Borussia Dortmund – FC Nurnberg
Signal Iduna Park
Saturday, 5th December 2009 – kickoff 15:30

Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund grabbed an important 2-1 away win in the last round against the dangerous team of Hoffenheim which has moved them up the table and boosted the team`s morale.

More important was that the win was achieved without five key players - Dede, Hajnal, Kehl, Tinga and Valdez who were all out through injuries. That was second away win this season for Borussia Dortmund and the team continued with the good run of seven matches being undefeated.

Borussia are currently on the ninth position with 21 points but still very close to the top four teams. The fourth and the ninth team are currently only separated by three points which shows how even the Bundesliga is.

Borussia have one of the youngest squads in the Bundesliga with average players` age of 24 years.

Luca Barrios will definitely be the biggest threat for Nurnberg having in mind that he has already scored five goals in the last seven matches.

The team coach Jurgen Klopp again has many worries with injured players ahead of this match. Borussia will be without long-term absentees Kehl (groin), Hajnal (ankle), Dede, Rangelov, Öztekin (shin) and Le Tallec (shoulder), but Valdez and maybe Tinga are in line to return to the squad for this match, although Tinga is unlikely to play.

FC Nurnberg

Nurnberg lost to lower side of Freiburg last weekend which was a major setback in their quest to achieve their goal being a mid-table team this season. That was a fourth defeat this season for Nurnberg which have put them in the 16th position with just 12 points from 14 matches.

Two weeks ago they have beaten the champions Wolfsburg but they have lost their goalkeeper Raphael Schafer who is banned to play for four matches due to unsportsmanlike behavior. His absence is a very big handicap for the team and it was obvious last week that his replacement Stephan is not that experienced and secure keeper of the goal.

Nurnberg have kept a clean sheet only once this season against Stuttgart.

Coach Thomas Von Heesen can not count on captain Wolf for this match, as he got injured in a friendly match recently.

The Betting Verdict

Borussia Dortmund are in fight to finish in the top four this season, and having in mind that they play against current champions Wolfsburg in the next round this is a good chance for the team to get another win prior the derby next weekend. They have showed lots of character so far and proved that they can win even without some of the first team regulars.

Nurnberg have many problems in the defense and having in mind that their first team goalkeeper is out i expect them to play defensively and to give their best in trying to avoid a defeat.

Dortmund are in good form, scoring lots of goals and also have a solid defense that hardly is beaten this season, so that is why i suggest betting on Borussia Dortmund as the price on home win is more than fair.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

Borussia Dortmund-FC Nurnberg 2-0

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Home win for Borussia Dortmund