Energie Cottbus v Kaiserslautern
Bottom plays third from bottom as Kaiserslautern try to avoid relegation for only the second time in their history.
Undefeated in the last seven games and 5-0 winners over Nuremberg last time out, striker Miroslav Klose believes they can continue their climb to safety.
“This is a really decisive game. But I’m convinced we will win. All we have to do is keep on playing like we have been lately,” he said.
The club are €30 million in debt and should they be relegated will be unable to obtain a licence to play professional football and will be banished to the amateur regional league. The licence is only granted to clubs who are financially sound.
Bochum v Bayern Munich
Benefiting from an early exit from the Champions league, Bayern are 13 points ahead of second team Dortmund.
England midfielder Owen Hargreaves will replace Michael Ballack, who has an ankle injury and Mehmet Scholl isalso out with a shin injury. But Sebastian Deisler has passed a fitness test.
Bochum are without Sunday Oliseh and Dariusz Wolz is doubtful with a sore knee.
Coach Peter Neururer although happy with his teams league position did not seem over-confident about the game with Bayern.
“Ballack is injured. Great. So another star takes his place,’ he said.
In other games Leverkusen – last year’s Champions League runners-up – but just one place above relegation this season, are at home to mid-table Wolfsburg.
Hamburg (6th) take on Schalke (4th) and will expect to win – Schalke have not won in Hamburg for 10 years.
Fixtures
Bayer Leverkusen v Wolfsburg
Energie Cottbus v Kaiserslautern
Hansa Rostock v Werder bremen
16 March
Nuremberg v Hertha Berlin
