Union Berlin - FC Heidenheim

Union to seal crucial home triumph on Saturday afternoon

TEAM NEWS

Union Berlin are missing the injured Sebastian Polter, Michael Parensen and Fabian Schonheim while Marvin Friedrich is absent with suspension.

Heidenheim have no injury concerns. Frank Schmidt can count on a fully fit squad for the clash at Alte Forsterei. However, Kolja Pusch and Maximilian Thiel are both absent due to suspension.

Union Berlin

Suspended: Marvin Friedrich

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Fabian Schonheim (knee), Sebastian Polter (Achilles), Michael Parensen (unspecified)

Heidenheim

Suspended: Kolja Pusch, Maximilian Thiel

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: None

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Since beating Sandhausen at the end of February, Union Berlin have picked up just six points from the last 18 on offer. In fact, the team have won only one of the last six, with the other matches ending in three draws and two defeats. As a consequence, chances of making it into the top three are now slim. Union registered their third win in 2018 last time out as they beat St. Pauli 1-0 away from home. 

Heidenheim produced one of the surprise results of the week at home against Dusseldorf in week 30. They set up with a very defensive-minded 4-4-1-1 formation and did well to frustrate Dusseldorf to gain a 3-1 win. Frank Schmidt’s men had been in poor form before that latest victory, having suffered four straight defeats. They are now in 13^thplace and have a disappointing goal difference of -7 while they still hold the worst record of goals against in 2. Bundesliga with 53 conceded. Not many positives come to mind when analysing Heidenheim’s season, but that unexpected win against leaders Dusseldorf may spark a rejuvenated spirit amongst the camp.

This is a massive fixture for both teams for different reasons. As unlikely as it is, Union are still holding out hope of making it into the promotion playoff place while Heidenheim will be desperate to grab a positive result as they are level on points with St Pauli in 16^th. However, I believe that home advantage could be the deciding factor on Saturday. I’m backing a Union Berlin win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – ODD 

Over 66% of the matches between these two sides have finished with odd total goals, so back the same outcome in Berlin this weekend.

HEAD TO HEAD

Union Berlin and Heidenheim have met on only three occasions at Alte Forsterei, with the hosts winning two and losing one of those matches. However, Heidenheim won the reverse fixture 4-3 at Voith Arena back in November and have in fact won in their last four encounters with Union Berlin, including one friendly. 

Jahn Regensburg - FC St. Pauli

Another triumph for Regensburg on Saturday

TEAM NEWS

Regensburg have no new injury or suspension concerns as only striker Sebastian Freis is absent with injury. Coach Achim Beierlorzer can count on a fully fit squad against St. Pauli.

St. Pauli’s Marc Hornschuh, Waldemar Sobota, Clemens Schoppenhauer, Svend Brodersen, Bernd Nehrig and Luca-Milan Zander are still absent but are all working on their comebacks.

Regensburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Sebastian Freis (stomach)

St. Pauli

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Marc Hornschuh (back), Waldemar Sobota (heel), Clemens Schoppenhauer (shoulder), Bernd Nehrig (calf), Luca-Milan Zander (thigh), Svend Brodersen (knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN 

Having gone three games without a win, Regensburg’s 2-1 success over Greuther Furth at Sportpark Ronhof last Friday was just what Achim Beierlorzer and his side needed. Jahn remain in fourth, five points behind the promotion playoff place with four games left. They have been hard to beat at Continental Arena of late, losing just three and winning eight of their last 12. A win here would allow them to put more pressure on Holstein Kiel in third.

Markus Kauczinski’s St. Pauli crashed to two damaging defeats in 2. Bundesliga over the past two weeks. After a 2-1 loss at Aue, St. Pauli were beaten by Union Berlin last weekend, via a 1-0 scoreline. Worryingly for St. Pauli, they have picked up no win since the end of February. The Hamburg club are occupying the relegation playoff spot in 16^th  and have a four-point lead over second-from-bottom Darmstadt. 

This is a huge fixture for both, but it is a game that neither side can afford to lose. However, St. Pauli have won just one of their last seven league fixtures and could struggle on Saturday again. I’m siding with a vital victory for the hosts here.

