Fortuna Düsseldorf - Arminia Bielefeld

Another three points for the runaway leaders

TEAM NEWS

Dusseldorf will be without first ‘keeper Michael Rensing again while Gokhan Gul misses out with a head injury and both Andre Hoffmann and Tim Wiesner is unavailable, too.

Bielefeld’s Nils Quaschner is set to miss this game with a knee injury.

Dusseldorf

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Michael Rensing (broken rib), Gokhan Gul (head), Tim Wiesner (unspecified), Andre Hoffmann (unspecified)

Bielefeld

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nils Quaschner (knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

After a couple of dodgy results on the road, Dusseldorf fired back in style last Sunday, winning 2-1 against Duisburg at the Schauinsland Reisen Arena. In the process, Fortuna restored their five-point cushion at the top of the 2. Bundesliga table. Friedhelm Funkel’s side have the second best home record in the division, winning eight of their 13 fixtures at Esprit Arena.

Jeff Saibene’s Bielefeld are not giving up on a playoff spot after Friday night’s narrow 1-0 win over second-placed Nurnberg briefly fired them back into the race with 38 points after 26 matches. Regensburg’s win over Sandhausen saw Bielefeld drop down to fifth, but the Arminia outfit are certainly the ones to watch in the race the third place. Bielefeld have won two, drawn two and lost only one of the last five league matches.

Dusseldorf have taken slightly more points at Esprit Arena than on the road and they have lost only one of their last five on home turf. In fact, the hosts have won eight of their 13 home league matches so far. I can see Fortuna making that nine from 14 this Friday.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – DUSSELDORF 

Dusseldorf have won their last five home encounters against Bielefeld in a row, the last four without conceding a single goal. The team have taken the lead in all of those. Have a punt on Dusseldorf to score the first goal on Friday.

HEAD TO HEAD

Dusseldorf have won their last five against Bielefeld at Esprit-Arena, the last four without conceding a single goal.

SV Darmstadt 98 - FC Ingolstadt 04

Ingolstadt to take all three points at Bollenfalltor

TEAM NEWS

Dirk Schuster’s Darmstadt have a full-strength side for this weekend clash.

Ingolstadt have a full squad available, but Almog Cohen is sidelined due to suspension after his red card while both Alfredo Morales and Stefan Kutschke saw his fifth yellow card against Bochum and are suspended here too. Dario Lezcano is injured and ruled out for the next few weeks.

Darmstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: None

Ingolstadt

Suspended: Alfredo Morales, Stefan Kutschke, Almog Cohen

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Dario Lezcano (broken nose)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Darmstadt earned a vital win on their visit to Dresden last time out, after losing two in a row away from home previously. Although their 2-0 win at Dresden put them back into the race to avoid relegation, the Lilies still have some serious work to do. That win was Dirk Schuster’s second 2. Bundesliga victory as Darmstadt manager since arriving in late December.

Since beating bottom side Greuther Furth earlier this month, Ingolstadt have managed only one draw and suffered three defeats from their last four. The Schanzer were beaten 1-0 at their stadium, the Audi Sportpark, two weeks ago, before losing 2-1 away at Duisburg and succumbing to another 1-0 defeat at home against Bochum last Monday. As a consequence, Stefan Leitl’s men have been dragged back down the table and are now only four points clear of the drop zone.

Both teams are in need of points and neither side can afford to lose. Darmstadt have won only three of their 12 league games at Bollenfalltor, while Ingolstadt have picked up five wins on the road. Therefore, the visitors should edge this one, so back an Ingolstadt win.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – INGOLSTADT

Ingolstadt have scored the opening goal in four of their last five league victories away from home. Back Ingolstadt to notch the first goal on Saturday too.

HEAD TO HEAD

Darmstadt lost their last encounter against Ingolstadt 3-0 away in September. Overall, they have picked up one win, one draw and one defeat in front of their own fans across all competitions.

VfL Bochum - Holstein Kiel

Bochum to make it back-to-back victories

TEAM NEWS

Bochum coach Robin Dutt has no injury or suspension concerns.

