Arminia Bielefeld - 1.FC Nürnberg

It is as always in the past weeks, Nürnberg can put some pressure on second placed team Freiburg with a win what was always possible recently. They are coming to Bielefeld with an excellent run of 15 unbeaten matches and of course they want to continue this run. The home team was almost far away from any trouble after winning 2-1 against MSV Duisburg to begin of the year but had a lot of problems to get a result lately. And after the teams behind them collecting some Points they are only 5 Points ahead of the danger zone. Both teams can not allow a gift above all Nürnberg is in a must win situation if they want to hold the pressure high while Bielefeld maybe can life with a draw here.

It was a bit disappointing for Bielefeld not to get the win in Bochum after got a doubtful penalty against them in added time. Bochum scored with this penalty the equalizer but overall the reaction from Bielefeld was there after 2 defeats in a row. Overall they can life with the result although the win has brought them in a much better position as now. One of their key players Klos was out 10 minutes before the end according to some muscle problems. He could not train to begin of the week so far but all are very positive that he can start against Nürnberg. This would be very important for the team as he can not be replaced equal.
The next not available player is Schütz who got injured against Bochum as well. He can be replaced from Behrendt who was ill last week and return this time into the squad what is a big help for Coach Meier. It is also possible that they field a complete new central midfield with Burmeister and Behrendt. This is only because of the weak performance of Junglas in Bochum and he was substitute at half time and replaced from Burmeister who made a good game then. Also new in starting lineup was Horning in central back who made a good game and is an option again. Salger move on the left wing to replace not in form Schuppan at least. This can happen again, of course.

Of course Nürnberg is still unbeaten in 2016 and won 4 of their 6 matches but they did not so well as to the end of 2015. They had some luck and a lot of problems to win the matches above all against Fürth 2-1 and Kaiserslautern 2-1 they scored very late and both maybe were not absolutely deserved. It is not understood that they walk on so easy at the moment. But overall if you win such matches it is a sign for quality and maybe the actual mentality of the team what can be a big advantage in promotion race.
One of the key facts for Nürnberg is the big injury from keeper Schäfer. He is one of the key players and stands for the good run after he returns into the goal after the weak start into the Season. Now after his big injury they must count on Rakovsky again what is not the safest. With him Nürnberg had a lot of problems last Season and to begin too. Despite the absent from Schäfer they have no real choice and must count and trust him now. This can be a big disadvantage in promotion race for Nürnberg and all hope that the old problems arrive not again.
Compared to the last game they can count on Brecko and Leibold again who both returns form suspension. This means that Coach Weiler changes maybe on two positions more but all the others remain unchanged. Additional to last match they can not count on winning goal scorer Stieber who was sent off with yellow red and is suspended here. Therefore one option less on bench for Coach Weiler.  

PICK: Arminia Bielefeld AHC +0,25 @ 1,74 (3 Units / Flat Stake)