MSV Duisburg - 1.FC Köln

This is the last game in 2.Bundesliga to close Round 30 on monday evening. An important west duel between MSV Duisburg and 1.FC Köln, where both are in a situation to win this one. Sure MSV not in such an important way but they need some points against relegation because many teams behind them won or get some and close the gap to only 6 points. This can bring some danger again if they fail in the next matches but they are on a such good run in the second half and they worked so well that I doubt they get in danger again. With a win it is almost done for them. On the other side Köln is in a must win situation because they opponent for third place Kaiserslautern won and is 3 points ahead now, this means they can only close it with a win. The pressure is getting much higher now and the situation is much different as in the past, where they played first and Kaiserslautern followed. This time different and let's see how they can handle this, Kaiserslautern failed last weekend.

After 10 points in the last 4 matches MSV has a lot of self confidence and looked very good in the past matches anyway. They play much better as to begin of the season and they work as team now where everyone give all for the team. This is a step forward and they showed what they are able to bring. Their performances got rewarded and a lot of supporters will be in the Arena today. This can be a big match for them, the only blow is that Goran Sukalo is out due to injury. He can be replaced by Öztürk who replaced him some time already. Also Kevin Wolze is suspended after his 5th yellow card, while Exslager can move into the team for him. No more changes expected as Coach Runjaic counts on the same as he does in the past.

Much more problems for Coach Stanislawski, he has to replace to suspended players with central midfielder Strobl and top striker Ujah. This is a huge blow for them above all Ujah was the man who gives them the opportunity to remain in promotion race with his goals. No changes in defensive row but in midfield Strobl can be replaced from again fit Matuschyk who can play beside Lehmann. In offensive maybe he counts only on Maierhofer up front while Clemens, Bröker and Chihi are behind him. This means that Royer and Pryzbylko who scored the winning goal against Aalen last weekend both are only on bench. 

Overall this can be a very close match, MSV in very good form while Köln has to invest much more if they want to go even with Kaiserslautern. This means that MSV maybe get some space and they are not such bad in such situations to take advantage of it. I am not so sure if Köln can win there, they had some luck in the past and also on the road, I remember against Dresden where Dresden were much better but lost due to wasting a lot. I do not think MSV is the same.