Relegation-threatened St Pauli host Champions League hopefuls Borussia Monchengladbach on Sunday in their 28th Bundesliga game of the season at Millerntor-Stadion.
The home side are fourth last in 15th place with 25 points and narrowly lost 3-2 against Bayern Munich last Saturday, whereas the Die Fohlen beat RB Leipzig 1-0 on the same day and are in fifth place with 43 points.
Match preview
St Pauli can have no complaints with their defeat against Bayern despite the close scoreline given the victors produced numerous chances in the final third, ending the game with a tally of more than 3.5 xG.
Alexander Blessin‘s side have now scored four goals in their past three matches, as many as they had managed in their prior six.
Kiezkicker are three points ahead of 16th-placed Heidenheim, who occupy the division’s relegation playoff spot, while they are only five points ahead of 17th-placed VfL Bochum.
Though the hosts have earned a win and a draw in their last three league outings, they have only achieved victory once in eight games, losing five times while failing to score on four occasions.
St Pauli’s home record is mixed having lost four, drawn one and won three of their eight most recent Bundesliga fixtures at Millerntor-Stadion.
Opponents Borussia Monchengladbach were arguably unfortunate to have not found the back of the net more than once against Leipzig given they hit the woodwork three times and produced 13 attempts from inside the penalty area.
The visitors could have also easily conceded considering they allowed Leipzig to produce 11 shots from inside the box, and it should be noted that they have faced 49.6 xG in the Bundesliga club this term, the second most of any team in the league.
Boss Gerardo Seoane‘s side are just two points from fourth-placed Mainz 05, who occupy the final Champions League qualification spot, and he will be confident that his team can stay within touching distance considering his side beat St Pauli 2-0 in the league on November 24.
Die Fohlen’s form coming into Sunday’s clash has been positive, with the club winning six of their past nine while losing just two.
Borussia Monchengladbach’s performances on the road have been excellent recently given they have triumphed in each of their last four away from home, scoring 11 goals and conceding four times.
Team News
St Pauli’s injury list is extensive, with defenders Siebe van der Heyden, David Nemeth, Adam Dzwigala and Karol Mets ruled out alongside goalkeeper Sascha Burchert.
Perhaps midfielder Jackson Irvine will be pushed into a back three next to Hauke Wahl and Eric Smith, protecting shot-stopper Nikola Vasilj.
Carlo Boukhalfa and Connor Metcalfe may be stationed in a double pivot considering James Sands and Robert Wagner are unavailable.
With forward Simon Zoller injured, Blessin is likely to turn to attackers Noah Weisshaupt, Danel Sinani and Elias Saad.
Borussia Monchengladbach goalkeepers Moritz Nicolas and Jonas Omlin are both set to miss out, while defender Luca Netz is not due back on the pitch until late April.
Tiago Pereira Cardoso may be called upon in goal behind a backline of Joseph Scally, Ko Itakura, Nico Elvedi and Lukas Ullrich.
Midfielder Philipp Sander is scheduled to make his comeback from an illness in the days following his side’s match against St Pauli, but in his absence expect Rocco Reitz and Julian Weigl to start.
St Pauli possible starting lineup:
Vasilj; Smith, Wahl, Irvine; Saliakas, Boukhalfa, Metcalfe, Treu; Sinani; Weisshaupt, Saad
Borussia Monchengladbach possible starting lineup:
Cardoso; Scally, Itakura, Elvedi, Ullrich; Reitz, Weigl; Honorat, Plea, Hack; Kleindienst
We say: St Pauli 1-1 Borussia Monchengladbach
While Borussia Monchengladbach will prove to be challenging opponents, St Pauli could benefit from the fact the visitors will be fielding their third-choice goalkeeper.
It would be surprising if Die Fohlen succumbed to defeat given their strong form, but they may struggle to keep a clean sheet.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
