Fortuna Düsseldorf - SV Darmstadt 98

Visitors to register important win against leaders Dusseldorf

TEAM NEWS

Dusseldorf will be without first ‘keeper Michael Rensing again due to a broken rib, but they have no further injury concerns.

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

Dusseldorf

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Michael Rensing (broken rib)

Darmstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Peter Niemeyer (heel)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Dusseldorf have been able to keep their amazing winning streak going. They haven’t lost since mid September, with their record amounting to eight wins, one draw and one defeat so far in 2.Bundesliga. The team registered their fourth consecutive win at Bielefeld last weekend, scoring one goal in either half without reply. Against fifth placed Darmstadt, a side they have beaten twice in their last three league encounters, the leaders are slight favourites at home.

However, in order to claim a victory here, Dusseldorf will need to be convincing. After all, Darmstadt have been quite efficient lately when playing away from home, losing just one of their last four league matches and scoring five goals. However, the team are coming off a 4-3 home defeat to Nurnberg – their second loss in a row overall.

This is a difficult match to predict between two top teams, but I think that Dusseldorf’s good run will end here. I will go with an away win.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – DUSSELDORF

Dusseldorf should get off the mark early with Rouwen Hennings most likely to score. Dusseldorf have a +6 goal difference from five games played at home and having netted the opener in all of those games, I think they will score first here too.

HEAD TO HEAD

The previous two meetings between these two in 2014-15 have resulted in two resounding wins for Dusseldorf – 2-0 at home and 4-1 away.

FC Ingolstadt 04 - FC Heidenheim

Ingolstadt to claim back-to-back home victories

TEAM NEWS

Ingolstadt have a full squad available.

Heidenheim will be without John Verhoek who has pulled a muscle while Mathias Wittek was sent off against Holstein Kiel in the last match and will miss this game suspended.

Ingolstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: None

Heidenheim

Suspended: Mathias Wittek

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: John Verhoek (pulled muscle)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Ingolstadt were involved in a very entertaining 2-2 draw away to Dresden in their previous 2. Bundesliga match, with Marcel Gaus and Alfredo Morales registering the goals for them within the first 23 minutes. That result keeps Stefan Leitl’s men in 13th position with a positive +1 goal difference. They are unbeaten in their last two matches, scoring five goals in the process and conceding only two goals in those games too. This is a game the home side will want to win.

Heidenheim suffered a crushing 5-3 loss at home against Holstein Kiel in their last match, in what was their second defeat in a row – and one of the worst so far this season. However, their top scorer, Marc Schnatterer, scored twice in that defeat. The result has left Heidenheim with just two wins in ten 2. Bundesliga matches and the team now sit in 16^th position with a poor -8 goal difference. They have won only one of four games on the road this season and they will find it very hard to secure away win number two here.

Ingolstadt should take the three points here as they have been improving lately.

SECOND PREDICTION: HALF TIME HAD – HOME WIN

Ingolstadt should take advantage from the beginning as they have much better players who can make the difference in this game. They have been ahead at half time in three of their last five league matches and I think they will be ahead after 45 minutes again – just like in the last meeting between these sides over two years ago.

HEAD TO HEAD

Ingolstadt have hosted Heidenheim only once in the 2.Bundesliga in a close game which they won 1-0 in 2015. Their away game six months later ended in another victory for them by the same scoreline.

SV Darmstadt 98 - 1.FC Nürnberg

Goals will flow between these two teams

TEAM NEWS

Darmstadt will be pleased with the current squad situation as Peter Niemeyer is the only player on their injury list.

Nurnberg’s key players Adam Zrelak and Sebastian Kerk will miss out with long-term injuries while Dennis Lippert is out with a knee problem, but he does not play an essential role at the club.

Darmstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Peter Niemeyer (heel)

Nurnberg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Sebastian Kerk (hamstring), Dennis Lippert (knee), Adam Zrelak (broken foot)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Darmstadt never found a way into the game against Ingolstadt and lost deservedly 3-0 before the international break. It was their second defeat of the season and has kept them winless in the last three games. They have lost a bit of their form from beginning of the season, but with four wins, three draws and two defeats they are only two points behind third place as they sit in eighth. However, they expected better and will need to bounce back soon in order to make it into the top three.

