Erzgebirge Aue - Fortuna Düsseldorf

Both teams happy with a draw

TEAM NEWS

Aue are again without Nicky Adler while the rest of the squad are available for the upcoming match against Dusseldorf.

Dusseldorf will only be missing Justin Kinjo, meaning coach Friedhelm Funkel nearly has his entire squad to choose from.

Aue

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nicky Adler (groin)

Dusseldorf

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Justin Kinjo (knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Aue’s match in Heidenheim was aborted after 12 minutes because of a heavy thunderstorm as the waterlogged pitch became unplayable. New coach Thomas Letsch is placing his trust in the same offensive trio (Pascal Kopke, Mario Kvesic and Dimitrj Nazarov) as last season as they performed well in preseason, but he has plenty of choice when it comes to the rest of the team as Christian Tiffert, Clemens Fandrich, Dominik Wydra, Nicolai Rapp, Dennis Kempe and Fabian Kalig are all available among others. Although the results in their friendlies were only average the team will hope to get off to a good start at home here.

Dusseldorf coach Friedhelm Funkel chose a very offensive 3-4-1-2 formation in the team’s opening match against Braunschweig and two new players were given their debut on Monday. Dusseldorf took the lead early in what would become an entertaining match, but they couldn’t cope with the pressure and had conceded twice by the 60th minute. Nevertheless, they managed to equalise only 11 minutes from time, but were unable to increase their lead despite playing withnumerical advantage in the last nine minutes as Braunschweig had a man sent off. Overall, Dusseldorf deserved the draw.  

Neither of the teams will want to risk losing at this stage of the season and I expect Dusseldorf to register their second draw in a row.

SECOND PREDICTION: HALF-TIME RESULT: DRAW

Neither team are particularly efficient up front, with Aue and Braunscheig both registering 37 goals in 34 games last season. In addition, both teams will focus on their defence, which could mean a slow start to the game and I predict a draw at half time.

HEAD TO HEAD

Aue have won three times and registered one draw against Dusseldorf in their ten 2.Bundesliga encounters.