Jahn Regensburg - Arminia Bielefeld

Bielefeld to make it three wins from three

TEAM NEWS
Jahn Regensburg's Adrian Fein has been ruled out for several weeks.

Bielefeld's Nils Quaschner, Sven Schipplock, Tom Schutz and Christopher Nothe will be sidelined.

Jahn Regensburg
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Adrian Fein (knee)

Bielefeld
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Nils Quaschner, Sven Schipplock, Christopher Nothe (all knee); Tom Schutz (pulled muscle)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN
Jahn Regensburg have spent the majority of the season in mid-table, despite losing only twice in their last 15 league matches (six wins, seven draws). After beating in-form Paderborn 2-0 at Continental Arena in their first league match in 2019, Achim Beierlorzer’s side suffered their first away defeat since early September last time out, losing 2-0 at promotion contenders Holstein Kiel.

Bielefeld registered an unexpected win over high-flying Hamburg at home in round 20, beating the leaders 2-0 as their improved form continued. The team have been difficult to beat since mid-November, losing only twice whilst winning three and drawing three times. Two of those victories have been against sides in the top five. Bielefeld have also been decent on their travels lately, winning two and drawing two of their last four league matches away from home.

Jahn Regensburg are not an easy team to take on on home turf, but last week's famous win over the table toppers will have given the visitors the belief that they can grab a third victory in a row here. I am siding with the away side.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – HIGH
The last four league meetings between these sides have resulted in at least three total goals.  In the last two league encounters alone, 13 goals have been scored in total. I expect goals to flow here too.

HEAD TO HEAD
Bielefeld have won three, drawn one and lost only one of their last five league meetings with Jahn Regensburg.

FC St. Pauli - Union Berlin

St. Pauli to make home advantage count

TEAM NEWS
St. Pauli's Philipp Ziereis and Henk Veerman are both injured and will not be available for the rest of the season.

Union Berlin will once again be without Joshua Mees, who is still injured.

St. Pauli
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Philipp Ziereis, Henk Veerman (both knee)

Union Berlin
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Joshua Mees (pulled muscle)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN
St. Pauli crashed to a 2-1 defeat against Darmstadt at Bollenfalltor in midweek. After an incredible seven-match unbeaten run, consisting of four wins and three draws, they have lost for the first time since late October. That result was a little setback in their race for promotion, but they are still in a good position, sitting third with 34 points to their name and only two points behind Cologne in second.

Union Berlin have been very hard to beat this campaign, losing just one league games since August. Union had in fact gone 17 league matches unbeaten (seven wins, ten draws) before losing their final league game in 2018 3-0 to Aue away from home. They started the new year with a 2-0 win against one of the top promotion candidates, Cologne, at home.

St. Pauli have won ten of their 19 league games so far, with only leaders Hamburg (12) and second Cologne (11) winning more. Union Berlin will be hard to beat at Millerntor, but I expect the home side to prevail.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – ST. PAULI
St. Pauli have scored first in their last six league matches while Union Berlin have conceded first in their last two away league games. I’m backing the home side to open the scoring again here.

HEAD TO HEAD
Union Berlin are unbeaten in their last eight league meetings against St. Pauli, winning six and drawing two.

SV Sandhausen - VfL Bochum

Bochum to pile more misery on the home side

TEAM NEWS
Sandhausen’s Alexander Rossipal, Tim Kister, Maximilian Jansen and Nejmeddin Daghfous are all out with different injuries.

Bochum are still dealing with long-term absentees Jannik Bandowski, Milos Pantovic, Maxim Leitsch and Baris Ekincier.

Sandhausen
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Tim Kister (broken foot), Alexander Rossipal (ankle), Nejmeddin Daghfous (knee), Maximilian Jansen (unspecified)

Bochum
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Jannik Bandowski, Milos Pantovic (both knee); Maxim Leitsch (pubis), Baris Ekincier (unspecified)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN
Sandhausen have struggled so far this term, with Uwe Koschinat’s men dropping down to the drop zone after a 2-1 loss away from home against leaders Hamburg last time out. The side have not won since thumping rock-bottom Ingolstadt 4-0 at home back in October, drawing five and losing four of their following nine league matches. They are level on points with both of the teams below them and only one point from safety.

After losing back-to-back league games against St. Pauli (3-1) and Union Berlin (2-0), Bochum hit back in style with back-to-back wins. They scored both goals of their vital 2-1 midweek win at home over bottom side Duisburg in the first half before their lowly opponents netted a late consolation goal. That was Bochum's sixth home win of the season, but on the road they have registered only two victories, along with five draws and two losses. Nevertheless, their recent results mean Robin Dutt’s side have moved back into the race for promotion, trailing the top three by only four points.

