1.FC Kaiserslautern - Fortuna Düsseldorf

We have two traditional team which meet each other for the last game in 2.Bundesliga this evening. Both had not the best time in the past years and also they are almost every Season behind their aim or expectation. Additional both had a different start into the Season, the home side with new Coach Korkut managed only 1 Point so far and knocked out of the Cup against 3.BL Hallescher SC what was a bit disappointment for FCK again. The next Round was expected above all that they can get more money in their pocket to buy maybe one or two players. The opponent form Düsseldorf struggled a lot last Season and was very close to become a 3.BL team but they did the job in the end and had a good start this Season anyway. With 4 Points on their side they can jump with a win on 3rd place right now, also in Cup they was successful.

With Hannover 96 had Kaiserslautern one of the top favorites to play on match day one and they started well into the match but failed in front of the goal what was the negative point of the play. On the other side they are absolutely weak in defensive right now what 4 goals against H96 showed, also against newcomer Würzburg they conceded 1 and wasted with their chances as well, in Cup against a team from 3.BL they conceded 4 as well. The weak points are for sure the defense and offense. Ok the offensive is creating some good opportunities but they are not able to get it finished. The defensive is very shaky and produce a lot of faults what make it not so easy for them. Coach Korkut has to find the right balance between these parts otherwise it would be a very hard Season.
Korkst said that he wants to minimize the mistakes and look forward for a better future. For the game today he can count on almost all of his squad, the only doubtful player is midfielder Moritz. Maybe he faces a late test if he can start or not. If Moritz gives his ok he may starts beside Frey in central midfield. This puts Ring on the bench if Korkut's decision is as expected. New signing from Freiburg Mujdza is no option for this game as he came late. Therefore Mwene starts again on this position. The other positions remain the same as in the past matches, maybe Zoua can be an option but his fitness is not at 100% after having a long break and coming late to FCK.

Fortuna's start was not the best and after 20 minutes they were 0-2 down in Sandhausen but they had the moral and were able for a big comeback to 2-2 in the end. It was a good sign for them although it was not deserved overall, even lucky. The home game against giant Stuttgart was what they are looking for. A big crowd in the stadium which push them to the limit and with their fast guys up front they can overcome all opponents in this League. With a big fight they got the win what was of course not expected. This gave them a lot of motivation for the upcoming matches and they showed the good trend already in Cup against Rostock where they walk through very easy with 3-0. Maybe Coach Funkel has find the right balance and work excellent after coming late last Season to safe Fortuna.
You think all is absolutely well in Düsseldorf, you are not right. The reserve players had a test against a lower division team which they won easy 11-0. But they got two huge injuries with Ritter and Gartner, both are out longer what the club confirm. Also central defender Madlung could not train this week due to back problems. He is a doubt right now for the game. Important Madlung can be replaced by youngster Bormuth but he has by far not the experience and peace like Madlung has. This is a big weakening for Fortuna if he must pass. Of course Funkel has some options with Bodzek as central defender as well but he is needed in central midfield after Gartner is out. The full offense is ready and with Hennings they singed an experienced player under the week who has shown his quality in this League already. This can be a really strengthening of their offensive with this guy.  Maybe Coach Funkel changes here something. Hennings and Bebou can play both in attack but also is possible that Hennings plays alone up front and Bebou comes from the wing. Nevertheless what Funkel decides, it looks like Kiesewetter is out of the starting lineup then.

Fortuna Düsseldorf - VfB Stuttgart

Both Coaches worked together some years ago.

46 times meet both teams each other but 42 of these games were in 1.Bundesliga what make clear that both teams have a long tradition. Of course both are aiming for a better future and maybe for a return into 1.Bundesliga. The home side Fortuna is far away from this after having a lot of trouble last Season and avoid relegation very close in the end while Stuttgart is the absolutely top favorite who must be beaten this Season. But almost all teams are very hot and motivated against them therefore they have to handle the pressure if they want to make the goal possible.

What they can expect saw they already in the first game against St. Pauli where they had a lot of problems above all in first half. They had to come from behind after conceding an early goal and had a lot of luck not to fall behind more as St. Pauli played great and had 2-3 more excellent attempts but wasted it. In second half Stuttgart was better in the game above all Maxim makes the difference after he came in. He was the man with the equalizer and his good actions to push the team what was rewarded with the 2-1 short before the end. 

