander will not be available for the league encounter against Aue while Aaron Seydel is a doubt with a heel injury. Moreover, Jannik Dehm saw two yellow cards against Darmstadt last time out and is now suspended.

Aue

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Robert Jendrusch (meniscus)

Holstein Kiel

Suspended: Jannik Dehm

Doubtful: Aaron Seydel (heel)

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

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

As expected, it has been a difficult start for Aue, who have lost five of their first eight league matches, winning two and drawing one, with the most recent defeat a 1-0 away loss at Paderborn last weekend. On the flip side, though, Viola have secured wins over Duisburg (2-1) and St. Pauli (3-1). Aue are one of the lowest scorers in the league, netting just eight goals in eight games. As a result, Daniel Meyer’s men are hovering just one place and two points above the bottom three in 15^th. 

Tim Walter’s Holstein Kiel returned to winning ways last time out after picking up only one point from their previous three league matches. Having lost to Union Berlin in round seven, the Storks were excellent against Darmstadt in their last league outing, with three first-half goals proving enough to secure a clear 4-2 victory on home soil. As a result, Kiel now find themselves in ninth place. 

This should be a very tight game at Erzgebirgs Stadium with both teams aiming for points – but I expect that both will cancel each other out.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – LOW 

Two of Aue's three home league matches and two of Holstein Kiel's last three away league games have resulted in two total goals or fewer. Expect that trend to continue.

HEAD TO HEAD

Holstein Kiel took four points form both of their fixtures with Aue last term, winning 3-0 away and drawing 2-2 on home soil.

Greuther Fürth - Jahn Regensburg

Greuther Furth to make it back-to-back wins

TEAM NEWS

Roberto Hilbert is out with a pulled muscle and Nik Omladic with a thigh injury for Greuther Furth while Maximilian Wittek is a doubt and Lukas Gugganig is suspended.

Jahn Regensburg's Oliver Hein and Sebastian Nachreiner are both out with knee injuries. Achim Beierlorzer can still choose from a good squad for this league encounter although he has to replace key midfielder Andreas Geipl who is suspended.

Greuther Furth

Suspended: Lukas Gugganig

Doubtful: Maximilian Wittek

Injured/unavailable: Roberto Hilbert (pulled muscle), Nik Omladic (thigh)

Jahn Regensburg

Suspended: Andreas Geipl

Doubtful: None

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

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Greuther Furth have been one of the surprise packages in the league so far. Last term they were battling against relegation, but eight league matches into the new campaign they have already secured four wins along with three draws and only one defeat, scoring an impressive 12 times in the process. Since falling to their first defeat (2-0) at Heidenheim last month, the Shamrocks have respond well with a 0-0 home draw against Hamburg and an impressive 1-0 win away from home against in-form Dresden. Following those results, Greuther Furth have moved up into third place, only four points behind leaders Cologne.

Achim Beierlorzer’s Jahn Regensburg continued their strong start to the season with a superb 3-1 away win at rock-bottom Duisburg last weekend. Although their opponents were the better side, Jan George’s goal in the 77^thminute put Regensburg's win at Schauinslandreisen Arena beyond doubt. The team have won four of their eight league games, along with one draw and three losses, to sit in a respectable fifth spot in the table. It has been the best start to a campaign in the club's history.

With both sides in tip-top shape at present, this can go either way, but I think home advantage will be an important factor in this one. Back the home team to prevail in this one.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – HIGH

Greuther Furth have scored 12 goals so far while Jahn Regensburg have struck 15 times in eight league games. Meanwhile, two of the three league matches at Sportpark Ronhof have finished with at least three goals. I foresee a high-scoring encounter.

HEAD TO HEAD

There have only been two league meetings between these teams recently, with both ending in a win for Jahn Regensburg last season.

SV Darmstadt 98 - Hamburger SV

Hamburg to return to winning ways

TEAM NEWS

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

Christian Titz’s Hamburg are at full strength. Only the long-term injured Gideon Jung, Jairo Samperio and Kyriakos Papadopoulos are absent.

Darmstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

Hamburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Darmstadt are a side in desperate form as they have lost three and drawn only one of their last four matches in the league. Since drawing 1-1 against lowly Sandhausen at home at Bollenfalltor in the middle of September, defeats have followed to Dresden (4-1), Bielefeld (2-1) and Holstein Kiel (4-2). As a result, the Lilies have dropped from third down to 13^thplace in the table, with no side in Germany's second division having experienced such a bad run recently. 

