THURSDAY .....

I have taken a short break from posting on the blog this week and been getting up to date with all those jobs that get put to one side during the regular season. Will almost certainly be back with some more detailed previews either tomorrow or saturday, but can at least tell you that I am quite keen on Nurnberg today. They meet Bavarian "neighbours" Augsburg in the first of two legs to decide who will play in the Bundesliga next season.

The visitors did rest several key players and still got a point at champions Kaiserslautern on Sunday, but those that did play put in an awful lot of work, the home side had 60% possession and you do much more running when your opponents have the ball. They will also have had 24 hours less recovery and preparation time, as FCN completed their regular season on saturday afternoon.

Hosts came up through the playoff system last season, so have vital experience of these extremely tense encounters, when the pressure can become too much for some. They will have a massive home crowd behind them and will be looking to put this tie to bed in the first game, which is what they did against Cottbus last year.

Nurnberg -0.75 ball 2.17 asian line.

Good Luck.