St. Pauli - Greuther Fürth

St. Pauli to seal routine home win this weekend

TEAM NEWS

St. Pauli's Marc Hornschuh, Richard Neudecker, Christopher Buchtmann, Marvin Knoll and Daniel Buballa are all injured and will not be available.

Greuther Furth's Yosuke Ideguchi and Daniel Steininger won't feature because of injury. Both Maximilian Wittek and Maximilian Sauer are suspended.

St. Pauli

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Marc Hornschuh (spinal disc); Marvin Knoll, Christopher Buchtmann (both pulled muscle); Richard Neudecker, Daniel Buballa (both calf)

Greuther Furth

Suspended: Maximilian Wittek, Maximilian Sauer

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Yosuke Ideguchi, Daniel Steininger (both knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

St. Pauli are a team in outstanding form, having won six, drawn four and lost only one of their last 11 matches in the league. After falling to a controversial 1-0 defeat against Holstein Kiel at Millerntor in late October, St. Pauli have struck back with three draws and two wins over the course of the last six weeks, including a 3-1 victory away at Bochum in round 16. Sitting in fourth, St. Pauli are now level on points with third placed Union Berlin and are in the race for the promotion/relegation playoff spot. 

Greuther Furth have lost three of their last four league matches, claiming just one win – a 3-2 victory over lowly Magdeburg – during that time. As if that wasn't enough, their leaky defence will give coach Damir Buric further headaches: His men have conceded four or more goals in each of those three defeats, or 13 combined. In contrast, Furth had shipped only 16 goals in their first 12 league matches. The side fell to a devastating 5-0 home loss against Aue last weekend. They went into half time 1-0 down but collapsed in the second half, conceding four times.

Greuther Furth go into this one on the back of a terrible run while St. Pauli are one of the league's in-form sides. They should be able to claim the three points against the struggling visitors in this one.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – ST. PAULI

St. Pauli have scored the opening goal in their last three league outings and will surely break the deadlock in this clash, too.

HEAD TO HEAD

Greuther Furth have won just once in their last six league meetings with St. Pauli, losing four times and drawing once. 

Union Berlin - VfL Bochum

Union Berlin to claim win against strong visitors

TEAM NEWS

Union Berlin will once again be without the long-term injured Marc Torrejon while Christopher Lenz and Fabian Schonheim are expected to return in due course. However, this league match will come too soon for them. Florian Hubner is suspended.

Bochum are still dealing with long-term absentees Jannik Bandowski, Milos Pantovic, Sebastian Maier, Maxim Leitsch, Robbie Kruse and Thomas Eisfeld.

Union Berlin

Suspended: Florian Hubner

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Marc Torrejon (calf), Christopher Lenz (pulled muscle), Fabian Schonheim (adductor)

Bochum

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Jannik Bandowski, Milos Pantovic, Thomas Eisfeld (all knee); Sebastian Maier (groin), Maxim Leitsch (pubis), Robbie Kruse (adductor)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN  

Union Berlin have been in very good form this term, winning six and drawing ten of their 16 league games thus far. Urs Fischer’s men have been on an incredible run this season, with no other team registering more than their 18 points at home, and they are sitting pretty in third place, six points behind leaders Hamburg and five behind Cologne in second. They held Magdeburg to a 1-1 draw away from home last weekend, with Akaki Gogia scoring their only goal, his fourth this season.

Bochum were brought back down to earth with a bang in their last league outing, falling to a shock 3-1 home defeat against fourth placed St. Pauli. That ended the team's seven-game undefeated run of three wins and four draws, which had seen them shoot up the table. Prior to losing to St. Pauli at Vonovia Stadium, Robin Dutt’s men were occupying fifth place, but they have now dropped down to seventh with four points separating them from Union Berlin in third.

Despite Bochum's recent disappointment, both teams are generally very hard to beat. Union Berlin are the only team yet to lose this term while Bochum have registered only one defeat in seven away league matches (one win, five draws). However, I expect Union Berlin to take the three points on home soil this weekend.