SECOND PREDICTION: TOTAL GOALS – THREE 

Three of Regensburg’s last six league matches have finished with three total goals while their last six average just over three too. I’ll back three total goals here too.

HEAD TO HEAD

In the one and only previous meeting between the two at Continental Arena, Regensburg thrashed St. Pauli 3-0 in September 2012. The teams held each other to a 2-2 draw earlier this season in their most recent encounter in Hamburg. 

Greuther Fürth - VfL Bochum

Visitors to run away with all three points

TEAM NEWS

Mathis Bolly will be the only player not at Greuther Furth’s disposal due to injury while Julian Green has received his fifth yellow card and is suspended against Bochum.

Bochum coach Robin Dutt has no injury concerns to deal with and can count on a fully fit squad. The only absent players are Stefano Celozzi and Maxim Leitsch but there should be suitable replacements for both.

Greuther Furth

Suspended: Julian Green

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Mathis Bolly (muscle)

Bochum

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Stefano Celozzi (pulled muscle), Maxim Leitsch (adductor)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Greuther Furth were brought back down to earth with a bang last Friday as they lost the Bavarian derby 2-1 to Regensburg at Sporthof Ronhof. Having not lost since late September on home soil, Friday’s defeat was a real shock to the system for Damir Buric’s side. The Shamrocks have spent the majority of their season in the bottom half of the table and have won ten, drawn seven and lost 13 of their 30 league matches thus far. Furth are only four points above the automatic relegation places and they will have to fight for every point to avoid slipping back into the bottom three.

Over the past ten games, no side have picked up more points than Bochum. Robin Dutt’s men have gone from strength to strength as the season has progressed, winning six, drawing two and losing two of their last ten, and they are now sitting in sixth in the table, six points adrift of the promotion playoff place. Bochum have also been exceptional on the road of late, winning their last three away league games in a row. They are coming off an important 3-2 home win against rock-bottom Kaiserslautern.

Greuther Furth may be fighting for their lives, but this will no doubt be another stern test for the Shamrocks. Although Greuther Furth are very strong at home I fancy in-form Bochum to seal another win under Dutt.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – EVEN 

Greuther Furth have hosted Bochum nine times at Sportpark Ronhof and seven from those matches have finished with even goals. With that in mind, back even goals to be scored on Friday night again.

HEAD TO HEAD

Nine of the last 19 league meetings between Greuther Furth and Bochum have ended level, with the most recent one finishing 1-1 last November. Greuther Furth have won six while Bochum have managed four victories in this head-to-head.

Eintr. Braunschweig - Arminia Bielefeld

Big three points for Eintracht on Friday

TEAM NEWS

Braunschweig have Christoffer Nyman out injured while Joseph Baffo has suffered a knee injury and is unavailable, too.

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

Braunschweig

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Joseph Baffo (knee), Christoffer Nyman (adductor)

Bielefeld

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nils Quaschner, Brian Behrendt (both knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Braunschweig have had a campaign to forget and Sunday’s 1-1 draw with second-from-bottom Darmstadt at Bollenfalltor extended their average run this season. With only eight wins, 14 draws and eight defeats, they are in 11^thplace and only one point above the drop zone. Torsten Lieberknecht’s side are clearly not out of the woods just yet and only wins will keep them away from more trouble over the upcoming four weeks.

Bielefeld have kept their slim playoff dreams alive after taking five points from their last three games. After back-to-back draws, Arminia managed to beat in-form Aue 2-0 at Schuco Arena last the weekend. Bielefeld are currently fifth in the 2. Bundesliga table, but a victory on Friday could see Jeff Saibene’s men go within three points of third place. 

Braunschweig’s form has picked up in recent games on home soil while Bielefeld have been inconsistent away from home of late, winning only one, drawing three and losing one of their last five on the road. I therefore fancy Braunschweig to come out on top in this one. 

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – BRAUNSCHWEIG

Braunschweig have scored the opening goal in their three recent consecutive home league wins. Back Torsten Lieberknecht’s Eintracht to score first in this one, too.