This is a big league game for both teams given their respective positions in table. However, Bochum will have more self-belief after their last two performances while they also have one more day of rest. I fancy them to clinch an away win.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – LOW
Five of the teams' last six league meetings at Hardtwald Stadium have ended with only two total goals or fewer. I expect this trend to continue.

HEAD TO HEAD
Sandhausen have won just one of their last ten league fixtures against Bochum, losing four and drawing five.

Holstein Kiel - Jahn Regensburg

Holstein Kiel to edge tight league contest at Holstein Stadium

TEAM NEWS
Aaron Seydel, Masaya Okugawa and David Kinsombi continue to be out for Holstein Kiel.

Jahn Regensburg's Adrian Fein has been ruled out for the next few weeks.

Holstein Kiel
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Aaron Seydel (heel), Masaya Okugawa (pulled muscle), David Kinsombi (shinbone)

Jahn Regensburg
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Adrian Fein (knee)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN 
Holstein Kiel came from behind to seal a 2-2 draw over Heidenheim at Voith Arena in midweek, with the equaliser arriving from an own goal nine minutes from time. That result kept Holstein Kiel only three points below the top three, with the team coming off a run of five wins, three draws and only one defeat in their last nine league outings. On home turf, they have been very hard to beat this season, having lost only one of their nine home league matches along with four draws and four wins.

Jahn Regensburg started the new year with a solid 2-0 win over Paderborn at home in midweek. That success was only their third victory in the last eleven league games (seven draws, one defeat), but it kept Achim Beierlorzer’s men in an excellent eighth place, only five points behind third placed Union Berlin. Jahn Regensburg have been superb on the road, taking 16 of their 29 points away from Continental Arena.

With both teams in good shape, this can go either way, but I believe in Holstein Kiel’s home strength and fancy them to claim a win against in-form Jahn Regensburg.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – HIGH
Jahn Regensburg have scored 23 times on the road – the highest in the league. Holstein Kiel, meanwhile, have registered 18 goals on their own turf, with only Cologne, Union Berlin and Paderborn having scored more. A high-scoring league encounter is on the cards.

HEAD TO HEAD
Holstein Kiel are unbeaten in their last eight league meetings, with five wins and three draws.

Erzgebirge Aue - 1.FC Köln

Cologne to return home with all three points

TEAM NEWS
Steve Breitkreuz is the only absentee for Aue.

Cologne's list of absentees consists of Louis Schaub, Lasse Sobiech, Marco Hoger, Vincent Koziello and Matthias Lehmann.

Aue
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Steve Breitkreuz (knee)

Cologne
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Louis Schaub (acro oedema), Lasse Sobiech (adductor); Marco Hoger, Vincent Koziello (both ligaments); Matthias Lehmann (Achilles)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN
Aue were beaten 1-0 by Magdeburg at MDCC Arena in midweek, which was their seventh loss on the road during this campaign. However, Aue have been strong in front of their own fans, winning four, drawing three and losing only two of their nine home league fixtures, while they have conceded only ten goals in those league matches, with Union Berlin the only team to have shipped even fewer (five). Before the winter break, Aue were in good shape, registering draws with Jahn Regensburg and Darmstadt whilst registering wins over Greuther Furth and then-unbeaten Union Berlin.

Cologne were defeated only their final league game in 2018 and winning the five league matches prior to that. The team travelled to fellow promotion candidates Union Berlin in midweek and kicked off the new year with a 2-0 loss. The result means they remain in second, trailing leaders Hamburg by four points.

Cologne have been the second best team on the road so far. Although Aue have a good home record giants Cologne are on another level. I fancy the visitors to secure a vital win at Erzgebirgs Stadium this weekend.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – EVEN
The last three times these team met at Erzgebirgs Stadium there have been even total goals. Have a punt on even total goals in this one.

HEAD TO HEAD
Aue have failed to beat Cologne in their last four league meetings, drawing one and losing three.

Arminia Bielefeld - Hamburger SV

Hamburg to get back to winning ways on the road

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

Hamburg's Jairo Samperio, Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Stephan Ambrosius, Matti Steinmann and Aaron Hunt won't feature.

Bielefeld
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Nils Quaschner, Sven Schipplock, Cedric Brunner (all knee); Joan Simun Edmundsson (ligament), Roberto Massimo (not fit)

Hamburg
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Jairo Samperio, Stephan Ambrosius (all knee); Aaron Hunt (calf), Matti Steinmann (illness)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN  

Uwe Neuhaus' Bielefeld are coming off a 4-3 win away at mid-table side Dresden in midweek. The team have not been doing well since late September, despite a promising start to the league campaign. They have won only twice in their last 12 league matches, drawing three times and losing the remaining seven league outings. Their form has been particularly bad at home. Since beating Jahn Regensburg 5-3 on their own turf five months ago, the club have failed to grab all three points in front of their fans, securing two draws and losing five of their seven home league matches.

