Energie Cottbus vs 1. FC Nürnberg — Tips & Analysis

1. FC Nürnberg -0.5: Nürnberg are the better side here by a clear margin. They sit second with 17 points from seven games and a +10 goal difference, and they have lost once in their last 14. Cottbus will not make it comfortable, and that suits us fine. The newly promoted hosts play wide open games. Their last eight produced 33 goals, including a 4-4 at Wolfsburg and a 3-4 at home to Fürth. Eight of Cottbus's last 12 games had 3 or more goals, and they let in almost 2 a game. An open game suits the team with the better finishers. Nürnberg score just over 2 goals a game and let in just over one, so they are stronger in both boxes. Their team news is kinder too. Cottbus look set to miss Timmy Thiele after knee surgery, with Julian Guttau and Erik Engelhardt doubtful. Nürnberg are only missing Finn Becker, Kristian Mandic and Mikayil Faye. Both sides have had six days off, so tired legs should not come into it. A 1-2 Nürnberg win is the likeliest outcome, and an away win is all this one asks for. The catch is a real one. Nürnberg have tied five of their seven away games, so they are hard to beat on the road but slow to put teams away. A tie would hurt. We still back the better team to find the winning goal.