Bundesliga
Bundesliga
20.11.2009 15:31:33
Armin Veh will be without his top scorer (six goals), Misimovic, for the clash at home against Nuremberg
Chance to keep the pressure on Bayer
On match day 13, struggling Nuremberg stand in the way of Wolfsburg from closing the gap on the top of the table at the Volkswagen arena. Wolfsburg currently lie five points adrift of Leverkusen in first place.
While Armin Veh's side are challenging for another year of European football, Michael Oenning is finding the going tough with Nuremberg. The Bavarians are precariously close to the relegation zone and will need to start picking up points if they are to remain in the top flight.
Improvement on the road
But if Nuremberg are to pick up three points on Saturday they will need to address their recent poor form away from home. The visitors haven't won on the road in six matches and as if that wasn't enough to worry Oenning, his side have picked up just four points from a possible 24 in the Bundesliga in the last eight games.
On the positive side, Nuremberg are almost back to full strength. Mintal, who missed the game against Mainz on match day 12 with an infection, is unlikely to start but is expected to return to the bench. A much needed win for the underdogs would see them move towards the middle of the table and into relative safety.
Two points the difference
Wolfsburg are enjoying an impressive run of form at the moment and haven't lost in the Bundesliga since match day six at the start of September. This run has included five wins and four draws, making Nuremberg's task all the more difficult. Confidence will also be running high at the North German club following an impressive victory over near rivals Hoffenheim two weeks ago.
The guests will be without their playmaker and top scorer Misimovic suffering from a knee injury, but there are plenty of potential replacements in the form of Kahlenberg, Ziani and even Dejagah.
Three points on Saturday would see Veh's team move to within two points of league leaders Bayer Leverkusen and keeps the pressure on ahead of their tough clash against Bayern Munich on Sunday.
Likely line-ups
Wolfsburg: Benaglio - Riether, Ricardo Costa, Madlung, M. Schäfer - Josue - Kahlenberg, Gentner - Misimovic - Grafite, Dzeko
Nuremberg: R. Schäfer - Deikmeier, Wolf, Maroh, Pinola - Nordtveit - Kluge, Frantz - Mintal - Eigler, Bunjaku
Vince Hughes
Improvement on the road
But if Nuremberg are to pick up three points on Saturday they will need to address their recent poor form away from home. The visitors haven't won on the road in six matches and as if that wasn't enough to worry Oenning, his side have picked up just four points from a possible 24 in the Bundesliga in the last eight games.
On the positive side, Nuremberg are almost back to full strength. Mintal, who missed the game against Mainz on match day 12 with an infection, is unlikely to start but is expected to return to the bench. A much needed win for the underdogs would see them move towards the middle of the table and into relative safety.
Two points the difference
Wolfsburg are enjoying an impressive run of form at the moment and haven't lost in the Bundesliga since match day six at the start of September. This run has included five wins and four draws, making Nuremberg's task all the more difficult. Confidence will also be running high at the North German club following an impressive victory over near rivals Hoffenheim two weeks ago.
The guests will be without their playmaker and top scorer Misimovic suffering from a knee injury, but there are plenty of potential replacements in the form of Kahlenberg, Ziani and even Dejagah.
Three points on Saturday would see Veh's team move to within two points of league leaders Bayer Leverkusen and keeps the pressure on ahead of their tough clash against Bayern Munich on Sunday.
Likely line-ups
Wolfsburg: Benaglio - Riether, Ricardo Costa, Madlung, M. Schäfer - Josue - Kahlenberg, Gentner - Misimovic - Grafite, Dzeko
Nuremberg: R. Schäfer - Deikmeier, Wolf, Maroh, Pinola - Nordtveit - Kluge, Frantz - Mintal - Eigler, Bunjaku
Vince Hughes
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