SECOND PREDICTION: CORRECT SCORE – 2-1

Three of the last four league meetings between the pair have finished 2-1 for the respective home side. Put some money on Union Berlin to win 2-1 again this weekend.

HEAD TO HEAD

Bochum’s last win over Union Berlin at Alte Forsterei came in a league meeting back in July 2013. Since then, Union have won all of their four home league encounters.

MSV Duisburg - Hamburger SV

Hamburg to edge past Duisburg

TEAM NEWS

Duisburg’s Christian Gartner will be out for the remainder of the year. Dustin Bomheuer and Thomas Blomeyer are not available either. The side will also have to replace Kevin Wolze who received his fifth yellow card in the last league outing and will miss through suspension.

Hamburg's Gideon Jung, Jairo Samperio, Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Matti Steinmann and Pierre-Michel Lasogga are still absent. 

Duisburg

Suspended: Kevin Wolze

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Christian Gartner (knee), Thomas Blomeyer (unspecified), Dustin Bomheuer (pulled muscle)

Hamburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Gideon Jung, Jairo Samperio (all knee); Matti Steinmann (adductor), Pierre-Michel Lasogga (pulled muscle)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Duisburg's results have been mixed since manager Torsten Lieberknecht took over in early October, having won three, drawn two and lost three. However, back-to-back defeats in their last two league outings will have got the new boss worried, particularly given the fact that they conceded four goals in each of those losses. The team lost 4-0 at home to fifth placed Holstein Kiel two rounds ago before succumbing to a 4-1 away defeat at sixth placed Heidenheim last weekend. With only two teams shipping more goals this season and the side enjoying a lead of only two points over the bottom three, Lieberknecht will have to find a solution to his leaky defence quickly. 

Leaders Hamburg have not lost since a home defeat to Jahn Regendsburg in mid-September, winning six and drawing four since. They clinched win number ten last time out as they saw off Paderborn in a 1-0 home victory and have the second best away record in Germany's second tier, winning six and drawing one.

Hamburg are on an excellent run and should have no problem easing past strugglers Duisburg. Back the visitors to run out comfortable winners in this one.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – HAMBURG

Hamburg have scored the opening goal in four of their last five league matches, with all of them ending in wins, while Duisburg have conceded first in their last two league fixtures. Take a punt on Hamburg to score first here.

HEAD TO HEAD

These two have only met in the top flight, with their most recent league encounters dating back to 2007-08. Both teams registered a 1-0 away win then.

Holstein Kiel - Arminia Bielefeld

Holstein Kiel too strong for struggling Bielefeld

TEAM NEWS

Arne Sicker, Aaron Seydel, Steven Lewerenz, Masaya Okugawa and Philipp Sander continue to be out at Holstein Kiel. 

Bielefeld's Nils Quaschner, Sven Schipplock, Joan Simun Edmundsson, Roberto Massimo and Cedric Brunner have all been ruled out.

Holstein Kiel

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Arne Sicker, Philipp Sander (both unspecified); Aaron Seydel (heel), Steven Lewerenz (back), Masaya Okugawa (pulled muscle)

Bielefeld

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nils Quaschner, Sven Schipplock, Cedric Brunner (all knee); Joan Simun Edmundsson (ligament), Roberto Massimo (not fit)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Holstein Kiel are one of the in-form sides in Germany’s second division at the moment, having won five, drawn three and lost only one of their last nine league games. Having been unbeaten since early October (four wins, three draws), the team are quickly moving up the table and are now sitting in fourth, knocking on the door of the promotion/relegation playoff place. Kiel are coming off a 2-0 win away form home to Dresden, their third league win on the bounce.

Having gone nine league games without a win, drawing three and losing six, Jeff Saibene’s Bielefeld have been moving to the complete opposite end of the table, although they have been stable over the last five rounds, occupying 15^thplace, despite clinching only three points from the last 12 on offer. Since winning 2-1 away to Darmstadt back in late September, they have not been able to grab another victory, losing six and drawing three times. However, back-to-back draws against Paderborn away (2-2) and Sandhausen at home (1-1) over the last two rounds have shown that the team are improving.