Hamburg hosted relegation-candidates Sandhausen in their midweek league fixture, winning 2-1. The team went into the winter break in exceptional form, losing only once at Holstein Kiel whilst winning seven and drawing four of their last 12 league matches in 2018. No other team has snatched more points on their travels than Hamburg with 22 points from nine away leagues matches.

Bielefeld have to improve a lot if they want a decent return from this league game. That is unlikely to happen and I can see only one winner here. Hamburg should be far too strong for the struggling Bielefeld.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – ODD
Odd total goals have been scored in all of Hamburg’s last two away wins in league action. I expect that trend to continue.

HEAD TO HEAD
There has only been one league meeting between these sides over the last decade when Hamburg beat Bielefeld 3-0 at home earlier this season.

FC Heidenheim - Dynamo Dresden

Home win for Heidenheim

TEAM NEWS
Heidenheim will be without captain Marc Schnatterer, Sebastian Griesbeck and Timo Beermann.

Dresden's Patrick Moschl, Linus Wahlqvist and Niklas Kreuzer have been ruled out while Marco Hartmann is sidelined with a red-card from the last game against Bielefeld.

Heidenheim
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Marc Schnatterer (foot), Sebastian Griesbeck (ankle joint), Timo Beermann (thigh)

Dresden
Suspended: Marco Hartmann
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Niklas Kreuzer (strip), Patrick Moschl (hamstring), Linus Wahlqvist (unspecified)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

After ending 2018 on a promising four-match unbeaten run with three wins and one draw, Heidenheim started the new year with a 2-2 draw at home against fellow promotion candidates Holstein Kiel, who – like them – were on 30 points prior to that league match. Following their midweek result, the side now sit in six, trailing leaders Hamburg by nine points.

Dresden went into the winter break having beaten lowly Duisburg 3-1 away. However, the fact that all of their last three wins in 2018 arrived against teams in the bottom three will be a worry, especially as Dresden were unable to beat better positioned opponents in the other eight of their final 11 league matches in 2018, drawing four and losing four times. The side kicked off the new year at home with a 4-3 loss over another struggling team, Bielefeld.

The visitors simply don't convince me and I believe Heidenheim will have the edge here.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – LOW
The teams' last two league meetings at Voith Arena have been low-scoring affairs with two total goals or fewer. Expect this trend to continue.

HEAD TO HEAD
Heidenheim have won just one of their last four league meetings with Dresden, losing the other three.

SC Paderborn - Greuther Fürth

Paderborn to seal victory on home soil

TEAM NEWS
Coach Steffen Baumgart has a fully-fit Paderborn team at his disposal, with only Leon Fesser, Khiry Shelton and Leon Bruggemeier out with different injuries.

Greuther Furth's Yosuke Ideguchi and Tobias Mohr won't feature because of injury while Mario Maloca and Paul Seguin are suspended after receiving red cards against Ingolstadt.

Paderborn
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Leon Fesser (thigh); Khiry Shelton, Leon Bruggemeier (both knee)

Greuther Furth
Suspended: Mario Maloca, Paul Seguin
Doubtful: None  
Injured/unavailable: Yosuke Ideguchi, Tobias Mohr (both knee)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN 

Paderborn are one of the in-form teams in Germany’s second tier at the moment, having won three, drawn two and lost just two of their last seven league games. However, the team are coming off a 2-0 loss at Jahn Regensburg in their last league outing in midweek. Their home form has been particularly exceptional. The side are still unbeaten on their own turf in the league with four wins and six draw.

After a very good start to the new season, Greuther Furth lost their form in the final months of 2018. A 3-2 win against Magdeburg back in November was their only triumph in a eight-match stretch before the winter break, with the team drawing two and losing five of those league matches. Having lost 1-0 at home in midweek against Ingolstadt, who were the worst team in the league at the time, the team kicked off the new year in the same vein and have now lost four and drawn one of their last five league matches.

Paderborn have been impossible to beat on home soil while Greuther Furth's embarrasing midweek loss is likely to have had a negative impact on their morale. I'm backing the home team.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – PADERBORN
Paderborn have scored the opening goal in each of their last five league wins. Have a punt on Paderborn to score first on their way to three points here.

HEAD TO HEAD
Paderborn have not beaten Greuther Furth in league action since November 2009, with Greuther Furth winning six and drawing four of their last ten league meetings.