It was almost the same to Fortuna when they had an incredible weak first half to Sandhausen and was down 0-2 after 12 minutes. Ok, they had a better second half and could equalize in the end but it was also a bit lucky as Sandhausen stop playing after the 2 goals lead.

For Fortuna Coach Funkel is clear that they are not the favorite today. He said that they have not the quality and squad like Stuttgart and therefore they must put all available power into the game if they want to have a chance here or get a positive result out of this encounter. Of course he said this in an interview but with his team he talked a bit different and let them know that if all work they can make a surprise against the top favorite of the league above all in their own stadium.

Compared to the game in Sandhausen he has some problems in defensive because with Bodzek and Madlung are two players slight injured. A bit question mark behind captain Bodzek who scored the important first goal in Sandhausen with a shot outside the box. If he must pass the first guy who replace him in midfield is Sobottka. Defender Madlung could not train to begin of the week but they have hope to get him ready for today. If all are ready Funkel should not changes to much although Bebou and Iyoha were very weak that he can think about some changes on this positions. Ngombo and Ritter can be the possible replacements here but it is not out yet if. For sure not available is Yildirim who got injured huge against Sandhausen and is out longer now.

The squad from Stuttgart is not complete so far because Coach Luhukay has still some wishes and the optimal starting lineup is not there for him right now. He has to work with the same squad he had on Monday. With Baumgartl and Großkreutz he misses still some options for the starting lineup injured. On the other side should be new signing from FC Augsburg Werner back in the squad today after missing the first match due to private reasons.

After putting on a very unexperienced young offensive line with both wings Heise and Özcan it can be that Luhukay changes on 2 of the 3 offense positions today. One of them can be Werner on the wing and also Maxim who was on bench against St. Pauli but made a lot of self advertising after he came in at half time. Both can bring a lot more power in the offensive play from VfB as the youngsters and can put the quality on a excellent level. Above all Terodde can hope to take profit from both experienced players in the box. 

But for Luhukay is more important that he has a good balanced team on the pitch and not the quality of each player. They must be a team and play like this what brings success in the end anyway.

VfB Stuttgart - FC St. Pauli

Mission Promotion !!! This will get started from VfB Stuttgart today but it would be not as easy as they expect, of course. The league is very hard and close and they are the team against all opponents maybe have a lot more motivation. Therefore they must bring all their power on the pitch from beginning on and should not underestimate the opponents. Also they are without a few starters today what makes it more difficult additionally.

Despite the lose of some top players like Harnik, Kostic and Werner VfB Stuttgart is the top favorite for promotion of all experts. But not only the experts see the club in a good position, all Coaches and supporters as well. With Luhukay they won an excellent Coach who has a lot of experience and know how to get promoted. The squad look good so far but Manager Schindelsmeiser said in an interview that they want more deepness and therefore one or two players more to sign in offense. Until end of August they have to chance to get the job done.

The starting lineup and be a big puzzle for Luhukay today. With new signed Werner they miss one of the offensive wing due to private reasons while Grgic has not the form and need still some time. Also back wing Großkreutz is not ready and should be replaced from Zimmer who came from 1.FC Kaiserslautern in summer break. The offensive left wing can take youngster Heise but this is not his normal position anyway. Moreover the starters in central back are a big question right now.

Timo Baumgartl is not ready due to injury, youngster Sama made a good preparation and can maybe start beside Sunjiic although this is not the optimal duo. With Kaminski has Coach Luhukay one in back but he has some lag.

It was seldom that St. Pauli could be successful in Stuttgart because from the last 9 matches they were unbeaten one time only. But this is not what the players interest right now. They want to be as focused and also with some self confidence as in the last friendly against Sevilla 1-2 they want to be as hard as they can for VfB. Additional this can be their chance because Stuttgart is not well rehearsed to begin what midfield player Buchtmann mentioned. This is what give them a lot of motivation and good mood before the game.

Compared to Stuttgart can St. Pauli count on the same starting lineup as in the last game against Kaiserslautern 5-2, only Maier and Thy are not available because they left the club already. Also the system can be changed from Coach Lienen to a more offense 4-4-2 with two strikers. Because with Bouhaddouz and Picault they have two very quick and agile guys up front who can make some trouble anyway. Supported can be both from Kalla and Sobota on the wings.