Holstein Kiel have been solid at home where they are still unbeaten this term with three wins and four draws. They are generally in very good shape and I can see them nicking this one.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST HALF HAD – HOME WIN

Holstein Kiel have been leading at the interval in two of their last three league games. Bielefeld, meanwhile, have failed to score a first-half goal in their last four league fixtures. Back Holstein Kiel to be winning at half time.

HEAD TO HEAD

There have been only four league meetings between these sides, with Holstein Kiel winning twice and two draws.

VfL Bochum - FC St. Pauli

Bochum to make it back-to-back home wins

TEAM NEWS

Bochum are still dealing with long-term absentees Jannik Bandowski, Milos Pantovic, Sebastian Maier, Maxim Leitsch, Robbie Kruse and Thomas Eisfeld while Lee Chung Yong is missing with suspension.

St. Pauli's Marc Hornschuh, Richard Neudecker and Christopher Buchtmann are all injured and will not be available against Bochum.

Bochum

Suspended: Lee Chung Yong

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Jannik Bandowski, Milos Pantovic, Thomas Eisfeld (all knee); Sebastian Maier (groin), Maxim Leitsch (pubis), Robbie Kruse (adductor)

St. Pauli

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Marc Hornschuh (spinal disc), Christopher Buchtmann (pulled muscle) Richard Neudecker (calf)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Bochum have been performing well in Germany’s second tier of late. Following back-to-back defeats in late September, the team started an excellent unbeaten run with three of their last seven league matches ending in wins, along with four draws. However, they will have been disappointed after managing only a 0-0 draw against bottom-of-the-league Magdeburg at MDCC Arena last weekend. Bochum are sitting in fifth in the table on 24 points from a possible 45, only three behind the promotion/relegation playoff spot.

Since their 1-0 home defeat against Holstein Kiel in late October, St. Pauli have been hitting back, with six points from their last four league matches (one win, three draws). After winning 2-1 at Bielefeld, they have battled to three 1-1 draws against Heidenheim, Jahn Regensburg and Dresden in a row. Despite starting the season with three losses and two wins in five league games, St. Pauli have been on a good run of late with only one defeat in their last ten league outings (five wins, four draws). They are sitting in an excellent fourth spot with 25 points, only two behind third placed Union Berlin.

Both teams are coming off good runs and have been in form, but I’m backing Bochum to seal back-to-back wins at Vonovia Stadium here. Put your money on Bochum to prevail.

SECOND PREDICTION: CORRECT SCORE – 1-0

Four of Bochum's five home wins in the league have come with clean sheets, with three of them 1-0 victories. Meanwhile, St. Pauli’s last league defeat also arrived via the same scoreline. Expect a 1-0 win for the home team.

HEAD TO HEAD

St. Pauli have won five and drawn three of their last eight league meetings with Bochum, scoring 18 times in the process.

FC Magdeburg - Union Berlin

Magdeburg to put poor home form to bed with the first win

TEAM NEWS

Magdeburg boss Michael Oenning will not be able to count on Rico Preissinger and Aleksandar Ignjovski, who remain out injured. 

Union Berlin will once again be without the long-term injured Marc Torrejon while Christopher Lenz and Fabian Schonheim are expected to return soon. However, this league match will come too soon for them.

Magdeburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Rico Preissinger (foot), Aleksandar Ignjovski (elbow)

Union Berlin

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Marc Torrejon (calf), Christopher Lenz (pulled muscle), Fabian Schonheim (adductor)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Magdeburg have started life under Michael Oenning with an unlucky 3-2 defeat at Greuther Furth in round 14 and a 0-0 home draw with Bochum last weekend. Despite having more shots on target, they were unable to find the back of the net. However, that draw ended a five-match losing streak, a run during which they conceded exactly three goals on four occasions. Overall, it is far to say that Magdeburg have had an abysmal start to their league campaign with only ten points from 15 league games. However, the last two league matches will have given them hope of having turned a corner.

Union Berlin have still not lost in the league this season (six wins, nine draws) and are coming off an easy 3-1 home win over struggling Darmstadt. Urs Fischer’s men have been one of the in-form teams in Germany’s second tier recently and are in third, but five of their last seven league matches have been draws. 

