A 1-0 defeat to Hertha Berlin last time out left the Bavarian side in the bottom three going into the final day of the season and needing to beat third-placed Schalke to stand any chance of staying up.

They are two points adrift of fourth-bottom Arminia Bielefeld, who go to UEFA Cup-chasing Stuttgart, but hold a vastly superior goal difference.

"Even though we are dependent on Stuttgart and Schalke are a tough nut to crack, I am confident we will stay up," Von Heesen told Kicker magazine.

"An early goal would be incredibly important. Everybody knows what it would be like if it's scoreless after 80 minutes. I am not nervous but fully concentrated."

Jaromir Blazek, Glauber, Peer Kluge and Dominik Reinhard are unavailable for selection for the hosts, while Schalke will be without Mladen Krstajic, Zlatan Bajramovic, Gustavo Varela and Ze Roberto.

Schalke caretaker coaches Mike Buskens and Youri Mulder, who will oversee their final game in charge before making way for Fred Rutten, are hoping to end on a high by pipping Werder Bremen to second spot and direct Champions League qualification.

Bremen have a two-point advantage and travel to Bayer Leverkusen.

"We will give all we can," Germany international Kevin Kuranyi told www.bild.de.

"I am 100% sure we will beat Nurnberg. Bayer Leverkusen won't need any extra motivation against Bremen.

"They want to reach the UEFA Cup with a win. And then we'll be vice-champions."