Karlsruher SC - FC Ingolstadt 04

An important and interesting match for both sides. They are top half and they started very well. The "Schanzer" can make history today because they are unbeaten in 16 road games so far and if they get at least a draw today they are even with Leverkusen who has the record with 17 unbeaten matches in a row. This record comes from 1979 and is long time ago but today it can crashed. Both teams want of course do not want to lose and they want to keep the distance to the top as close as they can. They are only 2 and 1 point behind the top and this means that they are very close at the moment although both could not win under the week. The reason that Ingolstadt could not win to 1860 or Aue was only due to their weak performance in front of the goal. They have in both a lot of shots on target but could not finish. Against Aue it was more than 40 !!! but in the end only a 1-1 draw. On the other side KSC played by newcomer Leipzig and it was one of their weakest performances in past weeks. They were in all categories the weaker side and therefore a deserved loser there.

Coach Kauczinski said that he has seen a lot and he will learn from this match and looking forward to the next matches. It is more as possible that they change some today but not because of the bad performances of some players it is more a decision of power. He wants to rest some players and give them time to load up their batteries for the upcoming matches. What players he meant is more as open and we have to wait for the lineup maybe. The squad is the same as under the week because none of the injured players returned today. In this case he change only some positions but it should not affect it much as the bench from KSC is very good and some players are anyway close to the starting lineup.

Coach Hasenhüttl expect a close match and said that KSC is well organized and play very fast over the wings but this is also their style of play. This encounter will be a hard one for both and they have to invest all what they have available to get out with a good result of the english week. Under the week they have controlled the game very well and they were the far better side, this time it is open and both have a lot of weapons on their side. Ingolstadt is on a good way and they are doing very well this season but they have to improve from match to match and go step by step as Coach Hasenhüttl also mentioned. According to the good and unbeaten run, they should not expect to much from the team. All players are ready who were in squad against Aue, only the long injured players are out. Same situation as KSC has.

For me Ingolstadt has a little bit advantage here, they know how to play away and with their fast wings they are always dangerous on counter attack while KSC had a lot of problems this season to win matches at home. Away from home they do better because of the same style of play like Ingolstadt. The last two matches showed also that Ingolstadt is in good shape because against 1860 and Aue they were closer to win and additional they had the better play. In this case I put my money on Ingolstadt for the new record.

PICK: FC Ingolstadt 04 AHC +0,25 @ 2,01 (3Units)