Oenning appears to be providing Magdeburg with a much-needed boost and the team will be hoping to keep their unbeaten run going. Their home league match against Union Berlin will no doubt be tough, but I have a feeling the hosts will win here, registering their first home win this season. 

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST HALF HAD – DRAW

Magdeburg have been drawing at half time in ten of their 15 league matches – the joint highest record when it comes to this statistic. I predict another first-half draw here.

HEAD TO HEAD

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

Dynamo Dresden - Holstein Kiel

Holstein Kiel to soar to another three points

TEAM NEWS

Dresden's Marco Hartmann, Patrick Moschl and Florian Ballas have been ruled out. In addition, Linus Wahlqvist is sidelined after suffering an injury in training.

Arne Sicker, Mathias Honsak, Aaron Seydel, Steven Lewerenz and Philipp Sander continue to be out at Holstein Kiel. 

Dresden

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Florian Ballas (shoulder), Marco Hartmann (rib), Patrick Moschl (hamstring), Linus Wahlqvist (unspecified)

Holstein Kiel

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Arne Sicker, Philipp Sander (both unspecified); Mathias Honsak (broken arm), Aaron Seydel (heel), Steven Lewerenz (back)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

After a slow start to their season, Dresden have really turned a corner of late, becoming one of the in-form teams in the league. The team have been in good shape of late, losing only once in their last seven league matches, along with two wins and four draws. They only managed to draw 1-1 away at St. Pauli last weekend, but will have been pleased to walk away with that point, equalising four minutes from time. Sitting in 11^th, they are 12 points above the relegation zone and are trailing third placed Union Berlin by only five points. 

Holstein Kiel’s form has improved a lot lately. Tim Walter’s side have gone six league games unbeaten (three wins, three draws) after thrashing Duisburg 4-0 away in their most recent league outing. Their excellent recent run has put them up to sixth with 24 points.

Since losing 2-1 to Aue on their travels back in October, Holstein Kiel have been unbeaten and although Dresden appear to be improving I think the guests should be far too strong them. I'm going with an away win.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – HIGH

Over 85% of the teams' league meetings at DDV Arena have seen three total goals or more. With both teams in good shape I expect a high-scoring league encounter in this one, too.

HEAD TO HEAD

Holstein Kiel won both league encounters last season, beating Dresden 3-0 at home and 4-0 on the road.

Arminia Bielefeld - SV Sandhausen

Bielefeld to take all three points

TEAM NEWS

Bielefeld's Nils Quaschner, Sven Schipplock, Joan Simun Edmundsson, Julian Borner and Cedric Brunner have all been ruled out.

Sandhausen’s Tim Knipping, Erik Zenga, Tim Kister and Nejmeddin Daghfous are all out with different injuries while Daniel Linsmayer saw his fifth yellow card last weekend and is suspended.

Bielefeld

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nils Quaschner, Sven Schipplock, Cedric Brunner (all knee); Joan Simun Edmundsson (ligament), Julian Borner (infect)

Sandhausen

Suspended: Daniel Linsmayer

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Tim Knipping (broken foot), Erik Zenga (muscle), Tim Kister (broken foot), Nejmeddin Daghfous (knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN 

Bielefeld secured a precious point in their local derby against Paderborn last weekend, with Andreas Voglsammer and Fabian Klos registering the goals for the club in a 2-2 away draw. However, they were denied their first victory since late September by a Paderborn goal in the 90^thminute. Bielefeld have not been successful of late, with only two points from their last eight league matches. However, those two draws have arrived in their last three league fixtures. At home, Jeff Saibene’s men have won twice and drawn once so far, but they have lost the last four on the bounce in front of their own fans. 

Sandhausen fell to their second consecutive defeat last weekend, losing 2-1 to Heidenheim despite taking the lead very early in the game. Gerhard Kleppinger’s side have won just two, drawn four and lost nine of their 15 fixtures in the league and they are winless in their last five league fixtures (two draws, three losses). Sitting second from bottom, Sandhausen have taken a mere ten points from 30 on offer and are three points from safety.

