FC St. Pauli - 1.FC Nürnberg

Another Nurnberg win seems likely against home struggling St. Pauli

TEAM NEWS

St. Pauli’s Ryo Miyaichi, Marc Hornschuh, Enver Cenk Sahin and Christopher Buchtmann are still absent but are all working on their comeback.

Nurnberg’s key player Sebastian Kerk will miss out with a long-term injury while Enis Alushi and Dennis Lippert are both out with knee problems. Furthermore, they have Lucas Hufnagel and Georg Margreitter marked as doubtful. The team are also without their quick winger Edgar Salli after a red card against Union Berlin last Friday.

St. Pauli

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Ryo Miyaichi (knee), Marc Hornschuh (back), Christopher Buchtmann (pubis), Enver Cenk Sahin (thigh)

Nurnberg

Suspended: Edgar Salli

Doubtful: Lucas Hufnagel (ankle), Georg Margreitter (pulled muscle)

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

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

St. Pauli have been far too inconsistent for Markus Kauczinski’s liking so far this season. Two back-to-back losses have seen St. Pauli falling from the top six to mid-table. Over the years, the Millerntor has been somewhat of a fortress, but St. Pauli have won only two of their 11 league games on their own patch. They were beaten 3-1 at Heidenheim last time out.

Nurnberg claimed an impressive 4-1 victory at home against Aue last Friday, with midfielder Kevin Mohwald scoring a brace. The club remain second in the 2. Bundesliga and are trailing leaders Dusseldorf by three points, while they are boasting the best goal difference at +17. They have scored at least one in each of their nine league games, but  top scorer Mikael Ishak has not found the net in their last three games. Nurnberg is on a nine games unbeaten run.

Nurnberg have taken more points on the road than at home this term, and they are coming up against a St. Pauli side who have the second poorest home record in the league. Therefore I’m predicting an away win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: HALF TIME HAD – DRAW

Five of the teams’ last seven meetings have been level at half time. I expect this to continue.

HEAD TO HEAD

St. Pauli drew 1-1 against Nurnberg in their last home game in October 2016. Overall, they have picked up six wins, four draws and four defeats in front of their own fans against these opponents.