Arminia Bielefeld and Energie Cottbus are going head-to-head in 2. Bundesliga on Sunday for the first time since the 2013/14 season. Bielefeld have faced both promotion and relegation from this division since then, while Cottbus finally returned after their second-placed finish in last season’s 3. Liga.
Claus-Dieter Wollitz’s side recorded one of the surprising results of the opening matchday as Tolcay Ciğerci inspired them to a remarkable 3-1 win over promotion candidates Hannover at LEAG Energie Stadion.
Meanwhile, Bielefeld lost 2-1 away at Karlsruhe in what was a first-team managerial debut for Oliver Kirch. Michél Kniat’s replacement will now hope to earn his first points in Bielefeld’s first home game of the campaign.
Team News
Cottbus are hit by the news that their talismanic striker Erik Engelhardt will be out for months due to a serious injury. Leon Schneider, who started his career at Cottbus, is the only player currently on the sidelines from Bielefeld.
Predicted Lineups
Bielefeld: Kersken; Koudossou, Bauer ©, Felix, Handwerker; Russo; Mehlem, Wörl; Momuluh, Grodowski, Rochelt
Cottbus: Lotka; Rorig, Manu, Erlein, Doumbia; Bittencourt, Michelbrink; Ciğerci ©, Boziaris, Butler; Copado