HEAD TO HEAD

There have been 15 goals scored in the last three meetings between Braunschweig and Bielefeld, which ended in one win for each team and one draw. Overall, Braunschweig have the edge on home soil with nine wins, one draw and one defeat.

FC Ingolstadt 04 - 1.FC Nürnberg

Promotion six-pointer in Bavarian derby

TEAM NEWS

Ingolstadt have a fully fit squad available, with the exception of Alfredo Morales who has been ruled out for the next few weeks.

Nurnberg’s key players Mikael Ishak and Sebastian Kerk will miss out with long-term injuries while Enis Alushi and Dennis Lippert are both unavailable with knee problems. 

Ingolstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Alfredo Morales (ill)

Nurnberg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

After winning two in a row, Ingolstadt were dealt a big setback at home against Bielefeld last Sunday afternoon as the game finished level at 2-2. The result has brought Stefan Leitl’s men back to earth but sitting in fourth, they are still in the hunt for promotion. The Schanzer remain five points behind third-placed Holstein Kiel and finishing in the playoffs is possible but they must not drop too many points in their last remaining five matches.

After going five games without a win, Nurnberg sealed a big victory over relegation candidates Heidenheim last Saturday. That 3-2 win at Max-Morlock-Stadium has put Michael Kollner’s men back on track to win the division. The club are three points behind Dusseldorf after the leaders lost 2-1 at home against Bochum last time out, and the top 2 teams could be level on points after this round.

The Bavarian derby is always a fascination encounter, but with this taking place at Audi Sportpark, it is an extremely tough one to call. I’m backing Sunday’s showdown to end in a draw.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST HALF HAD – DRAW  

Meetings between these two are always close matches, with the last two competitive encounters level at half time. Put some money on another half-time draw.

HEAD TO HEAD

Nurnberg have won three of the last five competitive meetings between the pair and there has been one draw.

SV Darmstadt 98 - Eintr. Braunschweig

Another draw seems likely between these two

TEAM NEWS

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

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 Steve Breitkreuz and Christoffer Nyman.

Darmstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Peter Niemeyer (foot), Joel Mall (shoulder)

Braunschweig

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Despite earning a decent 0-0 draw with promotion-chasing Holstein Kiel away from home last Saturday, Darmstadt are in real trouble in the table. The Liles are 17^thgoing into this match and four points from safety. Although they are on a six-match unbeaten run they haven’t been able to gain much ground on the teams above them. As a result, this game is clearly a six-pointer and almost the last chance for them to avoid the worst case scenario this season – their second relegation in a row.

Two winless games in a row has dragged Braunschweig back into the mire in the 2. Bundesliga table. After beating Duisburg 3-2 at the Eintracht Stadium before the international break, the team could only follow that up with a 2-0 defeat away at Bochum and a 1-1 draw with Dresden on their own turf. Nevertheless, Eintracht remain three points above the bottom three with five games left to play and they are more than capable of staying in the second tier.

On paper, this looks to be heading for a draw. Darmstadt and Braunschweig have drawn a combined 24 times this season, and I can see them playing out another such result at the weekend.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – LOW 

50% of their last six league meetings at Darmstadt have ended in 1-1 draws. Back another low-scoring draw at Bollenfalltor between this pair.

HEAD TO HEAD

Darmstadt have won four of their nine home meetings against Braunschweig, with the other matches ending in three draws and two defeats. The reverse fixture finished 2-2 at Eintracht Stadium last November.

FC Heidenheim - Fortuna Düsseldorf

Leaders to bounce back

TEAM NEWS

Heidenheim have no injury or suspension concerns. Frank Schmidt can count on a fully fit squad for the clash at Voith Arena.

Injured Gokhan Gul, Lukas Schmitz and Andre Hofmann will be missing the game for Dusseldorf once again while Kaan Ayhan is sidelined with a suspension.