Holstein Kiel will have to do without the long-term injured Arne Sicker, Amara Conde and Manuel Janzer.

Bochum

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: None

Holstein Kiel

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Manuel Janzer (Achilles), Arne Sicker (unspecified), Amara Conde (foot)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Robin Dutt’s Bochum shocked Ingolstadt with a 1-0 win at Audi Sportpark in their last 2. Bundesliga outing. Sitting in 14^th, their main aim is to fire themselves further away from the relegation places and last weekend’s victory took them one point clear of the drop zone. Under new coach Robin Dutt they have shown a real uptrend in the last three matches but they are still in need of points to ensure they are safe from the drop.

Holstein Kiel thrashed Duisburg 5-0 at home last Saturday and have held on to third place with 40 points after 25 games. It was their first victory in 2018, with the Storks taking only eight points from their last 11 league games before winning that important game against Duisburg at Holstein Stadium in their last outing. Draws have been the predominant result for them since late October, with the team clinching nine in their last 14 games – compared to ten from 25 games all season. Away from home they are still winless since mid-October and the trip to Bochum should be a tough one.

Bochum have improved considerably under Dutt while Markus Anfang’s Kiel have not been convincing on the road over the last four months. Put your money on Bochum to claim a crucial win at Vonovia Ruhrstadium.

SECOND PREDICTION: HALF TIME HAD – DRAW

Bochum have gone into the break level at 0-0 in each of their last two matches. Furthermore, their defensive line has been very hard to beat in their last three games, with the team keeping two clean sheets. This could be a tight contest for the first 45 minutes on Saturday and I’ll back another low-scoring first half here.

HEAD TO HEAD

There has only been one meeting between these two in 2. Bundesliga when Bochum hosted the reverse fixture last September. They claimed a comfortable 3-0 victory.

Greuther Fürth - 1.FC Kaiserslautern

Furth to roar to another victory at home

TEAM NEWS

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

Kaiserslautern have five players on their injury list as Kacper Przybylko, Patrick Salata, Giuliano Modica, Daniel Halfar and Mads Albaek are all absent. Furthermore, they have to find a replacement for Benjamiin Kessel after the player received his fifth yellow card against Union Berlin last weekend and is suspended here.

Greuther Furth

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

Kaiserslautern

Suspended: Benjamin Kessel

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Kacper Przybylko (foot), Mads Albaek (pubis); Patrick Salata, Giuliano Modica (both knee); Daniel Halfar (hip)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Damir Buric’s Greuther Furth shocked Nurnberg with a 2-0 win at Max Morlock Stadium in their last 2. Bundesliga outing as the Shamrocks claimed their first win on the road this season against the then-leaders. Furth’s main aim is to fire themselves away from the relegation zone and last weekend’s victory took them three points clear of 16^th place. Their change in fortunes is only down to their good run over the past month as they have won three and drawn one of their last four matches. Surprisingly, on home turf, they are one of the best teams in the league with seven wins, two draws and only three defeats.

Kaiserslautern had been showing signs of improvement since Michael Frontzeck took over, but they are still rooted to the bottom of the table and are five points from safety. Despite winning three out of their last five league fixtures, including an important 4-3 home win over Union Berlin last Friday, they look doomed to relegation. However, they are still in with a chance of retaining their second-division status and continuing to collect wins will be a must as there are only nine matches left.

Kaiserslautern present a great opportunity for Furth to recover some lost ground. The bottom-of the-league side have not kept a clean sheet on the road in any of their matches this season. With that record in mind, Furth will come into this contest as the clear favourites.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – ODD

On paper, these two sides are pretty evenly matched. When they met last time at Furth, there was only one goal between them and I expect a repeat here. Have a punt on odd goals to be scored again.

HEAD TO HEAD

Kaiserslautern have won eight of their last ten competitive encounters with Greuther Furth. In the reverse fixture at Betzenberg, Michael Frontzeck’s Red Devils claimed a 3-0 victory.