FC Ingolstadt 04 - FC Magdeburg

All square at Audi Sportpark

TEAM NEWS
Ingolstadt will be without Joey Breitfeld, Frederic Ananou and Mergim Mavraj.

Magdeburg boss Michael Oenning will not be able to count on Aleksandar Ignjovski and Richard Weil.

Ingolstadt
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Joey Breitfeld (knee), Frederic Ananou (shoulder), Lucas Galvao (ankle joint)

Magdeburg
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Aleksandar Ignjovski (elbow), Richard Weil (pulled muscle)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW
Despite the appointment of a new manager, with Jens Keller succeeding Alexander Nouri in early December, Ingolstadt have been unable to turn their fortunes around and continue to be stuck in the relegation zone. Since sealing their first home win over Aue five months ago, the Schanzer have accumulated a mere three points from the last 24 on offer on their own ground, drawing three and losing five. The team travelled to mid-table side Greuther Furth in midweek where they recorded a 1-0 victory.

Magdeburg are threatened by relegation, too, having secured only 14 points so far in the league. The side have won just twice this season and have lost the last five league fixtures on the road. Eight of their 19 league matches have ended all square, along with nine losses, with Union Berlin the only team to record even more draws. In midweek, Michael Oenning’s men battled to a 1-0 win at MDCC Arena against rivals Aue.

Both teams are not in good form and I can see the pair cancelling each other out.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – LOW
Ingolstadt have scored just 11 goals in their ten league games at Audi-Sportpark this season. Meanwhile, Magdeburg have scored only ten away goals in the league. This is likely to be a low-scoring affair.

HEAD TO HEAD
Back in August, the pair played out a 1-1 draw at MDCC Arena. That has been their only league meeting so far.

MSV Duisburg - SV Darmstadt 98

Duisburg to claim important second home win

TEAM NEWS
Duisburg’s Christian Gartner and Sebastian Neumann will be out for the remainder of the year while Andreas Wiegel will be out due to suspension.

Rouven Sattelmaier, Max Grun and Selim Gunduz remain on the sidelines at Darmstadt through injury.

Duisburg
Suspended: Andreas Wiegel
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Christian Gartner, Sebastian Neumann (both knee)

Darmstadt
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Rouven Sattelmaier, Selim Gunduz (both knee); Max Grun (elbow)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN
Duisburg travelled to top-half side Bochum in midweek, registering a 2-1 loss. The team had ended last year on a terrible run of four consecutive losses in league action and relegation is a definite possibility if they don't get their act together very soon. They lost their most recent home league match 3-1 against Dresden back in December and have the worst home record in the league with only three points from nine home league matches.

Darmstadt have been struggling to get going away from home, having lost six of their nine league games on the road, including a 6-2 defeat at Paderborn before the winter break. A 1-0 win over Heidenheim at the beginning of September remains their only league success on their travels while there have also been two away draws. Following their 2-1 home win against promotion contenders St. Pauli in midweek, the Lilies are nine points above the relegation zone.

These two teams have struggled for wins recently and this is an important league match for both. It could go either way, but I expect Duisburg to start the new year highly motivated with the intention of turning things around. My money is going on a home win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – HIGH
Four of these teams' last five league encounters have seen three or more total goals. I’m backing this to be another high-scoring affair at Schauinslandreisen Arena.

HEAD TO HEAD
Duisburg have won just one and lost four of their last five league meetings with Darmstadt.

Union Berlin - 1.FC Köln

Cologne to win at Alte Forsterei

TEAM NEWS

Union Berlin signed defender Nicolai Rapp from Aue while Simon Hedlund and Kevin Prince Redondo left the club during the winter break. With Joshua Mees they have only one player not available for the first match in 2019.

Cologne's list of absentees consists of Louis Schaub, Marco Hoger, Matthias Lehmann, Vincent Koziello and Lasse Sobiech while Jonas Hector is suspended after his fifth yellow card in the last game against Bochum. However, Cologne strengthen their squad with Florian Kainz from Bremen, Johannes Geis from Schalke and Anthony Modeste who is back from China. The only player who left the club was Simon Zoller.

Union Berlin

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Joshua Mees (pulled muscle)

Cologne

Suspended: Jonas Hector

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Louis Schaub (acrooedema), Lasse Sobiech (adductor), Marco Hoger, Vincent Koziello (both ligaments), Matthias Lehmann (Achilles)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Union Berlins’s 17-game unbeaten run (seven wins, 10 draws) came to an end before the break, as Urs Fischer’s boys were beaten 3-0 by Daniel Meyer’s Aue at Erzgebirgs-Stadium. That first league loss for Union was a big setback in promotion race as they fall out of the top three. With three points behind third placed St. Pauli they need the turnaround immediately and get back on track of results like the first half of the campaign.