Heidenheim

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: None

Dusseldorf

Suspended: Kaan Ayhan

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Gokhan Gul (head), Andre Hoffmann (unspecified), Lukas Schmitz (toe)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Despite a valiant effort at the Max Morlock Stadium last weekend, Heidenheim fell to their fourth straight defeat last time out as they were beatenh 3-2 by Nurnberg on away turf. Heidenheim have had a poor season to say the least, winning nine, drawing seven and losing 13 of their 29 games to sit in 16^thplace. Frank Schmidt’s men have won only two of their previous ten in the league. 

Dusseldorf’s lead at the top of the standings was cut to three points after their second defeat in a row last Friday as they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against Bochum at the Esprit Arena. Fortuna are still in an outstanding position though as they have a whopping 12-point lead over fourth-placed Ingolstadt. Friedhelm Funkel’s side have lost four of their last eight fixtures in the 2. Bundesliga and they will need to return to winning ways in the upcoming weeks.

Despite their alarming dip in form, Dusseldorf should have enough quality and resolve to see off lowly Heidenheim on Monday. I’m predicting a Fortuna win.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – ODD 

Both teams are in need of points and this could therefore be a close encounter at the Voith Arena, with one goal likely to be enough to win it. In fact, six of Dusseldorf’s last eight wins have come by one goal, so back odd goals to be scored in Heidenheim on Monday.

HEAD TO HEAD

These teams have only met three times in Heidenheim in the 2. Bundesliga. Two of those encounters were won by the hosts via 1-0 and 2-0 scorelines, while the other one finished in a 2-1 win for Dusseldorf. Back in November, the reverse fixture ended in a 2-2 draw.

Dynamo Dresden - Holstein Kiel

Dresden to take the points at DDV Arena

TEAM NEWS

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

Holstein Kiel will have to do without the long-term injured Amara Conde.

Dresden

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Pascal Testroet (knee), Soren Gonther (Achilles), Jannik Muller (ankle)

Holstein Kiel

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Amara Conde (foot)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Dresden’s results have improved of late, with the team winning one, drawing two and losing one of their previous four. After an excellent 1-1 draw with second-placed Nurnberg two weeks ago, Dresden earned another important point at even-matched Braunschweig last Sunday as they held them to another 1-1 result. Dynamo still have work to do in the race against the drop, but they now sit three points above the drop zone.

Third-placed Holstein Kiel remain four points behind Nurnberg in the race for the automatic promotion places. However, their scoreless draw against second-from-bottom Darmstadt last time out ensured that Kiel have once again wasted a good opportunity to bridge the gap to the teams above them. They will be conscious of Ingolstadt’s recent rise in the table as they are only holding a five-point lead over them.

Dresden have looked a different team at DDV-Arena over the past couple of months, having lost only once, and they should have enough quality to see off Kiel here. My money is on a Dresden victory. 

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – ODD 

Over 83% of the last six league meetings at Dresden between these teams have ended with odd goals. Back an odd scoreline in this match.

HEAD TO HEAD

Holstein Kiel’s 3-0 win on their own turf earlier in the season was the first fixture between these two sides in the 2. Bundesliga.

FC St. Pauli - Union Berlin

St. Pauli to make home advantage count

TEAM NEWS

St. Pauli’s Marc Hornschuh, Waldemar Sobota, Clemens Schoppenhauer, Svend Brodersen, Bernd Nehrig, Johannes Flum and Luca-Milan Zander are still absent but are all working on their comebacks. Additional they have to replace suspended Jeremy Dudziak who saw his fifth yellow card against Aue.

Union Berlin are missing the injured Sebastian Polter, Michael Parensen, Akaki Gogia and Fabian Schonheim.

St. Pauli

Suspended: Jeremy Dudziak

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Marc Hornschuh (back), Waldemar Sobota (heel), Clemens Schoppenhauer (shoulder), Bernd Nehrig (calf), Luca-Milan Zander (thigh); Svend Brodersen, Johannes Flum (Achilles)

Union Berlin

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Fabian Schonheim (knee), Sebastian Polter (Achilles), Michael Parensen (unspecified), Akaki Gogia (ligaments)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Not a single win in their last five 2. Bundesliga fixtures has left St. Pauli in a precarious position in the table. They have only managed three victories since the beginning of the year and lost their most recent fixture against in-form Aue 2-1 last Saturday. Since beating Holstein Kiel in February, St. Pauli have lost two and drawn three and they are now in 15^thwith only a three-point lead over Heidenheim in the relegation playoff spot.