Bielefeld will fancy their chances of getting back to winning ways against their struggling opponents despite registering disappointing results of late. The hosts should be able to take all three points from this one.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – ODD

Odd total goals have been scored in Bielefeld’s last three league matches at Schuco Arena this season. I predict odd total goals here too. 

HEAD TO HEAD

Bielefeld have a good recent record in this head-to-head, winning three and drawing two of their last six league meetings, along with one loss.

Greuther Fürth - Erzgebirge Aue

Greuther Furth to seal fourth home win of the season

TEAM NEWS

Greuther Furth's Yosuke Ideguchi and Daniel Steininger won't feature because of injury. Both Maximilian Wittek and Maximilian Sauer are suspended.

Goalkeeper Robert Jendrusch and defender Luke Hemmerich are the only two absentees for Aue.

Greuther Furth

Suspended: Maximilian Wittek, Maximilian Sauer

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Yosuke Ideguchi, Daniel Steininger (both knee)

Aue

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Robert Jendrusch (meniscus), Luke Hemmerich (ankle)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN 

Greuther Furth have dropped down to eighth after finding themselves at the receiving end of a 4-0 thrashing away at second placed Cologne last weekend. They have now won only one of their past five league matches, along with one draw and three losses. The Shamrock drew a blank in each of those three defeats, conceding ten goals in the process. However, they are still only four points below third placed Union Berlin. 

After three defeats in a row, Aue secured a vital point over Jahn Regensburg last weekend, with a 1-1 draw at home. The team have been sitting in 13^thplace since round nine and could do with a win in order to attempt their ascent into the top half. However, the Viola have picked up just four points away from home this term, with rock-bottom Ingolstadt taking even fewer (two points).

Greuther Furth are still unbeaten at home, winning three and drawing four of their seven league games at Sportpark Ronhof so far. They should be able to squeeze past Aue, so my money is going on a narrow home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – GREUTHER FURTH

Greuther Furth have scored the opening goal in four of their last six home league matches while Aue have conceded first in six of the eight league games on their travels. I’ll be backing Greuther Furth to net the opener this weekend, too.

HEAD TO HEAD

Greuther Furth have won their last five home league meetings against Aue, with the latest a 2-1 victory in October 2017. 

FC Heidenheim - MSV Duisburg

Heidenheim to grab back-to-back victories 

TEAM NEWS

Heidenheim will be without the injured Robert Glatzel and the suspended Niklas Dorsch.

Duisburg’s Christian Gartner will be out for the remainder of the year. Borys Tashchy, Dustin Bomheuer and Thomas Blomeyer are not available either.

Heidenheim

Suspended: Niklas Dorsch

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Robert Glatzel (torn ligament)

Duisburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Christian Gartner (knee), Borys Tashchy (groin), Thomas Blomeyer (unspecified) Dustin Bomheuer (pulled muscle)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

After two league games without a win (one draw, one defeat), Heidenheim secured a narrow 2-1 triumph over second-from-bottom Sandhausen away from home last weekend. That was Heidenheim’s second victory in the last four league matches, having drawn one and lost one. Frank Schmidt’s men will be pleased with their tally of 23 points so far, having won six, drawn five and lost four of their 15 league fixtures. They are currently sitting in seventh, four points off third placed Union Berlin.

After two wins and two draws, Duisburg fell to a disappointing 4-0 home loss against a very motivated Holstein Kiel team. After starting their campaign with six defeats and two draws, Torsten Lieberknecht’s side had been finding it impossible to climb out of the bottom zone, but their recent unbeaten run had brought them back to life. However, following last weekend's heavy defeat, they are only three points above the drop zone and in need of points. With two wins, four draws and only two defeats they are much more dangerous on the road than on home soil, where they have secured only three of their 13 points.

Heidenheim have lost only twice on home soil and will be keen to get back to winning ways here after losing their last home league game 5-1 to Paderborn. Duisburg have improved lately, but their 4-0 defeat last time out may have had an impact on their confidence. I’m backing a Heidenheim win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – ODD

Three of Heidenheim’s last four wins have come by one-goal margins. Put some money on odd total goals to be scored in this one as well.

