Bavarian Clubs battle for bragging rights and table position

Munich -They say to throw out the records when it's a derby match.  There's so much at stake when rivalries are renewed, it doesn't matter if a club is struggling or in first - only a win will do.

Huge matchups in both the Bundesliga top flight and second division highlight the football action in Bavaria this weekend.  Here's your preview.

1. FC Nürnberg - FC Bayern München, Saturday, 15:30

Now THIS matchup defines everything about a derby.  So much history over the last 181 times these two clubs have met, where to begin?  But let's stick to now.  Munich will come in completely fit and they will need everyone on the pitch to perform at their highest levels if they want to steal three points on the road.

Nuremberg play their big boy neighbors tough at easyCredit Stadium, winning two and drawing one since 2005.

Bayern are of course hoping to secure a Champions League spot, and need to keep the pressure on Bayer Leverkusen, who sit 7 points clear and visit Allianz Arena next week.

"Der Club" are also fighting for a European berth next year, they sit 3 points behind a qualification spot for the Europa League.

Bayern beat Nuremberg back on November 14th 3-nil as Mario Gomez scored twice and Philipp Lahm added a penalty.

(Editor's Note:  Salman Mitha will be tweeting live during the match, follow @sal_TMT_sports)

FC Augsburg - SpVgg Greuther Fürth, Friday, 18:00

This derby is relatively new - only 11 times have Augsburg and Fürth met.  So far, the home team has dominated, especially FCA who are unbeaten.  The two played to a 1-1 draw back on November 12th at Trolli Arena, and that match exemplified how evenly matched these two are.  And their table positions as well.

Augsburg sit in 2nd and threatening to take over the league lead if they continue to play as they have, winning six of their last 8 matches and drawing the other two.

Fürth are unbeaten in their last six matches on the road, winning two and drawing six.  They sit 7 points behind Augsburg on the table, and 5 points from a playoff spot.

There may not be history in this one, but it has a chance to be heated.

(Editor's Note:  Salman Mitha will be tweeting live during the match, follow @sal_TMT_sports)

TSV 1860 München - FC Energie Cottbus, Saturday, 13:00

The Lions return to the Allianz Arena for the first time since their most impressive win this season, beating SC Karlsruher 5-1 on March 18th.

That night the club and fans found out the full extent of the financial hole facing the club.  1860 are set to play the remainder of their matches this season, with next season still up in the air.

Despite not being a derby match, Cottbus will be interested in points to keep pace with promotion race, sitting 10 points behind the playoff spot and 12 behind Augsburg.

Cottbus lost to 1860 2-1 back in November.

SC Paderborn 07 - FC Ingolstadt 04, Sunday, 13:30

From the top of the league to a battle for survival.  Paderborn has 31 points, Ingolstadt 30.  A win for either gets them further away from the relegation zone.

Ingolstadt are peaking at the right time, climbing from the drop zone and up the table, thanks to their unbeaten streak in the last five matches.  Paderborn have been consistently above the line, but are in danger after earning only 3 points in the last seven matches.

Paderborn beat FCI 2-1 back on November 14th.