Jahn Regensburg - 1.FC Nürnberg

In-form Nurnberg set for their next win

TEAM NEWS

Regensburg are still missing Oliver Hein, Bastian Lerch and Sven Kopp who are all out injured.

Nurnberg won’t have Lukas Muhl, Dennis Lippert and Philipp Forster at their disposal.

Regensburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Oliver Hein (knee), Bastian Lerch (arm), Sven Kopp (muscle)

Nurnberg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Lukas Muhl, Dennis Lippert, Philipp Forster (all knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Jahn Regensburg coach Achim Beierlorzer included two new players in the starting line-up against Bielefeld in the season opener, but despite these changes the team arrived at the North Rhine-Westphalian club with a lot of confidence and played a brave game. Although Regensburg gave their opponents’ attack a lot of space they managed to take the lead with an excellent counterattack in 24^th minute. Regensburg’s captain and top striker Marco Gruttner passed through for Jann-Christopher George who finished with a low shot. Following that goal, it looked as if everything went in the visitors’ favour, but they were unable to withstand the pressure and conceded an equaliser in the first half. Both teams had good attempts on goal in the second part of the game, but didn’t manage to score until Regensburg’s central defender Marvin Knoll made a big mistake, resulting in Bielefeld’s very late winning goal.

Nurnberg, on the other hand, claimed an impressive 3-0 victory at home against Kaiserslautern in their first game of the game. They dominated the game throughout and their home win was never in jeopardy as a result of Kaiserslautern’s unimpressive performance. Captain Hanno Behrens and Kevin Mohwald both found the back of the net while the third goal was an own goal from Kaiserslautern’s ‘keeper Marius Muller. The convincing win means Nurnberg are currently at the top of the 2.Bundesliga rankings.  

Nurnberg were dominant and free-scoring against Kaiserslautern and I think that form is likely to continue against newly-promoted Regensburg. The hosts produced a good performance against Bielefeld, but they will still struggle away from home against Nurnberg. Away win.

SECOND PREDICTION: TOTAL GOALS: THREE

Jahn Regensburg and Nurnberg have not met in league action since 2004, but they have played each other in three friendlies since, and three of their last four games overall have seen exactly three goals, with Regensburg winning 2-1 on every occasion. Although I don’t expect the hosts to claim the three points here, I still predict three goals.

HEAD TO HEAD

Regensburg and Nurnberg last played each other competitively in April 2004, with the match ending in a 2-1 for hosts Regensburg.