AALEN, Germany (Interstat) — VfR Aalen hosts CfR Pforzheim on Saturday, May 16, in an Oberliga matchup that pits two sides surging toward the top of Germany’s fifth-tier table.

Aalen enters the contest on a three-match winning streak, most recently routing Turk Neckarsulm 4-0 on May 9. That victory followed a 2-2 draw with FC 08 Villingen on May 2 and a 1-0 win at SSV Reutlingen 05 on April 26. Overall, Aalen has won seven of its last 10 league matches, with two draws and one loss — a 3-2 defeat to Essingen on March 21. The side has been particularly stingy defensively, posting five clean sheets during that span.

CfR Pforzheim carries momentum of its own, coming off a 2-1 win against VfR Mannheim on Wednesday, May 13. That result extended Pforzheim’s unbeaten run to five matches, a stretch that includes three wins and two draws. The visitors’ last loss came April 12, a 3-1 defeat at Sonnenhof Großaspach. Pforzheim’s attack has been productive over that period, scoring 10 goals while conceding seven.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a close affair, forecasting a 2-1 victory for the home side. The firm’s ELO system gives Aalen a 56.30 percent probability of winning.

Both sides have quick turnarounds after Saturday. Pforzheim, which last year finished third in the Oberliga Baden-Württemberg, returns home Sunday, May 17, to face Nöttingen. Aalen next plays May 23 at Oberachern.

Kickoff at Aalen’s home ground is scheduled for 3 p.m. local time.