Erzgebirge Aue - 1.FC Nürnberg

High-flying Nurnberg to continue their unbeaten run

TEAM NEWS

Aue are still missing the long-term injured Nicky Adler.

Nurnberg can count on the same team as in their previous matches. Dennis Lippert has a knee injury, Eduard Lowen has problems with a pulled muscle and Rurik Gislason has issues with his heel.

Aue

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nicky Adler (unspecified)

Nurnberg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Dennis Lippert (knee), Eduard Lowen (pulled muscle), Rurik Gislason (heel)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Aue managed to arrest their negative run of two defeats in the opening games and secured a positive result at Braunschweig last weekend. The 1-1 draw was a surprise, but the team were lucky in that they were allowed to finish the match with 11 men. Nevertheless, they fought hard to secure their first point of the season against the potential promotion candidates. The team will now try and build on that result in a bid to register a win in one of their upcoming matches.

Nurnberg claimed a deserved 2-2 draw in last weekend’s standout match against Union Berlin, during which they came from behind twice. Although they didn’t manage to extend their winning sequence and have now dropped their first two points this term, they were happy with the draw and their unbeaten start to the campaign means they have a squad capable of competing with the other strong clubs in 2.Bundesliga. This could be a much better season than their last one, which they finished in 12^th place.

With their cup tie against Duisburg taken into account, Nurnberg have already played against second-tier opposition four times this season and they are still unbeaten with three wins and a draw. The team are working much better together than last term, which is down to coach Michael Kollner, and they should be able to extend their excellent run against a weak team like Aue. Away win.

SECOND PREDICTION: HALF TIME HAD – DRAW

Aue will focus on their defence and go for fast counter-attacks while I expect them to allow Nurnberg to control the match, despite their home advantage. The visitors will be aware of this tactic and start the match conservatively, which is likely to result in an uneventful first half. I expect more action in the second part of the game, but predict a draw at half time.

HEAD TO HEAD

Nurnberg are unbeaten in all their six competitive meetings between these two sides. They have registered five wins in a row in 2.Bundesliga while the other meeting ended in a draw.