Friday, February 17, 2012

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18.02. (Sat) 15:30 Kaiserslautern - Borussia MG

German Bundesliga: 1. FC Kaiserslautern, Itay Shechter
Bongarts


PROBABLE LINEUPS


KAISERSLAUTERN


Trapp
Dick, Simunek, Rodnei, Jessen
Sahan, Tiffert, Borysiuk, Jorgensen
Wagner, Shecter

GLADBACH


 

Ter Stegen
Jantschke, Brouwers, Dante, Daems
Herrmann, Nordtveit, Neustader, Arango
Reus, Hanke

Marco Kurz has a full set of players to pick from, save Dorge Kouemaha who is yet to regain full fitness from a thigh problem. Leon Jessen is set to be preferred to Alexander Bugera at left-back after a series of sub-par performances.
A contributing factor to Borussia Monchengladbach's good form has perhaps been a favourable record with injuries. There is a question mark over Marco Reus' fitness, but the 22-year-old is expected to recover sufficiently in time for this clash.
Elsewhere, Roel Brouwers could be set to start ahead of Martin Stranzl after a string of impressive performances.
DID YOU KNOW?

  • Kaiserslautern have not lost at home to Gladbach since August 1995.
  • The Fritz Walter Stadion side have also failed to win in one of the subsequent home meetings between the two sides - a 2-2 draw in May 2004.
  • Despite their excellent record against Lucien Favre's side, Lautern are on an 11-match run without a league victory - the longest such streak in the division.
  • Borussia Monchengladbach have the tightest defence in the Bundesliga this season. Kaiserslautern have conceded the most goals.
  • Only Bayer Leverkusen have managed to score more than one goal against Lucien Favre's side, in a 2-2 draw in October.
  • Gladbach are one of three Bundesliga teams without a defeat since the end of the winter hiatus.
Prediction
Despite Kaiserslautern's good record against Saturday's opponents, the visitors are truly in the ascendancy. Lucien Favre's men have been transformed into a well-oiled unit. Their defensive frailties have been put right, and are unlikely to be troubled by Kaiserslautern's limp attack. What's more, with the likes of Herrmann, Reus and Hanke in good form, Borussia Monchengladbach are primed for an easy victory.
Editor's Prediction
Kaiserslautern 0-2 Mönchengladbach