MSV Duisburg - Karlsruher SC

Both teams expected much more for the start but Duisburg got the 12 defeat this Season to Bielefeld 1-2 while Karlsruhe had a lot of luck to get a draw against FSV Frankfurt. With this draw KSC has 10 Points to the top 3 and this seems almost impossible to close this big gap in the upcoming matches as they need an excellent run. MSV has already 8 Points to the safe zone and 5 Points to Place 16. what is their goal now. To close the gap they must start winning immediately and hope that the rivals all fail as last weekend.

Bottom Team Duisburg collected 6 Points out of 5 matches before the winter break but according to the situation and the very weak start into the Season under former Coach Lettieri who managed only 6 Points in 13 matches is too less to remain in 2.Bundesliga. New Coach Gruev had more success but it was also to less and with the lost game in Bielefeld after taking the lead early he was very disappointed in the end. It was seen in their test friendlies that it is an up and down with very bad results and also good results. The stability is not there to start a winning streak what is needed urgently if they do not want to lose all their hope and chances already at this time of the Season. One of their biggest hopes is new signed striker Tomane who should help to solve the offensive problem as they have the weakest offense in 2.Bundesliga. In the remaining 14 matches they need around 25 Points to have a chance to stay in the league. For this they should start winning immediately otherwise they are already relegated. But if all their rivals losing as well the chance is still there, of course. Nevertheless they made a good game in Bielefeld fight hard but was a bit unlucky in the end above all if they fall behind they had some problems to bounce back. Also the luck was not on their side because they got a clear penalty not rewarded what should have turned the match into a better way for them.

The starting lineup can be chanced a bit above all in defense where Bohl showed a much better performance as central back before the winter break as on the wing now. He gave the team much more stability in the middle, therefore Feltscher can move back on his position on the wing and starts after sitting on bench in Bielefeld. Also in central midfield is Holland suspended and must be replaced,. The first one for this position is Albutat. The other positions should remain unchanged according to less alternatives.

The team from Coach Kauczinski moved very well into the winter break after winning to St. Pauli and Fürth. Also the preparation was excellent with some good wins above all against Bayern Munich where they showed a real good performance and should have won higher as only 2-1. This was maybe in some of the players head as they showed a really weak performance against FSV Frankfurt and had a lot of luck not to lose in the end what should have been deserved for them. With this draw they can be happy but their aim is to move up and get closer to the top 3 but after such a performance they are not really ready for.

Overall they have to improve a lot in all parts of the team. According to last performance some changes are possible. First one is Kempe who must pass injured while Sallihi replaced him well and scored the equalizer against FSV Frankfurt what gave him some self confidence as well. In midfield and offensive are Nazarov and Fahrenholz options what gave Barry and Torres some pressure now. The third Gouaida made a better game and should be safe.

Both teams have the weakest offense with 16 and 20 goals scored so far, therefore not many goals expected anyway. This can be a big fight between two teams which search for a better future. I compare both at the same level above all MSV is much better at home while KSC has some problems on the road. All the last 6 matches ended with a positive outcome for the home team what let us hope to get something out of this game with the HC on our side. A draw should be possible for MSV at least although they are almost in a must win situation. 

PICK: MSV Duisburg AHC +0,25 @ 2,02 (3 Units / Flat Stake)