Karlsruher SC - Erzgebirge Aue

KSC to take a lead to Erzgebirgs-Stadium

TEAM NEWS

Alois Schwartz’s Karlsruhe have a full-strength side for this first leg clash available. Sebastian Gessl, who has been out since weeks, will miss both legs of this playoff games.

Aue have no new injury worries, with Nicky Adler and Cebio Soukou are the only two players not at their disposal due to injury.

Karlsruhe

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Sebastian Gessl (shoulder)

Aue

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nicky Adler (pulled muscle), Cebio Soukou (thigh)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Karlsruhe booked their place in the play-off already some weeks ago. After a very slow start to the campaign, Alois Schwartz’s KSC ended the season with 19 wins, 12 draws and only seven defeats in 38 3.Bundesliga matches. Finishing in the 3.Bundesliga top three will have been number one priority for the KSC before a ball was kicked – they will now fancy their chances of securing promotion to the 2.Bundesliga – only one year after they were relegated.

Aue threw avoiding relegation away on the final day with a disappointing 1-0 defeat at rival Darmstadt despite were the better team in that encounter. With Greuther Furth drawing 1-1 with Heidenheim, only a draw at Darmstadt would have saved Hannes Drew’s men for the play-off. Nevertheless they have still the chance to safe their place in 2.Bundesliga with a win over Karlsruhe in two legs. However, Aue have claimed only one point from the last 15 on offer what says all about their current form.

With the first leg taking place at Wildparkstadium, KSC will be desperate to take a positive result to Erzgebirgs-Stadium. However, Aue – who have won only three of 17 away games in the regular season – should have problems to stop in-form KSC with much better mood. I’m backing a narrow KSC victory on Friday.

SECOND PREDICTION: HALF TIME HAD - DRAW

KSC have been drawing 0-0 at half time in four of their last nine league home matches against Aue -  overall they have been drawing five at half time in that nine matches. With that in mind, put some money on this to be level at the break on Friday.

HEAD TO HEAD

When these two squared off in September 2016, KSC ran out 2-0 winners over Aue. However, they have not lost a game against Aue in the last five league home games – winning three and drawing two of those fixtures.