After three wins in a row, Nurnberg were beaten 2-1 at home by Bielefeld. It was a game where they had 55% of ball possession but only five shots on target. They were not able to break through Bielefeld’s defensive line due to a lack of ideas and no creativity – although they still have the second best attack in the 2. Bundesliga. With five wins, one draw and three defeats they are only one point behind third place and have the potential to get back on track.

This is a difficult encounter to predict as both are very good teams and are fighting for promotion this season. Therefore I’ll go with the draw here.

SECOND PREDICTION: TOTAL GOALS – FOUR

Darmstadt and Nurnberg have been scoring a fair amount of goals of late and that looks set to continue here when both meet each other. Both are capable in attack and should at least be able to find the net as they have done in almost all matches this season. Both teams’ games have produced over three goals in total on average and I would not be surprised to see exactly four here.

HEAD TO HEAD

The last six times Nurnberg have visited Darmstadt they have picked up three wins, while the home team have also accumulated three victories. In addition, the last six meetings have produced 19 goals in total.

FC Heidenheim - Holstein Kiel

Heidenheim to claim their second home win

TEAM NEWS

Heidenheim will miss the long-term injured Denis Thomalla while Kevin Muller will miss over the upcoming weeks too with an adductor injury.

Holstein Kiel will have to do without the long-term injured Christopher Lenz and Manuel Janzer while Arne Sicker will miss again with illness.

Heidenheim

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Denis Thomalla (unspecified), Kevin Muller (adductor)

Holstein Kiel

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Heidenheim are coming off a disappointing game against Dresden in which they were not able to break through their opponents’ defensive line. They had only two shots on goal and lost 2-0. They will be aware that a repeat of such a dreadful performance will not help them when it comes to leaving the relegation zone. Coach Frank Schmid has to make changes if they want to see better days. However, they are bound to bounce back, and especially at their own stadium where they have great support from their fans. However, they are winless in the last four at home, with one draw and three defeats.

Holstein Kiel’s positive play and run have been a surprise. The newly-promoted suide have been involved in many entertaining matches this season and deservedly sit in second place in the 2. Bundesliga. They have been playing well recently and have won six of their last seven games. The team also have the best attack in the league with 21 goals scored, with attacking trio Dominik Drexler, Marvin Ducksch and Kevin Schindler convincing so far.

However, after their disappointing start to the season, I believe it is time for Heidenheim to bounce back. I think they can beat high-flying Holstein Kiel here and stop their incredible run. Home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: TOTAL GOALS – THREE

Heidenheim’s last five league games average three goals in total while three of Holstein Kiel’s last five have also seen exactly three goals. Expect this trend to continue here.

HEAD TO HEAD

These teams will meet for the first time in the 2. Bundesliga, but they have met four times in the third tier where Heidenheim have won both their home games 3-0 while their away matches ended with one win each.

Greuther Fürth - Erzgebirge Aue

Greuther Furth to struggle again

TEAM NEWS

Greuther Furth won’t have Mathis Bolly, Nik Omladic and Sercan Sararer at their disposal.

Aue are only without long-term absentee Nicky Adler, but they have a suitable replacement for him.

Greuther Furth

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

Aue

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nicky Adler (adductor)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Greuther Furth could not win the important battle against Kaiserslautern two weeks ago and lost their third game in a row. Following that defeat they are at the bottom of the table with only four points after nine matches. Although coach Janos Radoki was fired and Damir Buric has taken over nothing has changed in Furth so far. They are still one of the worst teams this season, with seven defeats – the highest in this tier. The side are bound to see the international break as an opportunity to make a fresh start though and might face the ideal opposition here as they have a good record against Aue, with just one defeat in the last ten encounters.

Aue were unlucky in their last league outing as they only lost 2-1 at home to Union Berlin. Their attack just wasn’t up to scratch, but overall the team performed well. The international break meant they had plenty of time to practice their attacking play, and having scored only 1.22 goals on average so far this season, this is an area they clearly need to improve on quickly.

However, Aue have won their last two away games and with Furth disappointing so far, I don’t believe the hosts are capable of beating such a compact side. I predict an away win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: TOTAL GOALS – TWO

Neither of the teams are known to be high-scorers, with Greuther Furth netting seven and Aue 11 in nine matches. With Aue’s last three games averages two goals in total, I expect to see another low-scoring match and will back two goals again.