St. Pauli - Eintr. Braunschweig

St. Pauli to make home advantage count

TEAM NEWS

St. Pauli’s Ryo Miyaichi, Marc Hornschuh, Enver Cenk Sahin, Clemens Schoppenhauer and Christopher Buchtmann are still absent but are all working on their comebacks.

Braunschweig have Julius Biada out injured while Joseph Baffo has suffered a knee injury and is unavailable, too. The side are missing one more player in Steve Breitkreuz.

St. Pauli

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Ryo Miyaichi (knee), Marc Hornschuh (back), Christopher Buchtmann (pubis), Enver Cenk Sahin (thigh), Clemens Schoppenhauer (shoulder)

Braunschweig

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Joseph Baffo (knee); Julius Biada, Steve Breitkreuz (both unspecified)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

St. Pauli have arguably been one of the most inconsistent team in the 2. Bundesliga this season. In 2018, Markus Kauczinksi’s men have lost three, drawn one and won three of their seven league matches. The Hamburg outfit fell to a narrow 2-1 loss at Dusseldorf last Sunday, with the result leaving them in tenth spot with nine wins, seven draws and nine defeats. However, St. Pauli will almost certainly be a 2. Bundesliga club next season.

Braunschweig picked up three valuable points in their quest for survival on Sunday as they beta strong Regensburg 2-1 at the Eintracht Stadium. That vital win has lifted the side up to 12^th in the table, three points clear of the relegation zone. After a woeful start to their 2. Bundesliga campaign, Torsten Lieberknecht’s men have certainly turned their fortunes around with three wins, one draw and two defeats in their last six.

Despite their poor campaign so far, St. Pauli are unbeaten in their last two at Millerntor Stadium. In fact, they have lost only one of their last eight on home turf. Have a punt on St. Pauli to seal a victory this Saturday afternoon.

SECOND PREDICTION: CORRECT SCORE – 1-0

Three of St. Pauli’s last five wins against Braunschweig have been secured by a one-goal margin, with two of them 1-0 victories. One goal could be enough to nick this clash too and I’m siding with just a solitary goal to be notched by the hosts here.

HEAD TO HEAD

St. Pauli have won six and drawn one of their last eight meetings with Braunschweig across all competitions.

Arminia Bielefeld - 1.FC Nürnberg

Visitors to take all three points at Schuco Arena

TEAM NEWS

Bielefeld’s Nils Quaschner is set to miss this game with a knee injury.

Nurnberg’s key player Sebastian Kerk will miss out with a long-term hamstring injury while Enis Alushi and Dennis Lippert are both out with knee problems.

Bielefeld

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nils Quaschner (knee)

Nurnberg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Sebastian Kerk (hamstring); Enis Alushi, Dennis Lippert, Mikael Ishak (all knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Bielefeld came from two goals down to earn an excellent 2-2 draw with Heidenheim at Voith Arena last Sunday. Bielefeld are sitting in seventh having won nine, drawn eight and lost eight of their 25 2. Bundesliga games so far. They have lost only one of their last seven league outings and are five points adrift of the promotion playoff place, but four of those games have been draws.

Nurnberg suffered a 2-0 defeat against Greuther Furth in the Franconian derby on home soil last Saturday. After picking up just one point from their last two games, the team have now slipped into second place and are trailing new leaders Dusseldorf by two points. Nevertheless, Michael Kollner’s men are still the favourites to win the division. No team in the second tier have taken more than Nurnberg’s 24 points on the road – but they are winless in the last two road games, with both ending goalless.

After losing the top place in the 2. Bundesliga, Nurnberg will be looking to hit back here. It could be close, but I’m backing the visitors to leave Schuco Arena with all three points on Friday.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – EVEN

Five of the last seven competitive meetings between these two sides have finished with even goals, with Nurnberg registering four wins during that stretch. Take a punt on even goals to be notched at the Schuco Arena on Friday evening.

HEAD TO HEAD

The teams have met 15 times at Bielefeld since 1979 across all competitions, with the hosts winning seven, drawing two and losing six.

Dynamo Dresden - FC Heidenheim

Dresden to seal viral win at home this Friday

TEAM NEWS

Dresden are still without the long-term injured Pascal Testroet, Soren Gonther and Marco Hartmann.

