Holstein Kiel - 1.FC Nürnberg

Promotion six-pointer

TEAM NEWS

Holstein Kiel will have to do without the long-term injured Amara Conde.

Nurnberg’s key player Sebastian Kerk will miss out while long-term injuries while Enis Alushi and Dennis Lippert are both unavailable with injury problems. Tim Leipold saw his fifth yellow card against Ingolstadt and is suspended.

Holstein Kiel

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Amara Conde (foot)

Nurnberg

Suspended: Tim Leibold

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Sebastian Kerk (hamstring); Enis Alushi, Dennis Lippert (both knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Holstein Kiel are without a doubt one of the 2. Bundesliga in-form teams at the moment as they are unbeaten in their last six second-tier matches, with their latest match ending in a convincing 4-0 win away to Dresden. Markus Anfang’s side have closed the gap to the top two in recent weeks, moving to within just two points of the automatic promotion places. Since falling to a shock 3-1 defeat against Sandhausen at Hardtwald Stadium back in December, the Storks have won three, drawn seven and lost only two of their following 12 2. Bundeslig games. 

Nurnberg remain in second spot despite taking just six points from the last 18 on offer. Since their 11-match unbeaten run which spanned from November to February, the team’s momentum seems to have disappear, with only one win, three draws and two defeats in their last six matches. Michael Kollner’s men only managed a disappointing 1-1 draw at Ingolstadt last Sunday and with Holstein Kiel breathing down their neck, this match has become very important for them as it would take them one step closer to automatic promotion.

With so much at stake in this one, both teams will be desperate to claim all three points in this crucial clash. However, I can see the pair cancelling each other out at Holstein Stadium. I’m predicting a draw between these promotion hopefuls.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – LOW 

Nurnberg’s last five draws have all ended with two goals or fewer while the same applies to five of Holstein Kiel’s last six draws. A low-scoring draw seems a likely outcome here.

HEAD TO HEAD

Both teams played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Max Morlock Stadium earlier in the season. This was the first fixture between these two sides in the 2. Bundesliga.