Union Berlin are in a dangerous position after playing out a 0-0 draw at Alte Forsterei against Duisburg last time out. They have been on a poor run of form in 2018, having claimed only two wins in 11 matches. Having not won in nearly two months, Union are under pressure – like their opponents, only three points separates them from the dreaded bottom three, but on paper, they should be capable of staying in the second tier.

Neither team are in great form, but St. Pauli should be able to use their home advantage to get past sorry Union Berlin. I’ll be backing a home victory this Saturday.

SECOND PREDICTION: CORRECT SCORE – 2-1

Two of St. Pauli’s last three home victories against Union Berlin have come by a one-goal margin, via 2-1 scorelines. They have conceded one on average in their last four games, but have also been finding the net regularly of late. I’ll back them to win this clash 2-1 too.

HEAD TO HEAD

St. Pauli have picked up just one win in their last seven meetings against Union Berlin but they have the edge at home with four wins, three draws and one defeat.

MSV Duisburg - SV Sandhausen

Goals will flow in this one

TEAM NEWS

Lukas Daschner is still on Duisburg’s list of absentees, but there have been no fresh injury worries for coach Ilija Gruev.

Sandhausen will be without Philipp Klingmann, Tim Kister and Ken Gibson, who are all out due to injury concerns.

Duisburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Lukas Daschner (illness)

Sandhausen

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Philipp Klingmann (head), Ken Gibson (calf), Tim Kister (broken foot)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Duisburg have won just three games in the league in 2018. However, their 0-0 draw away at Union Berlin last time out did at least stop their four-match losing streak. Occupying tenth spot, the Zebras are eight points adrift of the promotion playoff spot and they have their work cut out, with five more matches left to play. Furthermore, having secured 38 points, they are mathematically not yet save from relegation.

Sandhausen are one place above their opponents, but are level on points. They held Greuther Furth to a scoreless draw at the Hardtwald Stadium last Friday and although they would have deserved all three points, coach Kenan Kocak was pleased with his men’s performance. However, Sandhausen remain winless in six and they have won just one of their last seven matches on the road.

There is not much between these teams, with both in uninspiring form of late. However, Duisburg will be looking to respond following their embarrassing 4-1 defeat to lowly Kaiserslautern in their last home outing and I fancy Ilja Gruev’s men to bounce back with a win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: TOTAL GOALS – THREE 

Both teams have been struggling. Furthermore, Duisburg have conceded at least one goal in nine of their last ten outings and Sandhausen in five of their last six matches. Given their poor defences, this may result in goals here. When these two met here in the league over the past two seasons, the games ended 3-0 and 2-1. I’ll back three total goals again here.

HEAD TO HEAD

Duisburg and Sandhausen have only met on two occasions at Schauinslandreisen Arena, with the hosts winning both of those matches. Duisburg also won the reverse fixture 1-0 at the Hardtwald Stadium back in November. They are in fact unbeaten in their five encounters with Sandhausen.

Arminia Bielefeld - Erzgebirge Aue

Hosts to nick this crucial clash at Schuco Arena

TEAM NEWS

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

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

Bielefeld

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nils Quaschner, Brian Behrendt (both knee)

Aue

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN 

Bielefeld are not giving up on the playoffs just yet as they sit six points off third-placed Holstein Kiel. Sunday’s 2-2 draw against rivals Ingolstadt at Audi Sportpark has given them a fighting chance. Arminia have lost only one of their last eight home games, winning three and drawing four in this period. Bielefeld have only lost four times at Schuco Arena in the league this season and Jeff Saibene’s team will be gunning for all three points this Saturday.

Aue have been like a machine in recent weeks, winning four and drawing four of their previous eight 2. Bundesliga matches. Last Saturday, goals from Clemens Fandrich and Mario Kvesic gave them a 2-1 win over strong travellers St. Pauli. The team are now sitting in eighth with ten wins, nine draws and ten defeats – they are only one point and two positions behind Bielefeld in the table.

