FC Ingolstadt 04 and 1. FC Nürnberg meet on Monday Evening at the Audi Sportpark, with a lot more than local bragging rights on offer in the Bavarian derby.
Following on from the failings of 1. FC Kaiserslautern and SC Karlsruhe over the weekend a win for die Schanzer would all but confirm promotion for Ralph Hasenhüttl's men; with only a further point needed from their final three games.
Infact, a win against their Bavarian neighbours would secure a promotion play-off place, at least, for the side only formed in 2004. Ingolstadt boss Ralph Hasenhüttl claimed his players were ready for the challenge in the pre match press conference stating: "the boys want to fulfill their dream, it requires no extra motivation."
However it's been a stark contrast this campaign for the evenings visitors, 1. FC Nürnberg. der Club's season is effectively over, after a mediocre campaign following from last seasons relegation and you could be forgiven for thinking that the players were already on their holidays - with only one win since the end of February for the Grundig Stadion outfit.
A mid-table finish is a certainty for Nürnberg but with local bragging rights on offer a fiery game is expected at the Audi Sportpark. Der Club have also already inlicted a dent in die Schanzer's promotiuon challenge this season, with a 2-1 victory at the Grundig Stadion in November; making Rene Weiler's side one of only three sides to have defeated FC Ingolstadt 04.
Die Schanzer will be without club captain, Marvin Matip after the Cameroonian central defender broke a bone in his arm in the 2-2 draw at Union Berlin last time out. The only other absentee will be Danny Da Costa; the young German defender still hasn't recovered from his injury sustained back in October and will likely miss the remainder of the season.
In some good news for the hosts, fan favourite Moritz Hartmann recently extended his current deal at the Audi Sportpark keeping him with die Schanzer until 2017.
Pascal Groß, who has 20 assists this campaign, will start in the centre of midfield. The former Karlsruhe man has been the stand out player, in what has been a brilliant campaign for all concerned at the Audi Sportpark. Former Nürnberg men, Almog Cohen and Tomas Pekhart are in line to feature against their former club. Neither have really set the wrold a light at the Audi Sportpark so far, but they'll be full of motivation come Monday eve.
Der Club head south with somehwat of a selection dilemma, with four regular first team players all out - the most recent being Jürgen Mössmer with a torn ankle ligament.
Goals have been the largest problem for Nürnberg, at either end. With only one clean sheet since the turn of the year, der Club can't really on stopping the opposition; but neither can they rely on outscoring them. Only Jakub Sylvestr has got more than five for Weiler's side meaning wins have been hard to come by.