2. Bundesliga Sunday Konferenz: Previews, team news and predicted lineups

Miroslav Klose’s Nürnberg side have endured a difficult start, sitting 16th after six games with pressure mounting on the head coach. However, last week’s 2-1 victory over Bochum finally gave Der Club their first win of the campaign whilst Klose was lauded with support from fans, sparking hope that a turning point may be near.

Facing a fellow early struggler, Klose knows his side have to show up this weekend: “I hoped that the composure would return after the win over Bochum. I saw a lot of that during the week. But what I liked most was the attitude of the lads. We know we have to deliver.”

Hertha, meanwhile, find themselves in deep trouble both on and off the pitch. With financial pressures looming, Stefan Leitl’s side have failed to provide relief on the field, their struggles raising repeated questions over the coach’s future. A 2-0 home defeat to Paderborn last weekend underlined the scale of the task ahead. Die Alte Dame sit 14th after six games, far removed from pre-season promotion ambitions.

Ahead of the game, Leitl set out the task for his team: “We have to bring our performance and activity as a team to the field. Then we are convinced that we will score in Nuremberg!”

Nürnberg haven’t beaten Hertha since 2023. The side from the capital took four points from the two meetings last season, including a 2-0 win at the Max-Morlock-Stadion – a result Leitl will no doubt remind his players of as they chase a potentially job-saving victory.

Nürnberg: Henri Koudossou joins the absentee list, with Tarek Buchmann, Noah Maboulou and Danilo Soares also unavailable. Tim Janisch and Tim Drexler have both trained this week in hopes of a return to the squad. 

Hertha BSC: Despite returning to training, the game may well have come too soon for Paul Seguin, Jay Brooks and Diego Demme. Niklas Kolbe and Pascal Klemens remain unavailable. Forward Dawid Kownacki is expected to be a late decision after a head injury sustained against Paderborn.