These two are almost level on points in the table, but Bielefeld are certainly the better team. Arminia have only lost once at home this year and will see this match as a great opportunity to return to the playoff race. My money is on a Bielefeld win.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – ODD 

Five of Aue’s six away defeats have ended on odd goals while the same can be said about three of Bielefeld’s five home wins. I expect this trend to continue.

HEAD TO HEAD

Aue have not beaten Bielefeld in five attempts, losing twice during that spell. The reverse fixture finished in a 1-1 draw in Aue in November.

VfL Bochum - 1.FC Kaiserslautern

Back-to-back home wins for Bochum 

TEAM NEWS

Bochum coach Robin Dutt has no injury concerns to deal with and can count on a fully fit squad. The only absentees are the suspended Thomas Eisfeld, who saw two yellow cards against Dusseldorf last time out, and Danilo Soares, who collected his fifth yellow card in the same game. 

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

Bochum

Suspended: Thomas Eisfeld, Danilo Soares

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: None

Kaiserslautern

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Bochum are one of the in-form sides in the 2.Bundesliga as they are undefeated in six, winning four of those along the way. The VfL have been on an incredible run over the last couple of weeks suffering just three loss in ten 2.Bundesliga matches. As a result, Robin Dutt’s side have moved up to sixth place in the table. They won 2-1 away from home against leader Dusseldorf last time out and got a lot of self-confidence for this important home game against bottom side Kaiserslautern.

Kaiserslautern go into this huge fixgture at Vonovia Stadium in pretty average form. Since winning four and losing only two, Kaiserslautern have taken only five points from a possible 12 and drew at home against Regensburg in their most recent league outing. As a result, the Red Devils remain at the foot of the table in 2.Bundesliga, eight adrift of safety, making this a must-win match for Michael Frontzeck’s team.

Bochum have been flying of late and they should be able to see off lowly Kaiserslautern on Friday. With Bochum are only six points behind third-placed Holstein Kiel they are looking for more, back a VfL victory here.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST HALF HAD – DRAW 

Bochum have been drawing at half time in each of their last two home games against Kaiserslautern. Have a punt on this one to be level at the break too.

HEAD TO HEAD

Four of the last eight league meetings between Bochum and Kaiserslautern have ended level, with the last two finishing goalless. 

Greuther Fürth - Jahn Regensburg

Another huge three points for both

TEAM NEWS

Greuther Furth will only not have Mathis Bolly at their disposal.

Regensburg have no injury or suspension concerns as only defender Sebastian Nachreiner is absent with injury. Coach Achim Beierlorzer can count on a fully fit squad against Kaiserslautern.

Greuther Furth

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Mathis Bolly (muscle)

Regensburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Sebastian Nachreiner (navicular bone)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Greuther Furth have been moving up the table at a rate of knots in recent months as Damir Buric’s side have gone from relegation candidate to mid-table team since the turn of the year. The Shamrock have only lost two of their 11 matches in 2018 so far, having won five and drawn four of those games. However, they were lucky to secure a 0-0 draw at Hardtwald Stadium last Friday.

Regensburg remain in fifth spot despite taking just two points from the last nine on offer. Having drawn two and lost three of their last eight, Regensburg’s momentum has been dealt a huge blow and they only managed a disappointing 1-1 at bottom-of-the-league Kaiserslautern last Sunday. They are five points behind third-placed Holstein Kiel in the promotion playoff spot and with five matches left to play, Achim Beierlorzer’s men will need to return to winning ways as soon as possible.

Greuther Furth have looked a different team at home since mid-October, but Regensburg should have enough quality to see them off this weekend. My money is on an away victory.

SECOND PREDICTION: TOTAL GOALS – THREE 

Greuther Furth’s last three home games have seen exactly three total goals while Regensburg’s last three away matches average three total goals too. That trend looks set to continue here.

HEAD TO HEAD

Regensburg beat Greuther Furth 3-2 at home in the reverse fixture in November. That was the only competitive encounter between these teams over the last 14 years.