Dynamo Dresden - 1.FC Nürnberg

Dynamo is back !!! They managed the promotion race really excellent and find the way back into 2.Bundesliga. The stadium should be almost full today and the match is very attractive against 1.FC Nürnberg today. Dresden have the wind of promotion in their back and should be very motivated while Nürnberg maybe suffer a bit of their missed chance to get promoted after losing very close the relegation battle to Eintracht Frankfurt. Despite this bad experience they wants to start the next attempt but this time with a new Coach after Weiler left to RSC Anderlecht.

Dresden's two promotion hero's left the club during the summer break. Captain and head of the team Hefele signed a contract in England's Championship while top striker Eilers (23 goals) left to Werder Bremen where he was in former years already. Both are very hard to replace and this must be the first task for Coach Baumann to find the right mix and replacements but they had such an individual class that both can not be replaced even.
The replacement for Hefele in defensive can be new signing from FSV Frankfurt Ballas. He knows the league already and can start a new future after a disappointing last Season. For the opening position in offense they have a lot of candidates or options. With Berko or Hilßner have two new signed players the chance to start but also Kreuzer can have some hopes to be in the starting lineup on the wing today. The other positions are well manned with Stefaniak and Testroet.
In defensive part they must buy a new keeper after first choice keeper Balswich left again. They signed the best keeper from last 3.Bundesliga Season. This was Schwäbe who came from VfL Osnabrück now but overall it looks like that they have a lot of work to do if they want to have a chance to remain into 2.Bundesliga. The squad look to weak right now but of course it is still time to work on. But if the euphoria is gone after some defeats the situation is getting hard.

That Nürnberg is more as competitive in this league is out of question of course but they have lost some important players anyway. With Blum, Kerk and top attacker Füllkrug they have to suffer a lot in offensive. The three lost, other three came. With Salli who had good moments in preparation, Kempe from Darmstadt and Alushi from St. Pauli they try to compensate this. Also on the sideline they find a new Coach who knows the league very well as he was former Coach from Sandhausen and this is the logical next step in his career now.
It is not far that Nürnberg need some time to get back on track after losing such an important promotion battle to Frankfurt. Some clubs before showed it already that this can be not as easy as all mean. The clubs are KSC and Fürth who made the experience already. It is very important that Coach Schwartz find the right balance in team and also make the right decisions. With a good start all is ok but if they have to run behind from beginning on it would be a bit disappointing for them.
A big advantage maybe can be that the defensive line is the same as last Season and with the experienced keeper behind they can count on a strong defensive to begin already. The positions in midfield can be changed a bit compared to last Season. But with Behrens is a guy there who can lead the youngster Mühl. Up front is Burgstaller key player and absolutely unsaleable.

VfL Bochum - Union Berlin

The next match starts at 13 o'clock in Vonovia Ruhrstadium when VfL Bochum hosts Union Berlin. Both teams are counted to the promotion candidates but both have to replace a lot of their important players to begin. It is very important to get a good start and count on this in the upcoming matches therefore both are required to push.

After coming in as 5th last Season they are aiming for more right now but the man who makes this all possible left the club and decides to make the next step in his career. VfL top striker Simon Terodde (left to VfB Stuttgart) is to replace with his 25 goals from last Season and this can be a very difficult task for them anyway. But they have the power and attitude to be one of the top teams this Season again.
They try to handle this with different players like new signings because from Fürth they got midfield players Weiland, Stiepermann and Wurtz, from Paderborn they signed Kevin Stöger and Wydra from Bundesliga newcomer RB Leipzig came Quaschner. Also new is Canouse from 1899 Hoffenheim. With all this guys they try to build a new offense and be as dangerous as they can. It would be very interesting which guys have done the job and be in the starting lineup today. Overall after the last test friendlies and trainings it looks like only Weilandt and Stiepermann made it.
But nevertheless this can be a big advantage compared to other teams to begin as they can count on a well balanced team from last Season. The defensive line is the same from last Season and should work from beginning on. With keeper Riemann and the defending line with Perthel, Bastians, Hoogland and Celozzi they are ready and must be beaten first. Up front they count on Mlapa after hero Terodde is not there yet. He made some good performances in preparation and if he continues his way this can maybe a good replacement anyway.