The pressure is mounting on Hamburg coach Christian Titz after a three-match winless run with only two points secured during that time. Although the team have lost just one of their last seven league outings (two draws, four wins), the fact that they have drawn a blank in the last 270 minutes of action has become a worry. Hamburg dominated their local city derby against St. Pauli last Sunday but were not able to see through their attacks with the league game ending scoreless. The outfit have now dropped into third placeand are trailing leaders Cologne by five points.

Both teams have been in poor form of late, but I expect Hamburg to be pushing for all three points against out-of-form Darmstadt. My money is going on an away victory here.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – HAMBURG

Hamburg have opened the scoring in three of their four league wins this season so far while Darmstadt conceded the first goal in two of their last three league matches. Expect the visitors to score the first goal in this encounter. 

HEAD TO HEAD

These two sides have not yet met in this division, with their last league encounter taking place in the top flight in April 2017 and ending 2-1 in Darmstadt’s favour away from home. However, Darmstadt have not won in four home league meetings with Hamburg, drawing two and losing two.

VfL Bochum - Arminia Bielefeld

Bochum to take all three points on Friday night

TEAM NEWS

Bochum’s long-term injury absentees Jannik Bandowski, Milos Pantovic, Thomas Eisfeld and Florian Kraft are all likely to miss out again while Anthony Losilla is suspended after his two yellow cards against Heidenheim last time out.

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

Bochum

Suspended: Anthony Losilla

Doubtful: 

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

Bielefeld

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Bochum, who were one of the title favourites before a ball was kicked, have endured an indifferent start to their season. The side's results have been below expectations so far under Robin Dutt with just three wins, two draws and three losses. Last weekend, Bochum crashed to a 3-2 league defeat on the road at Heidenheim, who, at the time, were three points behind them. It was their second loss on the bounce, having fallen to a 1-0 defeat at home to Dresden beforehand.

Following a four-match unbeaten streak with two wins and two draws, Bielefeld succumbed to their second defeat in their most recent league outing. After losing 3-0 to Hamburg at Volkspark Stadium in round three, they were beaten 3-1 at home by Cologne last Friday night. Overall, Jeff Saibene’s side have won three, drawn three and lost two of their eight league games thus far. They had been flying high in the table, but their latest result has seen them slip down to tenth.

Both sides could do with a win after some poor results in recent weeks. However, being at home, I fancy Bochum to secure a vital three points on Friday night.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – LOW

There don't tend to be many total goals when these two teams meet, with five of the last six league encounters ending with a low score of two total goals or fewer. I expect this pattern continue here.

HEAD TO HEAD

Bochum have won just one of their previous five home league meetings with Bielefeld, losing two and drawing two.

FC Ingolstadt 04 - Union Berlin

Ingolstadt to edge tight game on home turf

TEAM NEWS

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.

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

Ingolstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

Union Berlin

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Ingolstadt can’t seem to buy a win for love nor money at the moment. The Schanzer, who had an average start to their season, have sealed just one league win so far. Since beating Aue 3-2 at Audi-Sportpark in round four last month, the Schanzer have picked up yet a point from the last nine on offer. The Bavarian club hover just above the relegation one in 15^thplace after succumbing to a 2-1 away loss against leaders Cologne in midweek.

Union Berlin maintained their unbeaten start to their league season with scoring to late goals in a 2-0 home win against Holstein Kiel at Tuesday night. Urs Firscher’s Union have without doubt been a consistent team in the league so far, winning three and drawing four to occupy second / third spot in Germany’s second tier. Only Cologne and Paderborn have scored more than Union 11 league goals but they have the best defense in the league with conceding only five.

Ingolstadt have been in poor form of late, and they are in need of points. With new coach on the sideline Alexander Nouri Ingolstadt will be aiming for the second win of the season. My money is going on a Ingolstadt victory here.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN - EVEN

67% of Ingolstadt and Union Berlin’s last six league matches have finished with even total goals. Expect even total goals here too.

HEAD TO HEAD

Both teams won their away league fixture last season, with Union Berlin posting a 1-0 win and Ingolstadt claiming a 2-1 victory.