HEAD TO HEAD

These two teams have met ten times in the 2. Bundesliga, with Greuther Furth winning eight and losing only two. They are unbeaten in the last four against Aue in front of their fans.

Jahn Regensburg - Union Berlin

Union Berlin to claim their second away win in a row

TEAM NEWS

Regensburg will not have Oliver Hein at their disposal and still miss defender Asger Sorensen due to suspension.

Union Berlin will be without Kenny Prince Redondo and Marc Torrejon.

Regensburg

Suspended: Asger Sorensen

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Oliver Hein (knee)

Union Berlin

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Kenny Prince Redondo (shoulder), Marc Torrejon (calf)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Regensburg are finding life in the second tier difficult and are yet to find a way into the games. They are on a bad run of four games with only one win, scoring only twice in these matches, and they lost 2-0 at Sandhausen last time out . With such a weak offensive performance they are not able to win matches, of course, and they have so far not been able to make use of their potential on the pitch. With only three wins in nine matches they sit in 14^th, just one point above the relegation zone.

Union Berlin have finally found a way to win matches. Following two wins in a row, including a 2-1 victory at Aue before the break, they have almost closed the gap to the top but they need to continue on that streak if they want to be considered potential promotion contenders. However, striker Sebastian Polter has definitely found his scoring touch and he impressed in the last two matches with four goals.

Union Berlin should be a level above Regensburg and are bound to take advantage of this. Away win.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – UNION BERLIN

Union Berlin have a much better attack at their disposal and this will give them the advantage to find the net first as they have done in the last game against Kaiserslautern and Aue. Regensburg have conceded the first goal in all their four home games and this poor form is bound to continue here.

HEAD TO HEAD

This encounter has taken place only three times, with both teams winning each and registering one draw.

Arminia Bielefeld - Fortuna Düsseldorf

Bielefeld to beat leaders Dusseldorf

TEAM NEWS

Bielefeld can count on the same team as in their previous matches. Christopher Nothe will be out with a knee problem and Baboucarr Gaye will be miss this game with a finger injury.

Dusseldorf will be without first ‘keeper Michael Rensing again due to a broken rib, but they have no further injury concerns.

Bielefeld

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Christopher Nothe (knee), Baboucarr Gaye (finger)

Dusseldorf

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Michael Rensing (broken rib)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

From relegation candidates to promotion hopefuls – Bielefeld’s season has been an absolute success so far as they sit in fourth place with 17 points and a +2 goal difference. They are unbeaten in their last three games scoring five goals and beat fellow promotion contenders Nurnberg 2-1 away from home last time out. One key reason for their success so far could be down to the fact that they have a very balanced team which Jeff Saibene leads very well.

Dusseldorf claimed an impressive 3-1 win in their derby at home against Duisburg before the international break. It was a game that they dominated throughout and they were 3-0 up until conceding a goal in 57^th minute. The club remain at the top of the 2. Bundesliga and boast a goal difference with +8. They have scored at least one goal in all of their 2. Bundesliga matches this season and Rouwen Hennings has found his scoring touch as he scored his third and four goal in the last two games.

Dusseldorf knocked Bielefeld out of the cup in August and Bielefeld will be ready to take revenge. I’ll back a home win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – BIELEFELD

Bielefeld have score first in two of the last three home fixtures against Dusseldorf. They have also opened the scoring in eight of their last nine league matches. I would not be surprised if this trend continues here.

HEAD TO HEAD

Bielefeld lost to Dusseldorf in the cup in extra time in August, but they claimed a 2-1 win at home when the teams last met in the league in April.

VfL Bochum - SV Sandhausen

Home side to end negative run

TEAM NEWS

Bochum’s Timo Perthel and Tim Hoogland are both absent with injuries while Johannes Wurtz is unavailable due to suspension.

Sandhausen will again be without Mirco Born, Rick Wulle and Korbinian Vollmann, who are all injury concerns.

Bochum

Suspended: Johannes Wurtz

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Timo Perthel (knee), Tim Hoogland (unspecified)

Sandhausen

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Mirco Born, Rick Wulle (both knee); Korbinian Vollmann (unspecified)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Bochum were completely outplayed by newly promoted Holstein Kiel in their last away match before the international break, with the game ending 3-0. They never found a way into the game and looked helpless despite receiving a boost from their home win against Ingolstadt in the previous outing. The team have won three of their last nine matches – an average performance which they had hoped to exceed before the start of the season. As a result, they find themselves close to the bottom of the table and are only two points above the relegation places.

