1.FC Kaiserslautern - SV Darmstadt 98

Darmstadt to beat hapless Kaiserslautern

TEAM NEWS

Kaiserslautern won’t have Kacper Przybylko, Marcel Correia and Gervane Kastaneer at their disposal for this encounter.

Darmstadt will be traveling to Kaiserslautern with an almost full squad, but they will be missing Jan Rosenthal with a knee injury.

Kaiserslautern

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Kacper Przybylko (foot), Marcel Correia (pulled muscle), Gervane Kastaneer (knee)

Darmstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Jan Rosenthal (knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Despite registering good results in their preseason friendlies, Kaiserslautern started the season opener against Nurnberg nervously – perhaps due to the fact that they had never won a game at Nurnberg in 2.Bundesliga. That trend continued with a 3-0 defeat for the team, with coach Norbert Meier possibly fielding too many new players. With more than half the line-up consisting of new recruits (six), the players did not know each other well enough and it is clear that a lot of time will be required to get this team on track. They will without a doubt have to improve a lot against giants Darmstadt.

Darmstadt experienced a difficult and slow start to the season, but nevertheless they secured their first win last time out, beating Greuther Furth 1-0 in what was an important first match at home. Aytac Sulu was the hero in an even game, with the captain scoring the winning goal after a free kick from Tobias Kempe. However, with five new players in the starting line-up Darmstadt found it difficult to find their rhythm right from the beginning. They lacked creativity and ideas when it came to finding a way through Furth’s lines and they have their great morale and fighting spirit to thank for rather than their playing style. Despite the positive result, there is a lot to improve and coach Torsten Frings has his work cut out.

I can’t see Kaiserslautern turn a corner after last weekend’s heavy defeat and weak play and fully expect Darmstadt to continue their winning run. Away win.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – ODD

Four of Kaiserslautern’s last five home matches have seen an odd number of goals, while this was also the case in Darmstadt’s last three away matches. Judging by this pattern, I predict a repeat of this here.

HEAD TO HEAD

Kaiserslautern have hosted Darmstadt three times in the top flight and second division, with the games ending in one win and two draws for the home team.