Heidenheim will be without the injured Marnon Busch and Timo Beermann, but they have an otherwise full squad available for the clash against Dresden.

Dresden

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Pascal Testroet, Marco Hartmann (both knee); Soren Gonther (Achilles)

Heidenheim

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Marnon Busch (unspecified), Timo Beermann (knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Before losing 2-0 at home to bottom dwellers Darmstadt last Friday night, Dresden had claimed back-to-back victories in the 2. Bundesliga against Regensburg (1-0) and Bielefeld (3-2). Although Friday’s defeat at the DDV Arena was a setback, Dynamo are still three points clear of the drop zone. Their home form will need to improve, though, as they have won just four in 12 2.Bundesliga games this season and are one of the worst teams on home soil.

After throwing away a one-goal lead against ten-man Darmstadt to draw 1-1 in their most recent away game two weeks ago, Heidenheim let another lead slip last Sunday. Frank Schmidt’s men were cruising at 2-0 by the 62^nd minute at Voith Arena, but Bielefeld hit back with two late goals to pile more misery on Heidenheim. However, after a very bad start to the campaign, they have now in fact lost just one of their last eight games and are in a solid mid-table position with nine wins, seven draws and nine defeats.

Nevertheless, Heidenheim have not won any of their last five games on the road, managing only three draws during that stretch, while Dresden have won three of their last five at home. I’m backing Dresden to seal a vital home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: CORRECT SCORE – 1-0

Dresden have kept clean sheets in all of their four home wins, with two of those ending in 1-0 victories. I’m putting my money on Dresden to win 1-0 again at the DDV Arena on Friday.

HEAD TO HEAD

These two teams have met only once at Dresden in the 2. Bundesliga, in a close game which Dresden won 2-1 in April last year. Their last encounter took place in Heidenheim in October, with Heidenheim claiming another win – this time by a 2-0 scoreline.

FC Heidenheim - Arminia Bielefeld

Duo to cancel each other out

TEAM NEWS

Heidenheim will be without the injured Marnon Busch and Timo Beermann but they have an otherwise full squad available for the clash against Bielefeld.

Bielefeld’s Nils Quaschner is set to miss this game with a knee injury.

Heidenheim

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Marnon Busch (unspecified), Timo Beermann (knee)

Bielefeld

Suspended: None

Doubtful:

Injured/unavailable: Nils Quaschner (knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Heidenheim failed to get the better of 10-man Darmstadt at the Bollenfalltor last round in an eventual 1-1 draw. However, the team have won their last six matches on home soil in the 2. Bundesliga. This excellent run has put them up into 11^th place, only four points below third-placed Holstein Kiel, but also only six points above the drop zone.

Jeff Saibene’s Bielefeld fell to their first 2. Bundesliga home defeat since late October last Friday as they lost 3-1 to strugglers Dresden. Prior to that defeat at Schuco-Arena, Arminia had won two and drawn three in their last seven home games. The team have only been beaten once in 2018 overall in the league and that excellent run has given them entry to the race for a playoff spot.

With both teams in great shape, we should be in for an intriguing battle at Voith-Arena. There is a good chance the pair will cancel each other out. With that in mind, back the draw between these two this weekend.

SECOND PREDICTION: CORRECT SCORE – 2-2

Both team have scored regularly this season, with Heidenheim notching two or more goals in five of their last seven home games and Bielefeld managing the same feat in three of their last five away. Take a punt on a 2-2 scoreline.

HEAD TO HEAD

The last two fixtures between Heidenheim and Bielefeld have finished level.

Fortuna Düsseldorf - FC St. Pauli

Dusseldorf to get back on track against Kauczinski’s St. Pauli

TEAM NEWS

Dusseldorf will be without first ‘keeper Michael Rensing again while Gokhan Gul misses out with a head injury and Tim Wiesner is unavailable, too.