Sandhausen are one of the surprise teams in the 2. Bundesliga. They have made the most of a low budget and sit in third place after beating Regensburg last time out. With five wins, two draws and two defeats and a positive +7 goal difference they have been very hot recently. One of the key contributing factors is their excellent defence as they have only conceded six goals in nine matches. However, up front they have not been so clinical, with only 13 goals so far.

Despite their recent disappointment, I still think Bochum should be able to beat a strong Sandhausen at home. I predict a home win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – BOCHUM

Despite losing three of their last four games, Bochum have been the first to score in three of them. I think they will open the scoring here too.

HEAD TO HEAD

Bochum’s all-time home record against Sandhausen in the 2. Bundesliga consists of two wins, two draws and one defeat. They have not lost any of their last three matches against Sandhausen in front of their supporters.

Dynamo Dresden - FC Ingolstadt 04

Ingolstadt to clinch their second win in a row

TEAM NEWS

Dresden are still without the long-term injured Pascal Testroet while Soren Gonther has problems with his Achilles tendon and will miss out again. Philip Heise is dealing with a thigh injury and is unavailable, too.

Ingolstadt have no injury concerns as they can count on all players in their squad for the first time this season.

Dresden

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

Ingolstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: None

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Dresden are coming off two away games, claiming one win and one draw against Heidenheim and Darmstadt. They scored an incredible five goals and conceded three. The team were close to winning in Darmstadt and were favourites against Heidenheim before the break, winning 2-0. Their attack is on fire and the team will hope that they can continue on that goalscoring spree despite their one-week break. If they can, then they should be able to get something out of this encounter.

Ingolstadt claimed an impressive 3-0 victory at home against Darmstadt last time out, with Stefan Kutschke, Sonny Kittel and Thomas Pledl scoring the goals. However, despite that positive result, the club remain in 12^th place in the 2. Bundesliga and are not meeting expectations so far this season. If they do score goals at the same rate as last time out though, they should be able to climb up the table quickly.

Both teams have been experiencing ups and downs recently and for that reason I predict a fair draw here.

SECOND PREDICTION: CORRECT SCORE – 1-1

Meetings between these two teams don’t tend to produce many goals traditionally. In fact, the last four competitive encounters have only seen seven goals in total, or an average of 1.75, with the last three all ending 1-1. I expect this trend to continue and predict another 1-1 draw here.

HEAD TO HEAD

Dresden have played only three times against Ingolstadt in their own stadium in the 2. Bundesliga and have registered two draws and one defeat.

Fortuna Düsseldorf - MSV Duisburg

Another Dusseldorf win seems likely

TEAM NEWS

Dusseldorf will be without first ‘keeper Michael Rensing again due to a broken rib, but they have no further injury concerns.

Zlatko Janjic, Borys Tashchy, Nico Klotz and Tim Albutat are still on Duisburg’s list of absentees.

Dusseldorf

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Michael Rensing (broken rib)

Duisburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Zlatko Janjic (knee), Tim Albutat (ankle), Borys Tashchy (ankle), Nico Klotz (adductor)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Dusseldorf are coming off a very successful week with wins against Regensburg (1-0) and St. Pauli (2-1). The club remain at the top of 2. Bundesliga, while they boast a positive goal difference with +6. They have scored at least one goal in all their previous seven league games as well as at home in every game this season so far.

Duisburg will travel to Dusseldorf having not won in their last three games, while they have also conceded at least two goals in each of those three matches. Following their 3-1 home win against newcomers Holstein Kiel last time out, they have only picked up just two wins in eight league matches so far. However, they are unbeaten in their last three road games and have scored eight goals in those matches, but they have been missing key striker Borys Tashchy, who has scored four times already, due to injury.

In this derby there can be only one winner – Dusseldorf. Home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – DUSSELDORF

The home team should get off the mark early with Rouwen Hennigs most likely to score. Dusseldorf have scored first in three of the last four league matches against Duisburg and I expect this to continue.