Cologne were uncharacteristically poor in their last league outing, losing 3-2 on home ground to Bochum. However, that was their last defeat since losing 1-0 to leaders Hamburg back in early November, six league games ago (five wins). Cologne have had their struggle at Rheinenergiestadium of late, but on the road they are very strong with six wins, one draw and only one defeat. 

This will no doubt be an intriguing league game between two teams who are desperate for the points. However, I’m backing Cologne to hit back with a vital victory at Alte Forsterei.

SECOND PREDICTION: HiLOW - HIGH

All three league meetings between the teams at Alte Forsterei have been high-scoring affairs. Expect this trend to continue.

HEAD TO HEAD

The sides have met only three times in the second tier so far, with Cologne winning two and Union one. The opener between the two sides ended with a 1-1  draw back in August.

Dynamo Dresden - Arminia Bielefeld

Dynamo to claim their fifth home win of the season

TEAM NEWS

Dresden's Marco Hartmann, Patrick Moschl, Linus Wahlqvist and Niklas Kreuzer have been ruled out.

New in Bielefeld’s squad is Reinhold Yabo from RB Salzburg who player some years ago already for Arminia. Uwe Neuhaus can not count on Nils Quaschner and Christopher Nothe for the rest of the season according to their heavy knee injuries. 

Dresden

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Niklas Kreuzer (strip), Patrick Moschl (hamstring), Linus Wahlqvist (unspecified)

Bielefeld

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nils Quaschner, Christopher Nothe (both knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Dynamo have been struggling recently, although they have won their last league outing against Duisburg 3-1 before the winter-break. Dresden Before that, they have lost two in a row and draw one. Prior to those bad results, Maik Walpurgis men have to improve in the upcoming weeks if they want to climb up in the table – sitting only on 10^thposition with 25 points to their name.

Bielefeld’s woes on home soil continued before the break as Uwe Neuhaus side were beaten 2-1 from Heidenheim. The Arminia have won one, drawn three and lost seven of their last eleven league fixtures. However, away from home they are unbeaten in three and have collected more points on the road as on home ground. Despite their bad run of late, they are still five points above the drop zone in 14^thplace at present.

Dresden have won two of their last three league matches at the DDV-Arena. Dynamo should see off a very disappointing Bielefeld side, so put some money on Dynamo to prevail.

SECOND PREDICTION: HALF TIME HAD - DRAW

Each of the last three league encounters between the two sides at DDV-Arena has been level at the break. I expect this to be the case again.

HEAD TO HEAD

Dresden have not one of their last three home league meetings with Arminia, losing two times and drawing once. Arminia won also the first league encounter this season 2-1.

FC Heidenheim - Holstein Kiel

Heidenheim to see off Holstein Kiel

TEAM NEWS

Heidenheim will be without the injured captain Marc Schnatterer, Sebastian Greisbeck and Timo Beermann who are all injured while Nicolai Dovedan have been sidelined with suspension.

Captain David Kinsombi, Masaya Okugawa and Aaron Seydel continue to be out for Holstein Kiel.

Heidenheim

Suspended: Nikolai Dovedan

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Marc Schnatterer (foot), Sebastian Griesbeck (ankle joint), Timo Beermann (thigh)

Holstein Kiel

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Aaron Seydel (heel), Masaya Okugawa (pulled muscle), David Kinsombi (shinbone)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Heidenheim have responded expertly well from their 5-1 home defeat to Paderborn. Since then Frank Schmid’s side have won three and drawn one, beating both bottom teams Sandhausen and Duisburg before drawing at weak Ingolstadt but won the last match against Bielefeld 2-1 before the winter-break. Heidenheim have been in excellent shape in recent month, winning six of their last eleven games in the league, drawing four and losing only one.

Holstein Kiel have recovered well from a bad September and October, moving back into the top six of late. Before beating Sandhausen 2-1 just after last international break, Tim Walter’s men had taken ten points from a possible 27 in the league. Since then, the Storcks have beaten Sandhausen, 2-1, Duisburg 4-0, Dresden 2-0 and leaders Hamburg 3-1. Meanwhile, no side in Germany’s second tier have beaten Hamburg twice this season so far.

Heidenhieim are slowly but surely heading in the right direction after a slow start to their season. I can see them recoreding their sixth home league win of the campaign against a very strong side from Kiel.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – HIGH

Heidenheim have score two or more goals in three of their last four league outings while Holstein Kiel netted three in their victory at Holstein-Stadium in their last league encounter. There were plenty of goals between the pair at Voith-Arena in recent matches and I can see this continue here.