The team from Berlin Köpenick is always very close to be a candidate for promotion but they could not manage this over a whole Season therefore they are coming in on the places behind the top 3. Of course, this is a big success for the club but they want more sooner or later. With the new Coach Keller they want to get the next step. With his experience and reputation they want to be more in focus. This is Keller's first job after he was fired at Schalke in October 2014.
What they can bring on the pitch this Season showed some test friendlies when they could beat Udinese 3-2 or Utrecht 3-0. This was a good statement for the league but in offensive they are maybe a bit short of options with only Hosinier as attacker and they should try to get some more options in the next weeks because they transfer window is open until end of August.
Key for them is maybe that they are well rehearsed too. With only two new guys in the starting eleven expected they can bring almost all their power from last Season on the pitch. Both new guys are well integrated in the play and should help to bring them to a good start. With striker Hosinier and back wing Pedersen they want to raise their quality. The biggest quality should be their midfield row with Kreilach, Fürstner and new captain Kroos. One of the best in this league and can be a key factor for Union's play.

1.FC Kaiserslautern - Hannover 96

This is the opening game of the 2.Bundesliga in Germany today. Two traditional teams meet each other for the start of the Season. We can expect a very interesting game and also a new start from both sides. This happen because Hannover was relegated and have to build up a new team but the aim is clear, the return into the highest league again. On the other side the home team Kaiserslautern had a very disappointing last Season what put them in a position to make some things new. Both are aiming for better times right now and it would be interesting to see which team is able to get the job done.

In his first match for the new club meet Coach Korkut his former club where he was working until April. Maybe this can be an advantage for him but the team is not the same as under him and with Stendel they changed a lot. Nevertheless it can be a lot of emotions for Korkut and also some fighting spirit to show that it was the wrong decision to fire him. He wants to beat his former club of course but for this he can not count on his strongest lineup right now. With Klich he has an important midfield player out for sure, the other two Piossek and Jacob trained less in the past days due to illness. Also striker Pryzbylko is a big doubt with a foot injury and additional he can not count on EM Hero Bödvarsson because he was sold this week. This means one striker less in squad what bring them more and more in a difficult position maybe.

According to the situation in offense he plans with Osawe as lone attacker who should be supported from the offensive midfield with Halfar, Gaus and Görtler.  The defensive midfield can be build with Ring and Moritz where both has his place in the starting lineup for sure. Behind this both starts a new defense, first one in goal with Weis who came from relegated FSV Frankfurt. With Mwene, Vucur, Ziegler and Aliji he has an absolutely new defensive line and it needs maybe some time until this is working well for FCK. 

It was the worst case for Hannover 96 last Season when they lost 23 of their 34 league games. After the big disaster they were relegated of course and have to start absolutely new now. After the awful last Season Coach Stendel got an almost new squad to work with. The focus was absolutely on the offense where they have a lot of potential now. With this new power promotion is a must for them anyway.

With Füllkrug (1.FC Nürnberg / 14 goals) and Harnik (VfB Stuttgart) they got some very good offensive players to their squad where both should help to get more power there. With Füllkug and Harnik over the wings and Sobiech up front they want to be as dangerous as they can but for today it looks like that Stendel can not count on his new offensive line. According to news is Füllkrug out with injury and this is the chance for Klaus to start. In midfield they planned with new signing Bakalorz who came from SC Paderborn but his out injured too. He will be replaced by Fossum who plays beside new captain Schmiedebach today.

In central back can Coach Stendel still count on Sane who wants to leave the club (mabe to Cologne) but the clubs could not find a solution so far. So far Sane is there he will start and lead youngster Anton beside him. After keeper Zieler left the club to England’s champion Leicester they try to find a good replacement but it was not as easy. For the match today the more experienced player Tschauner (30 years and know the league from former club St. Pauli) may starts but it is only probation. But if he is not able to organize his defensive line and give them some stability Coach Stendel will changes to one of the youngsters like Königsmann (19 years) or Radlinger (23 years). Therefore a good performance is needed to hold the position.