HEAD TO HEAD

The teams have met just twice at Voith Arena over the last five years, with each side winning once.

SV Darmstadt 98 - FC Ingolstadt 04

All square between two bottom-half teams

TEAM NEWS

Rouven Sattelmaier and Selim Gunduz remain on the sidelines at Darmstadt through injury while captain Aytac Sulu is suspended.

Ingolstadt will be without Christian Trasch, Joey Breitfeld and Tobias Schrock.

Darmstadt

Suspended: Aytac Sulu

Doubtful: None

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

Ingolstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Christian Trasch, Joey Breitfeld (both knee); Tobias Schrock (thigh)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Darmstadt could do with a positive result in this home league fixture after crashing to three consecutive defeats. Dirk Schuster’s side have in fact lost eight of their 15 league matches so far this season, winning only five and drawing two along the way. Last weekend’s 3-1 away defeat to third placed Union Berlin was the Lilies' fifth defeat on the road of the season. However, they have had much more success on their own turf where they have secured 13 of their 17 points.

The pressure is really starting to mount at Ingolstadt as the team fell to yet another defeat last weekend. The Schanzer crashed to their eighth loss in the last 11 league games, losing 2-1 at home to leaders Hamburg. The other three league matches during that run have been draws. The Schanzer continue to be rooted to the bottom of the table and are five points from safety. Their only league win has come on home soil while away from home they have only claimed two points from a possible 21. New coach Jens Keller will make his debut in the dugout this weekend and clearly has his work cut out. 

Having fallen to disappointing defeats last time out, this is an important league fixture for both of them and I can see the pair playing out a draw.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – LOW

Darmstadt have scored only once in their last three league outings while Ingolstadt have found the net twice in their last three league encounters. I’m predicting a low-scoring affair between two struggling teams here.

HEAD TO HEAD

Darmstadt have not beaten Ingolstadt since a top-flight meeting back in 2016, losing three and drawing one of the four league encounters since then.

Jahn Regensburg - 1.FC Köln

Cologne to end hosts' unbeaten run with away win

TEAM NEWS

Jahn Regensburg have four injured players to deal with as Oliver Hein, Sebastian Nachreiner, Jonas Fohrenbach and Julian Derstroff have been ruled out.

Cologne's list of absentees consists of Nikolas Nartey, Christian Clemens, Jonas Hector and Lasse Sobiech. 

Jahn Regensburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Oliver Hein, Sebastian Nachreiner (both knee); Jonas Fohrenbach (ankle), Julian Derstroff (pulled muscle)

Cologne

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nikolas Nartey (foot), Christian Clemens (ligament rupture), Lasse Sobiech (broken toe), Jonas Hector (knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Regensburg are coming off a 1-1 draw against Aue and are now on a ten-game unbeaten run, consisting of four wins and six draws. Achim Beierlorzer’s side came from behind after going 1-0 down in the ninth minute, equalising a few minutes later. However, they were the better side and should have won their last league outing, missing too many good attempts. Regensburg's outstanding run sees them sitting in tenth, but they have won only twice on their own turf this season, drawing four and losing one.

Since having to give up their position at the top of the standings last month, Cologne have won each of their last three games in the league and are currently only one point adrift of leaders Hamburg. Markus Anfang’s side have been on fire of late, scoring an incredible 15 goals in an 8-1 home win over Dresden, 3-0 away victory against Darmstadt and 4-0 home success on their own turf against Greuther Furth last weekend. They should without a doubt be strong candidates for promotion. Only Hamburg are beating them when it comes to Cologne's away form, having secured 16 points from 21 on offer. 

Regensburg may be hard to break down at the moment, but I consider Cologne a class above the hosts and expect them to inflict a first defeat in nearly three months on the home team. This will be an away win.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – COLOGNE

Cologne have scored the opening goal in their last three league matches, with all of them ending in wins, while Jahn Regensburg have conceded first in three of their last four league fixtures. Take a punt on Cologne to score first here.

HEAD TO HEAD

The sides have met only twice so far in league action, with Cologne winning 3-2 away and 2-1 at home in 2012-13.