HEAD TO HEAD

Dusseldorf’s all-time home record against Duisburg in 2. Bundesliga consists of nine wins, seven draws and three defeats. They have not lost one of their last eight matches against Duisburg in front of their supporters.

FC Heidenheim - Dynamo Dresden

Goals expected in Heidenheim

TEAM NEWS

Heidenheim will miss the long-term injured Denis Thomalla while Kevin Muller faces a fresh injury and will miss over the upcoming weeks, too. In addition, they miss Mathias Wittek due to suspension.

Dresden are still without the long-term injured Pascal Testroet while Soren Gonther has problems with his Achilles tendon and will miss out again. Philip Heise is dealing with a thigh injury and is unavailable, too.

Heidenheim

Suspended: Mathias Wittek

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Denis Thomalla (unspecified), Kevin Muller

Dresden

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Heidenheim produced one of the surprise results of the weekend away from home to Duisburg in round eight. They set up a very compact formation and did well to frustrate Bielefeld to gain a draw. Frank Schmidt’s men had been in very poor form before the last three matches, with the side suffering four defeats in five games. Now they have at least  climbed up into 15^th placein the table, but still have a disappointing goal difference of -4. There is not much positive to mention as they have been experiencing an awful season so far. They have to improve a lot if they do not want to lose ground on the teams above them in the middle of the table.

Dresden have got off to an average season, claiming two wins, three draws and three defeats. They were involved in an entertaining game on the road against Darmstadt on Sunday, with the game ending in a 3-3 draw. The team were in fact close to winning at Darmstadt but conceded two late goals and came out with a disappointing result. Despite this late shock they have scored nine of their 11 goals this season on the road that should them give additional motivation to do better this time.

Heidenheim have been having problems at home recently while Dresden are in scoring mood on the road where they have netted at least two in each of their away game so far. I think an away win is on the cards.

SECOND PREDICTION: CORRECT SCORE – 1-2

I expect goals from both teams and it is just a case of how many. Dresden are on fire and have been scoring just over two on average in their previous road games while Heidenheim have found the back of the net exactly once in two of their home games. I predict a 2-1 win for the away side.

HEAD TO HEAD

Heidenheim have played only twice against Dresden in the 2.Bundesliga, with the matches ending 0-0 at Heidenheim and in a 2-1 win for Dresden at home.

Eintracht Braunschweig - FC St. Pauli

Low-scoring match expected

TEAM NEWS

Braunschweig have important striker Christoffer Nyman out with a calf injury while Mirko Boland, Salim Khelifi and Maximilian Sauer are all suspended after being sent off against Regensburg in the last game.

St. Pauli will again be without the long-term injured Ryo Miyaichi, Christopher Buchtmann, Marc Hornschuh, Aziz Bouhaddouz and Philipp Ziereis.

Braunschweig

Suspended: Mirko Boland, Salim Khelifi, Maximilian Sauer

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Christoffer Nyman (calf)

St. Pauli

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Ryo Miyaichi (knee), Philipp Ziereis (muscle), Christopher Buchtmann (ankle), Marc Hornschuh (back), Aziz Bouhaddouz

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Braunschweig are coming off a disappointing game against Regensburg where they were not able to keep hold of their 1-0 lead. Despite scoring the first goal of the match early in the game, they conceded two in second half. However, they found themselves under a lot of pressure from Regensburg, especially after having three men sent off – two of them with a clear red. Coach Torsten Lieberknecht was critical of his team’s performance and the players’ behaviour. He has to make three changes for this encounter, but on a positive note, this has only been their first loss of the season.

St. Pauli suffered their third defeat in eight matches against Dusseldorf at home on Saturday. Their ups and downs continue as the team are unable to bring more consistency into their play and their results. In addition, St. Pauli have found the back of the net only seven times this season and they are yet to score more than twice, with only the opener against Dresden seeing registering them twice on the scoreboard.

Two sides, who lost last weekend, will meet each other here, but Braunschweig, who have home advantage, should take the three Points.

SECOND PREDICTION: TOTAL GOALS – TWO

Only one of the last five meetings between these two teams has seen more than two goals and with both teams’ attacks displaying problems against strong defensive lines, I predict a low-scoring match here too, with two goals in total.

HEAD TO HEAD

Braunschweig have not won in their three previous home games against St. Pauli and they have a disappointing record overall in this division, with four home wins, one draw and five defeats.