Nuremberg vs FC Cologne

Nuremberg team news

Left-back Danilo Soares picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Elversberg and will miss out here through suspension.

Expect Berkay Yilmaz to replace him at the back, while Ondrej Karafiat could also be recalled by Miroslav Klose.

Further forward, Stefanos Tzimas has a chance to return to the matchday squad following a lengthy injury lay-off.

FC Cologne team news

Friedhelm Funkel could make a couple of changes to the side that faced Jahn Regensburg, with Denis Huseinbasic and Linton Maina stepping into the line-up.

Leart Paqarada has served a one-match suspension and should replace Max Finkgräfe at left-back.

Striker Tim Lemperle is carrying a knee injury and is doubtful for the trip to Max-Morlock-Stadion this weekend.

Prediction:

Nuremberg took a first-half lead against promotion contenders Elversberg last weekend but were dismantled after the break, conceding three times en-route to a 3-1 home defeat. Der Club have now lost four of their last six 2.Bundesliga fixtures, dropping them out of the race for the promotion playoff space.

FC Cologne turned in a worrying performance in gameweek 32 as Tim Lemperle's 59th-minute opener was only good enough to earn a point at home against 2.Bundesliga basement boys Jahn Regensburg. The board took extreme measures after that result, sacking manager Gerhard Struber with the club sitting second in the division, three points ahead of third-placed Elversberg.