HEAD TO HEAD

There have only been only league meeting between the pair at Voith Arena with Holstein Kiel had won 5-3 last season. The first match this season finished with a 1-1 draw.

Hamburger SV - SV Sandhausen

Hamburg to return to winning ways

TEAM NEWS

Hamburg's Stephan Ambrosius, Jairo Samperio, Kyriakos Papadopoulos and Aaron Hunt are still absent. 

Sandhausen’s Maximilian Jansen, Alexander Rossipal, Tim Kister and Nejmeddin Daghfous are all out with different injuries.

Hamburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Jairo Samperio, Stephan Ambrosius (all knee); Aaron Hunt (calf)

Sandhausen

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Tim Kister (broken foot); Alexander Rossipal (ankle), Nejmeddin Daghfous (knee), Maximilian Jansen (unspecified)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN 

Hamburg fell to an unexpected 3-1 defeat away from home to Holstein Kiel before the break. Despite this defeat Hannes Wolf’s boys remain on top of the league table, but only one point ahead second Cologne. The HSV have been in outstanding form in recent months, winning seven, drawing four of their last eleven in the league. Meanwhile, a 5-0 home loss to Jahn Regensburg back in late September remains their only defeat in their last  16 league matches, having drawn four and won 12 during that time.

While Hamburg have been riding on a crest of a wave. Sandhausen have been struggling big time of late and coming off a 0-0 home draw over Greuther Furth. Since beating Ingolstadt 4-0 at home back in October, the SVS have gone over two month without a win, losing three and drawing five of their last eight in Germany’s second tier. As a consequence of their woeful run of form, Sandhausen now find themselves close to the red zone.

Hamburg are starting to find some serious momentum under Hannes Wolf, and the HSV will be targeting another three points from this one. Hamburg have won three and drawn three of their last six league games at home, so back them to beat bottom side Sandhausen at Volkspark-Stadium.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE - HAMBURG

Hamburg have scored the opening goal in six of their last seven league matches and I think they will net the opener this weekend, too.

HEAD TO HEAD

These two have never met at Volkspark-Stadium in the second tier. Their first ever league meeting was won by Hamburg 3-0 in August earlier this season.

Jahn Regensburg - SC Paderborn

Paderborn to beat Jahn Regensburg once again

TEAM NEWS

Jahn Regensburg's Adrian Fein is been ruled out for the upcoming six weeks after his heavy knee injury.

Coach Steffen Baumgart has a fully-fit Paderborn team at his disposal, with only Leon Fesser, Khiry Shelton and Leon Bruggemeier are out with different injuries.

Jahn Regensburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Adrian Fein (knee)

Paderborn

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Leon Fesser (thigh), Khiry Shelton, Leon Bruggemeier (both knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN 

After their dramatic 2-2 draw at Hardtwald-Stadium, Jahn Regensburg cruised to a 2-1 win away from home over bottom club Ingolstadt before the winter-break. Jahn have been in fine fettle of late, losing only one of their last 13 league encounters along with five wins and seven draws. Achim Beierlorzer’s men are very hard to beat this term, with only Union Berlin (1) and Hamburg (4) losing fewer than the Jahn in the 2.Bundesliga up until now.

Paderborn are coming off an excellent 6-2 home win against struggling Darmstadt and have been in great shape in recent weeks so far, with only three teams have collected more points in the last five games. However, they have been average away from home, winning three, drawing one and losing four of their eight road trips.

After such an impressive win before the winter-break, Paderborn will fancy their chances of winning the next one away from home. I’m putting my money on a narrow away win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – EVEN

Paderborn have won four of their last six league games with Regensburg by a two-goal margin and I would not be surprised to see a similar outcome here. Back even total goals to be scored here.

HEAD TO HEAD

The teams have met only twice at Continental Arena, with Paderborn could win both without conceding a single goal but scored incredible six. The reverse fixture was won by Paderborn 2-0 too.

FC Magdeburg - Erzgebirge Aue

Magdeburg to claim first home win in this east derby

TEAM NEWS

Magdeburg boss Michael Oenning got some fresh faces with Steven Lewerenz from Kiel, Timo Perthel from Bochum and Jan Kirchhoff to avoid relegation. With Jasmin Fejzic, Joel Abu Hanna and Mergim Berisha left some the club too. Not ready for the first match are Alexandar Ignjovski and Richard Weil, who are injured. 

Aue have lost some important players like Nicolai Rapp, Soren Bertram and Sascha Hartel who all left the club during the break. With Steve Breitkreuz are only one player not available but Coach Daniel Meyer will not be happy with the current situation.

Magdeburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Aleksandar Ignjovski (elbow), Richard Weil (pulled muscle)

Aue

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Steve Breitkreuz (knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Magdeburg go into this one in poor form, with the pressure now starting to grow on the team. FCM have lost three of their last five matches in the league, picking up a mere two points from the last 15 on offer after losing 4-1 away at St. Pauli before the winter-break. At home, the east-club have won zero of their nine in the league, drawing six and losing three, with two of those defeats arriving in their last four home league fixtures. 

Aue’s form has improved massively in recent weeks before the winter-break, winning two and drawing two of their last four league matches. After losing three, drawing one and winning only one of five, the Viola are unbeaten in four. The last match before the break, the Viola secured their six win of the campaign, beating in-form Union Berlin 3-0 on home ground. In doing so, Daniel Meyer’s men sit 12^thin the table with 22 points to their name.

Aue have been poor on their travels of late, and the Aue club could struggle in this one. Magdeburg have had a lot of problems at home, but I fancy them to hit the first home win of the season this term.

SECOND PREDICTION: HALF TIME HAD - DRAW

Magdeburg have been level at half time in three of their last four home league meetings. I fancy the draw in this one too.

HEAD TO HEAD

There have been only one league meeting between the sides – the reverse fixtures ended in a draw.

Greuther Fürth - FC Ingolstadt 04

Ingolstadt to secure first win on the road

TEAM NEWS

Greuther Furth have signed Kevin Prince Redondo from Union Berlin while Roberto Hilbert have left the club. Yosuke Ideguchi and Tobias Mohr won't feature because of injury.

Ingolstadt have signed a new keeper with Philipp Tschauner from Hannover and defender Mergim Mavraj from Saloniki. They will not have available for the derby against Furth Joey Breitfeld, Frederic Ananoou, Mergim Mavraj.

Greuther Furth

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Yosuke Ideguchi, Tobias Mohr (both knee); 

Ingolstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Joey Breitfeld (knee); Frederic Ananou (shoulder), Mergim Mavraj (hand)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN  

Greuther Furth have failed to kick on from their 3-2 win over bottom side Magdeburg two month ago, taking just one point from their last four league games, drawing one and losing three. Before the winter break they stopped the negative run from three defeats in a row with a 0-0 draw at weak Sandhausen. However, the Shamrock have kick off the campaign in excellent style but failed to keep this good form at the end of the year.

Ingolstadt have been struggling big time of late and are coming off a 2-1 defeat in Bavarian derby against Jahn Regensburg. Since beating Aue 1-0 at home back in August, the Schanzer have gone over four month without a win, losing nine and drawing five of their last 14 in Germany’s second tier. As a consequence of their woeful run of form, Ingolstadt now find themselves at the bottom of the table.

This promises to be a very hard fight between two teams who are struggling for form in Germany’s second tier at the moment. But I can see Ingolstadt to come out and claim an important win after the winter-break.

SECOND PREDICTION: CORRECT SCORE – 0-1

Ingolstadt have won the last four league meetings at Greuther Furth, three of them with exactly 1-0. Have a punt on one goal to be scored in Ingolstadt’s favour this weekend.

HEAD TO HEAD

Greuther Furth have not won against Ingolstadt on home soil since 2011. The last three matches were all lost with exactly 1-0.

SV Darmstadt 98 - FC St. Pauli

All square in this important match for both

TEAM NEWS

Rouven Sattelmaier, Max Grun and Selim Gunduz remain on the sidelines at Darmstadt through injury. Moreover they lost captain Aytac Sulu who left the club while Soren Bertram signed a contract at Bollenfalltor during the winter-transfer-window.

St. Pauli signed former Frankfurt hero Alexander Meier while midfield player Bernd Nehrig left the club. With Philipp Ziereis and Henk Veerman they will miss two important players with knee injuries for the rest of the season.

Darmstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Rouven Sattelmaier, Selim Gunduz (both knee); Max Grun (elbow)

St. Pauli

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Philipp Ziereis, Henk Veerman (both knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Darmstadt fell to a very disappointing 6-2 defeat on the road to Paderborn before the break, falling to recover from going a goal down early on. The Lilian are now winless in six league matches having drawn two and lost four in recent weeks. Darmstadt have had a mixed bag of results this campaign, winning only five, drawing four and losing nine of their 18 league outings.  