St. Pauli’s Ryo Miyaichi, Marc Hornschuh, Enver Cenk Sahin and Christopher Buchtmann are still absent but are all working on their comebacks. Furthermore, the team are without Bernd Nehrig who saw his fifth yellow card against Holstein Kiel last Sunday and is therefore suspended for this game.

Dusseldorf

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Michael Rensing (broken rib), Gokhan Gul (head), Tim Wiesner (unspecified)

St. Pauli

Suspended: Bernd Nehrig

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Ryo Miyaichi (knee), Marc Hornschuh (back), Christopher Buchtmann (pubis), Enver Cenk Sahin (thigh)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

After throwing away a one-goal lead to lose 3-1 against Union Berlin in their previous away game, Dusseldorf let another lead slip on Friday. Fortuna were cruising at 3-0 after only 15 minutes at Continental Arena, but hosts Regensburg hit back with four goals to pile more misery onto Dusseldorf. Dusseldorf have now lost their position as the league leaders to Nurnberg after a three-match winless run with one draw and two defeats.

St. Pauli have been flying recently, winning their last two and climbing up to ninth place – only three points from the promotion playoff spot. A single goal from Sami Allagui was enough to seal a 1-0 win for St. Pauli in their last away outing and Markus Kauczinski’s men followed that up with a lucky 3-2 victory over Holstein Kiel at Millerntor Stadium last Sunday.

Both sides still have aspirations of promotion in the last ten matches, but Dusseldorf seem the team more likely to clinch a top 3 spot at the end of the season. Having won two of their last three home games, I fancy Fortuna to take another three points on their home ground this weekend.

SECOND PREDICTION: TOTAL GOALS – THREE

Goals have been flowing between these two sides recently and with both offensive lines in excellent form I expect the same again here. In fact, both teams average over two total goals on average while there have been 18 goals scored in the last six meetings between Dusseldorf and St. Pauli. I will back three here too.

HEAD TO HEAD

Dusseldorf have won two of the last six encounters while three ended in favour for St. Pauli.

Eintr. Braunschweig - Jahn Regensburg

Braunschweig to take all three points at Eintracht Stadium

TEAM NEWS

Braunschweig have Julius Biada out injured while Joseph Baffo has suffered a knee injury and is unavailable, too. The side are missing two more players in the form of Patrick Schonfeld and Steve Breitkreuz.

Regensburg have no injury or suspension concerns. Coach Achim Beierlorzer can count on a fully fit squad against Braunschweig.

Braunschweig

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Joseph Baffo (knee); Julius Biada, Steve Breitkreuz (both unspecified); Patrick Schonfeld (thigh)

Regensburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: None

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Braunschweig have had an indifferent season so far and have spent most of their campaign in the bottom half of the table. Over the last eight league games, the team have won two, drawn two and lost four. Braunschweig fell to their seventh defeat of the campaign last Saturday when losing 2-1 to Greuther Furth at Sportpark Ronhof. The result has put coach Torsten Lieberknecht under serious pressure as they are only two points away from the drop zone.

Regensburg have been like a machine in recent month, winning eight, drawing three and losing only two of their previous 13 2. Bundesliga matches. Last Friday, goals from Marco Gruttner, Jonas Nietfeld, Marvin Knoll and Sargis Adamyan gave them a 4-3 win over fellow high-flyers Dusseldorf despite falling 3-0 behind within the first 15 minutes of the game. The team are one point behind the promotion playoff place.

Braunschweig have lost three of their last five at Eintracht Stadium but managed a win against promotion contenders Union Berlin in their last home match. Regensburg are flying high once again but have had a lot of problems on the road recently, with only one win in their last eight. I’m therefore backing Braunschweig to prevail on Sunday.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – ODD

All of the last three 2. Bundesliga encounters between these teams have been won by one goal. Back odd goals to be scored in Braunschweig’s favour at Eintracht Stadium this weekend.

HEAD TO HEAD

Braunschweig lost their last encounter against Regensburg 2-1 away. Overall, they have picked up three wins and only one defeat in front of their own fans against these opponents in all competitions.

