2. Bundesliga Friday preview

Eintracht Braunschweig vs. 1. FC Magdeburg 

Braunschweig ended 2025 in strong form, taking three wins and a draw from their final four matches to climb to 13th place, five points clear of the automatic relegation zone. It marked a significant upturn for Die Löwen, who had managed just one victory in their previous eleven games before that run.

Despite the renewed optimism, Heiner Backhaus’ side suffered a setback in the January transfer window with the departure of Christian Conteh to Bundesliga outfit Heidenheim. The forward contributed four goals and three assists in the first half of the campaign, putting him joint-top for goal involvements and leaving a notable gap in Braunschweig’s attack.

Much like their hosts, Magdeburg head into the new year in buoyant mood following a remarkable late-2025 turnaround. Three wins from their final four matches lifted Petrik Sander’s side out of the bottom three for the first time since August, with the club currently sitting 15th on 17 points.

There have been no new arrivals for the visitors so far this window, meaning Sander will once again rely on the recent form of key figures such as Baris Atik, Mateusz Żukowski and Alexander Nollenberger as Magdeburg approach another pivotal fixture in their survival battle.

Sander underlined the importance of Friday’s contest ahead of the restart:

“The lads and the fans are excited that it's finally starting again. We're expecting a tricky match in Braunschweig against a direct competitor. Three important points are at stake.”

Braunschweig claimed the reverse fixture on the opening day of the season, edging a 1-0 away win thanks to a late Mehmet Aydin strike. Magdeburg, meanwhile, have not won at the Eintracht-Stadion since August 2024.

Team news: 

Braunschweig: Fredrik Jäkel and Lino Tempelmann are unavailable. 

Magdeburg: Samuel Loric, Luka Hyryläinen and Eldin Džogović are sidelined through injury, while Connor Krempicki and Alexander Ahl-Holmström are also unavailable.

Predicted lineups: 

Braunschweig (3-4-2-1): Hoffmann (GK) - Ehlers, Nkoa, Frenkert - Gomez, Marie, Aydin, Bell Bell - Heußer, Sané - Yardımcı 

Magdeburg (4-3-3): Reimann (GK) - Musonda, Mathisen, Müller, Nollenberger - Ulrich, Gnaka, Michel - Pesch, Żukowski, Atik 

Fortuna Düsseldorf vs. Arminia Bielefeld 

Fortuna Düsseldorf begin 2026 in need of a dramatic upturn in fortunes. Life after Daniel Thioune has yet to fully take shape under Markus Anfang, with just two wins from his nine league matches in charge leaving Fortuna in the relegation play-off spot on 17 points.

There was, however, a much-needed boost before the winter break, as Düsseldorf claimed a crucial victory over fellow strugglers Greuther Fürth at the Merkur Spiel-Arena. With another bottom-of-the-table clash looming, carrying that momentum into Friday could prove vital, particularly with the chance to overtake Bielefeld with a win. Fortuna have also moved early in the transfer window, adding midfielder Satoshi Tanaka from Hiroshima and forward Jordi Paulina from Dortmund.

Anfang echoed a sense of cautious optimism ahead of the restart:

“There’s a feeling of optimism. In the games before the break, we signaled that we can compete with the top teams and win home matches. That message is getting through. Now it’s up to the lads to confirm that on Friday.”

Arminia Bielefeld, meanwhile, have been on a gradual downward trajectory, edging ever closer to the bottom three. The newly promoted side sit just two points above 16th place heading into the Rückrunde, with survival once again becoming a pressing concern.

Bielefeld have responded decisively in the January window, bringing in attacking reinforcements Semir Telalović and Jannik Rochelt on loan from Nürnberg and Hannover respectively, while defender Maximilian Bauer has also arrived on loan from Augsburg. It represents a clear statement of intent as Mitch Kniat’s side look to steer clear of danger, starting on Friday night.

Revenge will be firmly on Düsseldorf’s mind after suffering a heavy 5-1 defeat at the SchücoArena on the opening day of the season. Bielefeld, however, have not won in Düsseldorf since 1997, while Markus Anfang has a perfect record in four previous meetings with Kniat.

Team news: 

Düsseldorf: Jesper Daland is serving a suspension, while Florian Schock, Tim Rossman, Julian Hettwer and new signing Jordi Paulina are unavailable. 

Arminia Bielefeld: Jeredy Hilterman remains sidelined, with doubts over the fitness of Jonas Kersken, Noah Sarenren Bazee, Joel Felix and Benjamin Boakye.

Predicted lineups 

Düsseldorf (3-4-2-1): Kastenmeier (GK) - Oberdorf, Egouli, Schmidt - Iyoha, Tanaka, El Azzouzi, Muslija - Rasmussen, Appelkamp - Itten 

Arminia Bielefeld (3-4-3): Oppermann (GK) - Bauer, Großer, Schneider - Handwerker, Russo, Corboz, Hagmann - Momuluh, Grodowski, Wörl