Samstag, 16. Dezember 2017

1.FC Kaiserslautern - 1.FC Nürnberg

Nurnberg to continue their winning streak

TEAM NEWS

Kaiserslautern have three players on their injury list as Kacper Przybylko, Osayamen Osawe and Mads Albaek are all absent while both David Tomic and Benjamin Kessel are suspended.

Nurnberg’s key players Enis Alushi and Sebastian Kerk will miss out with long-term injuries while Dennis Lippert is out with a knee problem, but he does not play an essential role at the club.

Kaiserslautern

Suspended: David Tomic, Benjamin Kessel

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Kacper Przybylko (foot), Mads Albaek (pubis), Osayamen Osawe (toe)

Nurnberg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Sebastian Kerk (hamstring); Enis Alushi, Dennis Lippert (both knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Kaiserslautern are finding life in the second tier difficult and, after 17 round, they have still not found a way into the games. They have registered the worst season in their club’s history, with ten defeats, five draws and only two wins. The team have so far been unable to make use of their potential on the pitch and are limited in front of goal with only 13 goals scored. Although they managed a 1-1 draw at home against fifth-placed Ingolstadt last Sunday, the team are still at the bottom of the table and at ten points from safety, their situation seems hopeless. Like so many others, this is a must-win game for them if they want to have a chance to avoid relegation in 2018.

Nurnberg claimed an impressive 2-0 victory away from home against Dusseldorf last time out, with winger Tobias Werner and central back Georg Margreitter scoring the goals. The ‘Club’ remain in the league while they boast the second best goal difference at +13. They have scored at least one goal in each of their last five league games. With a fourth win in a row here, they could move into first place before the winter break as they are currently trailing leaders Holstein Kiel by only one point. For this reason they are expected to invest a lot in this game to secure the best possible position.

I think Nurnberg’s superb away record of just two defeats and six wins in eight should be enough to see them through here, while Kaiserslautern’s bad run looks set to continue. This should be an away win.

SECOND PREDICTION: CORRECT SCORE – 1-2

Having netted eight in the last four games, Nurnberg’s heavy goal count should be enough to hand them another away win while Kaiserslautern have scored three in their previous three games and should be able to find a consolation strike. I predict a 2-1 win for the visitors.

HEAD TO HEAD

There have been 24 meetings between these teams at Kaiserslautern, with the hosts registering 20 wins, three draws and eight defeats.

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