SV Sandhausen - Erzgebirge Aue

Sandhausen to continue their unbeaten home run

TEAM NEWS

Sandhausen will be without Damian Rossbach, Philipp Klingmann, Mirco Born, Eroll Zejnullahu, Andrew Wooten and Ken Gibson who are all out due to injury concerns.

Aue have no new injury or suspension concerns. The only two players not at their disposal are Nicolai Rapp and Soren Bertram.

Sandhausen

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Damian Rossbach, Philipp Klingmann (both head); Andrew Wooten (pulled muscle), Ken Gibson (calf), Mirco Born (unspecified), Eroll Zejnullahu (knee)

Aue

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nicolai Rapp (foot), Soren Bertram (thigh)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Sandhausen lost against Union Berlin on Saturday, leaving Alte Forsterei with a 2-1 defeat. The SVS boys have now lost two of their past five, but they have picked up three wins in their last five on home soil in the league. Kenan Kocak’s men sit in sixth place and are still in the race for the playoffs.

Hannes Drew’s Aue managed to climb out of the drop zone with a crucial 2-1 win at home against fellow relegation candidates Kaiserslautern last Saturday. That result, which was only their first win in 2018, allowed them to leapfrog Bochum as they are now in 14^th place. Aue’s two league wins on the road both came early in the season and they have not won an away match since the middle of September.

Sandhausen go into this game having lost just once in five home league games. Since their 2-1 defeat against Heidenheim at the end of November, SVS have won three and drawn one on home soil. I think they should have enough to win this one, too.

SECOND PREDICTION: HALF TIME HAD – DRAW

Both teams have found it difficult to find the net in the first half in recent matches against each other. Four of the last seven meetings between these two sides have seen a scoreless draw to half time. I expect this pattern to continue here.

HEAD TO HEAD

There have only been one draw between Sandhausen and Aue in their last eight meetings while Sandhausen have claimed three victories.

Holstein Kiel - MSV Duisburg

Holstein Kiel to make home advantage count

TEAM NEWS

Holstein Kiel will have to do without the long-term injured Arne Sicker, Amara Conde and Manuel Janzer.

Enis Hajri is suspended and both Andreas Wiegel and Cauly Oliveira Souza are still on Duisburg’s list of absentees, but there have been no fresh injury worries for coach Ilija Gruev.

Holstein Kiel

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Manuel Janzer (Achilles), Arne Sicker (unspecified), Amara Conde (foot)

Duisburg

Suspended: Enis Hajri

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Andreas Wiegel (meniscus), Cauly Oliveira Souza (virus)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Holstein Kiel were beaten 3-2 at St. Pauli last Sunday afternoon. The club from Northern Germany are on a torrid run of form, winning just one of their past 13 league matches. Since beating Dresden 3-0 in early November at Holstein Stadium, Kiel have mustered up just eight points from an available 33. The Storks are still in third and despite facing a couple of setbacks here and there, Markus Anfang’s men will be confident they can keep hold of their playoff place.

Duisburg have been relentless in their quest for promotion of late. Since their 4-0 shock defeat at the Continental Arena against Regensburg in November, the Zebras have struck back with a staggering 18 points from an available 27. Ilja Gruev’s side have gone from mid-table to fourth place in no time. However, despite their tremendous form, Duisburg have won only one of the last three, as they beat Ingolstadt 2-1 at home last Saturday.

This is a big game for both, but I can see the Zebras leaving Holstein Stadium pointless. Anfang’s team have lost only one from 12 on home soil this term, so have a punt on Holstein Kiel to pick up their sixth 2. Bundesliga home win of the campaign this Saturday.

SECOND PREDICTION: TOTAL GOALS – FOUR

Holstein Kiel have scored 45 goals while Duisburg have netted 37 in 24 matches. With both teams scrapping for the points at Holstein Stadium, I can see goals in this one. Kiel’s last four league games have seen 3.75 total goals on average while there have been exactly four in Duisburg’s last five. Have a punt on four goals to be scored in Kiel.

HEAD TO HEAD

There has only been one game between these two in 2. Bundesliga when Duisburg hosted the reverse fixture last September. Holstein Kiel claimed a comfortable 3-1 victory.