Freitag, 1. Februar 2019

MSV Duisburg - SV Darmstadt 98

Duisburg to claim important second home win

TEAM NEWS
Duisburg’s Christian Gartner and Sebastian Neumann will be out for the remainder of the year while Andreas Wiegel will be out due to suspension.
Rouven Sattelmaier, Max Grun and Selim Gunduz remain on the sidelines at Darmstadt through injury.

Duisburg
Suspended: Andreas Wiegel
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Christian Gartner, Sebastian Neumann (both knee)

Darmstadt
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Rouven Sattelmaier, Selim Gunduz (both knee); Max Grun (elbow)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN
Duisburg travelled to top-half side Bochum in midweek, registering a 2-1 loss. The team had ended last year on a terrible run of four consecutive losses in league action and relegation is a definite possibility if they don't get their act together very soon. They lost their most recent home league match 3-1 against Dresden back in December and have the worst home record in the league with only three points from nine home league matches.

Darmstadt have been struggling to get going away from home, having lost six of their nine league games on the road, including a 6-2 defeat at Paderborn before the winter break. A 1-0 win over Heidenheim at the beginning of September remains their only league success on their travels while there have also been two away draws. Following their 2-1 home win against promotion contenders St. Pauli in midweek, the Lilies are nine points above the relegation zone.

These two teams have struggled for wins recently and this is an important league match for both. It could go either way, but I expect Duisburg to start the new year highly motivated with the intention of turning things around. My money is going on a home win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – HIGH
Four of these teams' last five league encounters have seen three or more total goals. I’m backing this to be another high-scoring affair at Schauinslandreisen Arena.

HEAD TO HEAD
Duisburg have won just one and lost four of their last five league meetings with Darmstadt.

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