Nurnberg were handed a lifeline last weekend when fellow relegation battlers Arminia Bielefeld conceded a last-minute own goal to drop two points against Dortmund, but they are still in the last relegation place, two points behind Arminia, going into the home clash with Schalke.

They need a win coupled with a defeat or a draw for Arminia against Stuttgart, who have a far worse goal difference than Von Heesen's men.

"I am 100% convinced that we will avoid relegation," said Von Heesen

"Schalke is a tough nut to crack and we are dependent upon Stuttgart. But I believe in the team."

Schalke will be no easy task, however, as they will be vying to clinch second place and automatic Champions League qualification. The Royal Blues are two points behind Werder Bremen, who face a tough trip to Bayer Leverkusen, who are involved in a four-team race for a UEFA Cup berth.

Bayer, Hamburg, VfL Wolfsburg and Stuttgart are all level on 51 points, with the former two in pole position to qualify because of superior goal difference. Wolfsburg visit Dortmund and Hamburg welcome Karlsruhe.

Despite the daunting trip to Leverkusen, Arminia coach Michael Frontzek knows his side's future is in their own hands. If they win, they survive.

"We are only looking at our game and want a good away game," Frontzek told Kicker magazine.

"We have our fate in our own hands and don't want to let it go. I don't have to say that Stuttgart are a very good team, but the league has shown that any team is capable of winning on the day."

Champions Bayern Munich wrapped up the title two weeks ago so they have little to play for against Hertha Berlin, who cannot finish any higher than eighth.

It will be veteran goalkeeper Oliver Kahn's last game, however, and he will want to say farwell to the Munich faithful in style.

The 38-year-old is set to hang up his boots this summer after a professional career spanning 20 years and 557 Bundesliga games.

Club president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge heralded Kahn's contribution to the German giants, saying: "We'd never have won the Champions League without Kahn's performances, and his character and desire off the field.

"He's our most important player of the last decade."

Bayern coach Oliver Hitzfeld will also be leaving the club having accepted the job to coach Switzerland after Euro 2008.

Elsewhere, Eintracht Frankfurt face already-relegated Duisburg, Hannover host Energie Cottbus, who secured their Bundesliga status with a 2-0 win over Hamburg last weekend, and VfL Bochum take on basement boys Hansa Rostock.