St. Pauli have been scoring for fun before the break, netting an incredible nine goals in their last three league games. In the process, St. Pauli have taken 15 points from the last 21 on offer since losing 1-0 at home to Holstein Kiel back in late October. Since middle of September, St. Pauli have lost only one of their 13 league fixtures, won eight and drawing four of those matches. Last years 4-1 home win against Magdeburg has put them just three points adrift of their leaders and City-rival Hamburg.

Both teams in different regions of the table are in need of a good start but I see both to cancel each other out and we can expect a draw here. Therefore take a punt on this to end in a draw.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE - DARMSTADT

Darmstadt have scored first in both home league meetings with St. Pauli recently. Back the home side to score the opening goal in this one, too.

HEAD TO HEAD

Darmstadst are unbeaten in six home league meetings with St. Pauli, winning four and drawing two.

VfL Bochum - MSV Duisburg

Bochum to make it back-to-back wins

TEAM NEWS

Bochum could sign Simon Zoller from league rival Cologne while Timo Perthel left the club during the break. They are still dealing with long-term absentees Jannik Bandowski, Milos Pantovic, Maxim Leitsch and Baris Ekincier while Tim Hoogland is not available with suspension, too.

Duisburg transfer coup during the break was to sign Havard Nielsen from Fortuna Dusseldorf. However, they can not count on Christian Gartner and Sebastian Neumann who will be out for the remainder of the year. Additional will miss John Verhoek and Stanislav Iljutcenko the match against Bochum due to suspension.

Bochum

Suspended: Tim Hoogland

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Jannik Bandowski, Milos Pantovic (both knee), Maxim Leitsch (pubis), Baris Ekincier (unspecified)

Duisburg

Suspended: John Verhoek, Stanislav Iljutcenko

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Christian Gartner, Sebastian Neumann (both knee); 

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

After back-to-back defeats to St. Pauli 3-1 and Union Berlin 2-0, Bochum recorded a precious 3-2 away win over giant Cologne before the break. Robin Dutt’s side have struggled for consistency in recent weeks, taking just one win from their previous four league games. However, on home soil they are very strong this campaign, winning five, drawing one and losing three of their nine league fixtures. 

Since taking over from Ilja Gruev, who was fired at the end of September, Torsten Lieberknecht has made a good start to his managerial career at Duisburg but received a setback with four defeats in a row before the winter-break. With the last one finished 3-1 against Duisburg, he has won four, drawn two and lost five with his new team. The Zebras kicked off their season very awful, but the MSV still have the chance to avoid the worst case despite sitting on 16^thplace with only 13 points but even with 15^thplaced Sandhausen.

Bochum is very strong on home ground and should see off struggling Duisburg here. My money is going on a home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: HiLOW - LOW

Bochum have scored just 15 home goals this term while Duisburg have netted only 10 times away form home, which is the fourth least in Germany’s 2.Bundesliga. The last four meetings between the pair have been low-scoring affairs too – I fancy this to be again.

HEAD TO HEAD

The last two league meetings between the pair have been won by Bochum. Meanwhile, Duisburg have not won at Vonovia Stadium in league action since a top-flight meeting back in May 1999.

SC Paderborn - SV Darmstadt 98

Narrow victory for high-flying Paderborn

TEAM NEWS

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

Rouven Sattelmaier, Max Grun and Selim Gunduz remain on the sidelines at Darmstadt through injury.

Paderborn

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Leon Fesser (thigh)

Darmstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Rouven Sattelmaier, Selim Gunduz (both knee); Max Grun (elbow)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Paderborn made a great start to their league campaign following promotion from Germany's third division last season, but Steffen Baumgart’s men have had ups and downs in recent weeks. In fact, last weekend’s 3-0 win over Dresden on home soil was their first home victory since beating Aue 1-0 over two month ago. However, they are still unbeaten in front of their own crowd with three wins and six draws – and their main target will be to remain unbeaten on home soil before the winter break.

Darmstadt battled back from 2-0 down to earn a 2-2 draw against rivals Aue at Erzgebirgs Stadium last weekend. The Lilies have been far more successful at home (14 points) than on the road (five points), where they have won only one, drawn two and lost five of their eight away league games. The team have now failed to win their last five league matches overall, losing three and drawing two. Sitting in 13^thwith only seven points separating them from the bottom three, they will need to start turning those draws into wins soon.

Paderborn, who are seventh, will be eyeing all three points from this home league fixture against Darmstadt. Steffen Baumgart’s boys should be too strong for these poor travellers, so my money is going on a narrow home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST HALF HAD – DRAW

Paderborn have been drawing at half time in their last two home league matches while Darmstadt have been level at the break in two of their last three away from home. Expect this encounter to be level at the break.

HEAD TO HEAD

The sides have met only once in the second tier so far, with Darmstadt winning the opener 1-0 at home back in August.