Arminia Bielefeld vs SV Elversberg Prediction

Right then, let's have a proper look at this one, shall we? We've got the league leaders SV Elversberg rolling into town to face a Bielefeld side that's been having a right old time of it lately - and not in a good way!

First things first, the table don't lie, does it? Elversberg are sitting pretty at the top with 22 points from 9 games - that's proper promotion-chasing form, that is. Seven wins, one draw, only one defeat all season. Meanwhile, Bielefeld are stuck in 11th with just 10 points, and they've been leaking goals like there's no tomorrow.

Let's talk about recent form, and this is where it gets interesting. Bielefeld have lost their last FOUR league games on the spin. Have a look at these scores: 4-3 to Paderborn, 1-2 to Schalke, 3-1 to Hannover, and 3-1 to Greuther Fürth. That's an average of nearly three goals conceded per game! Their defence is about as solid as a chocolate teapot at the moment.

Elversberg, on the other hand, are absolutely flying. Eight wins in their last ten games, and get this - they just put six past Greuther Fürth (the same team that hammered Bielefeld 3-1, remember!). They also smashed four past Magdeburg away from home. They're scoring for fun and keeping it tight at the back.

The stats back this up proper. Elversberg are averaging 2.3 goals per game while only letting in 0.6. That's some serious defensive quality, that is. Six clean sheets in ten matches tells you all you need to know. Bielefeld are averaging 1.8 goals but conceding 1.6, and they've only kept three clean sheets in ten games.

The odds makers have got Elversberg as slight favourites at 2.25 for the away win, and to be honest, that looks like decent value to me. When you consider the massive gulf in form, league position, and defensive solidity, I'd say that's worth a punt.

Both teams to score NO at 2.50 also catches my eye - Elversberg's defence is rock solid and Bielefeld have been shipping goals for fun recently. But I reckon the away win is the call here.