We’re going to try to bring you a roundup of the movers and shakers in the top divisions we cover each week. Picked by average attendance, the biggest is Germany’s 2. Bundesliga.

That’s why this week, we begin our roundup in Germany, where the second-tier average attendance is greater than the English Championship’s.

2. Bundesliga

St Pauli extended their lead at the top of the table to four points as they hunt a spot in the German top flight. They registered a 2-1 victory away at Dusseldorf with a Marcel Hartel brace. Both goals came in the first half-hour, the first from the penalty spot. Christos Tzolis made it a nervous finish with a consolation for the hosts on 83 minutes, who are in fifth place.

Furth moved up into second place, drawing level on points with Kiel. The latter led the table going into the winter break, but two defeats have seen them tumble to third. Armindo Sieb gave Furth the lead, only for Patrick Erras to peg them back. Furth’s lead was restored 15 minutes from time by Branimir Hrgota.

HSV are trying to cling to the coattails of their City rivals, but they came out on the wrong side of a seven-goal thriller against Karlsruher. Igor Matanovic bagged two in the first five minutes as HSV had a horror show, but they were level on 35 courtesy of Bakery Jatta and Laszio Benes. Budo Zivzivadze put the visitors ahead once again straight after half time before Robert Glatzel netted just after the hour mark to make it 3-3. Despite only having 39% possession, the visitors snatched a win courtesy of Marvin Wanitzek nine minutes from time.

At The Bottom

Osnabruck will be kicking themselves after missing the chance to close the gap between them and safety. They drew 0-0 with mid-table Paderborn but had 15 shots and 67% possession. They were facing ten men for much of the game, with Kai Kiefisch sent off. after just 17 minutes for two bookable offences. Last year’s promoted 3. Liga side couldn’t make the numerical advantage pay, and they extended their winless streak to 12 matches and sat 10 points from safety.

Hansa Rostock pulled away from their relegation rivals but remained in the bottom two despite beating Elversberg at the Ostseestadion. The visitors dominated, taking a first-half lead through Luca Schnellbacher. Rostock rallied, with Dennis Dressel giving them hope with an equaliser on 69 minutes. The game ended in controversy as Frederik Jakel handled on the line and earned himself a red card, with Kai Proger giving the home side a win from the resulting penalty.

Braunschweig also hauled fellow strugglers closer – whilst Schalke were beaten heavily by Kaiserslautern, Die Löwen drew level on points with them by winning 1-0 against Magdeburg, who are also in the mire. Ermin Bicakcic gave them a 16th minute lead, and despite having just 30% possession, they held on for a vital three points. Daniel Elfadli’s 74th-minute dismissal did the visitors no favours.