DUSSELDORF VS INGOLSTADT PREVIEW & PREDICTION
On Sunday, the flagging championship leader Fortuna Dusseldorf meets the aspiring Ingolstadt. Will the favorite of the Rhine really take in the last season games still the surely believed rise? After three defeats in a row, the top of the table has moved back together. The Schanzer are currently swimming on a wave of success and will want to deliver a tough fight to the Dusseldorf. Will the Fortuna be able to stop the defeat series on Matchday 31? The kick-off at the Esprit Arena is at 13:30.
Dusseldorf:
At the beginning of April, the people of Düsseldorf already looked like the safe climbers, but now, three games and three defeats later, the pressure from the following teams has increased. With 53 points, the Rhinelander are still at the top of the table, the lead on the second-placed Nürnberger but has shrunk to two and the third-placed Kiel to four points. Since these two teams meet on this matchday, it would of course be a big point for the team of Friedhelm Funkel, if they win the home game against FC Ingolstadt. But they have to be more stable in the defense and more accurate in the offensive than in the defeats in Darmstadt (0: 1), against Bochum (1: 2) and in Heidenheim (1: 3) occur.
You will certainly try to find your way back home. Before the defeat against VfL Bochum, 13 points were scored in the last five home games. With 48 hits Dusseldorf still represents one of the best attack series in the league. With Rouwen Hennings, who has already scored eleven times, and Benito Raman, who has scored nine goals so far, they have two dangerous offensive forces in their ranks. Kaan Ayhan, who missed out on a yellow card suspension in Heidenheim, returns to the squad. Still missing are Andre Hoffmann and Lukas Schmitz. Even captain Oliver Fink had to step down this week with the training.
Ingolstadt:
The Ingolstadt have now stabilized in the league and are before the 31st matchday in seventh place in the table. With 42 points they now have five points ahead of the relegation place, which is currently the FC St. Pauli. With seven points behind the Kiel Storks, however, there will be nothing left for the Schanzer in terms of promotion.
Nevertheless, the team is currently in good shape. They have not lost for five matchdays. In addition to the wins against Dynamo Dresden (4: 2) and Heidenheim (2: 1), there were three draws against Nuremberg (1: 1), Bielefeld (2: 2) and in Darmstadt (1: 1). Especially in the away games, the team of Stefan Leitl has not always convinced lately. Before the victory in Heidenheim, seven games could not be won in a competition on foreign place. Nevertheless, the Schanzer are still the second best away team in the league. Only the Nürnberger are even more successful on opponent’s place. With 34 goals Ingolstadt has the third best defensive of the league. With Sonny Kittel they have their most successful scorer. He has already recorded nine goals and twelve assists in his account.
PREDICTION: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.75
