FC St. Pauli - Karlsruher SC

Both teams are rivals and both need every Point to get out of the trouble they are facing right now. It seems that this can be a very hard battle for important Points, if the look on the table shows. With 18 Points both had not much success this Season so far. Also it can be that the relegation battle continues until the end of the Season. With 4 teams directly involved at the moment because the others are already 7 especially 6 Points ahead of them and to close the gap they need an excellent streak anyway.

After the break St. Pauli seems to be on a good way and they managed 2 wins in a row before failing in Bielefeld. Of course they were very good in the game and take the lead but they missed a lot what brought Bielefeld back into the game very late. This was almost a neck breaker for St. Pauli but they have to continue the good work and take the focus on the KSC game today. This is the next important one above all in front of their crowd they should have some advantage what must be taken, of course.
The team looked very balanced and therefore no one expect big changes from Lienen for this encounter. Maybe the position behind the attack can be very open as with Buchtmann and Möller-Daehli he has two excellent players to choose there. Also Choi can be an option on this position. It is more as open who starts there, no decision out so far, although Choi is out again. Möller Daehli returns after injury and should be in the starting eleven immediately after showing a lot of good performances before his break anyway.

The new Coach Slomka has not found the right balance for the team so far. Also he is not able to win a game on the road as with most of his former clubs. He always has a top home record but on the road he failed most of the time (look at Hannover, where he was many years). He had the opportunity to manage a win after taking the lead in Bochum but in the end they got the equalizer. The next match to top team Union they had no chance and lost easy 0-2. Maybe because of important absent player. This time he can count on Yamada and Prömel, both returns from suspension. On the other side he has with Kom the next player suspended for today. Both returning players are immediately in starting lineup. Prömel in central midfield beside Meffert while Yamada can play on the offensive wing. He can replace Valentini who is slight injured and doubtful. If he can play, he may can give the back wing and replace Bader there. Up front was Hoffer not in his best shape and Diamantakos showed that he has the better form right now what brings him some advantage to start beside Mugosa. But it is also possible that Slomka change the system to 4-2-3-1. This means that they play with one central offensive midfield player like Yamada is. But let's see what Slomka decide for this important game.