Hamburger SV - SC Paderborn

Hamburg to continue their unbeaten run under Hannes Wolf with another win

TEAM NEWS

Hamburg's Gideon Jung, Jairo Samperio, Kyriakos Papadopoulos and Matti Steinmann, Pierre-Michel Lasogga are still absent. 

Coach Steffen Baumgart has a fully-fit Paderborn team at his disposal, only Leon Fesser is out with a thigh injury.

Hamburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Gideon Jung, Jairo Samperio (all knee); Matti Steinmann (adductor), Pierre-Michel Lasogga (pulled muscle)

Paderborn

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Leon Fesser (thigh)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Hamburg are at the top of Germany's second division with a one-point lead over second placed Cologne after bagging a fourth win in five league games (along with one draw) since coach Hannes Wolf's arrival. The team registered a 2-0 win at Ingolstadt last weekend, with Aaron Hunt and Hawng Hee chan both finding themselves on the scoresheet. At home, they are unbeaten since losing 5-0 to Regensburg in round six, having won one and drawn three since.

Paderborn were held to a 2-2 draw against Bielefeld in a local derby last time out, which means they have lost only one of their last eight league fixtures, having won three and drawn four. Despite remaining unbeaten on their own turf (two wins, six draws) and registering all their three league defeats on the road, they have claimed one more win on their travels than at home. However, they have been switching between wins and losses in their last five away league fixtures and have been unable to record the same outcome twice in a row so far. 

Looking at Hamburg’s superb form and Paderborn’s fluctuating away results, I can only see one winner in this one. Put your money on an entertaining home victory.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – HIGH

Hamburg's last three league fixtures have produced 11 total goals while Paderborn's most recent three league matches have seen a remarkable 18 total goals. I can see plenty of total goals between these two sides, too.

HEAD TO HEAD

These two have met only twice in the top flight so far, with each side registering a 3-0 away victory in 2014-15.

MSV Duisburg - Holstein Kiel

Duisburg to climb further up the table with home win

TEAM NEWS

Duisburg’s Christian Gartner will be out for the remainder of the year. Joseph-Claude Gyau, Cauly Oliveira Souza, Cauly and Sebastian Neumann are not available either.

Arne Sicker, Mathias Honsak, Aaron Seydel and Philipp Sander continue to be out at Holstein Kiel. 

Duisburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Christian Gartner (knee), Joseph-Claude Gyau (foot), Sebastian Neumann (hip), Cauly Oliveira Souza (ankle), Cauly (thigh)

Holstein Kiel

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Duisburg have been in good form of late as Torsten Lieberknecht’s troops have won two and drawn two of their past four matches in the league to fire themselves up to 15^thplace in the table. The side had previously occupied a spot in the drop zone. During their four-game unbeaten run, Duisburg have conceded just one goal, scoring four along the way. After drawing 0-0 with Sandhausen before the international break, a Ahmet Engin goal in the 82^ndminute was enough to give the Zebras a 1-0 win away from home over Bielefeld in the last round.

Holstein Kiel are coming off a great run of results themselves, picking up an impressive 12 points from seven very tough league fixtures, beating Darmstadt 4-2 and St. Pauli 1-0 whilst drawing with Cologne, Ingolstadt and Paderborn. Last weekend, Tim Walter’s men earned a narrow 2-1 win over strugglers Sandhausen on home soil. Their only defeat during that time came against Aue 2-1 at the beginning of October. Holstein Kiel are now ninth in the table on 21 points from 14 league games.

Duisburg will be eager to claim their second home win of the season, having found their form of late. Despite hovering just above the bottom  three, they are one of the in-form side at present and I think their recent results will give them the confidence to grab all three points here. 

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – DUISBURG

Duisburg have scored the opening goal in three of their last four league outings, winning two and drawing two in the process. Holstein Kiel have opened the scoring just once in their last four league fixtures. Put some money on the home team to strike first.

HEAD TO HEAD

Holstein Kiel won both league encounters last season, beating Duisburg 5-0 at home and 3-1 on the road.