1.FC Nürnberg - Fortuna Düsseldorf

Clash between top 2 teams to decide 2. Bundesliga winners

TEAM NEWS

Nurnberg key player Sebastian Kerk will continue to miss out while Enis Alushi, Patrick Erras, Alexander Fuchs and Dennis Lippert are all unavailable with injury problems. 

Tim Wiesner, Oliver Fink, Florian Neuhaus and Andre Hofmann will be out for Dusseldorf once again due to injury.

Nurnberg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Sebastian Kerk (hamstring); Enis Alushi, Dennis Lippert, Patrick Erras (all knee); Alexander Fuchs (calf)

Dusseldorf

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Andre Hoffmann (unspecified), Oliver Fink (adductor), Tim Wiesner (pubis), Florian Neuhaus (thigh)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Four victories from five league games have put Nurnberg in the driving seat for lifting the 2. Bundesliga title. The side won 2-0 away to Sandhausen last weekend and jumped into top position with 60 points, which means they are level on points with Dusseldorf. However, with Nurnberg having a far better goal difference than Fortuna, a draw should be enough for them to win the title. Michael Kollner’s side go into this home game as the strong favourites based to their excellent form at the moment.

Friedhelm Funkel’s Dusseldorf have enjoyed a very successful season, which has ended in their promotion to the 1. Bundesliga. Fortuna have been the best team in the division by a country mile beside Nurnberg and they are currently unbeaten in their last three games, with two wins and a draw. They held third-placed Holstein Kiel to a 1-1 draw last time out.

Both teams will be looking for one final win to close the curtain on what has been a successful season in the second tier. The pair are evenly matched and either side can win the title, but I believe home advantage will decide this big clash. My money is on a Nurnberg home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – ODD

Seven of the last ten league encounters between the pair at Max Morlock Stadium have seen odd total goals. With that in mind, back odd goals to be scored in Sunday’s matchup in Nurnberg.

HEAD TO HEAD

Nurnberg and Dusseldorf have met at Max Morlock Stadium on 18 occasions, with the hosts winning 14, drawing one and losing three of those games. The reverse fixture earlier this season was a close game, with Nurnberg eventually winning 2-0.