Jahn Regensburg - SV Darmstadt 98

Darmstadt to walk away with all three points

TEAM NEWS

Regensburg’s Jan George is suspended while Achim Beierlorzer has to find suitable replacements for several injured players as Sebastian Freis, Kevin Hoffmann, Sebastian Nachreiner, Oliver Hein, Philipp Pentke and Hamadi Al Ghaddioui are all out.

Dirk Schuster’s Darmstadt have a full-strength side for this weekend clash, with Peter Niemeyer and Baris Atik the only two absentees.

Regensburg

Suspended: Jan George

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Sebastian Freis (stomach); Kevin Hoffmann, Sebastian Nachreiner (both knee); Oliver Hein (patella), Philipp Pentke (rib), Hamadi Al Ghaddioui (calf)

Darmstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Peter Niemeyer (foot), Baris Atik (unspecified)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Regensburg are clinging on to their promotion aspirations but are trailing Holstein Kiel by five points. Achim Beierlorzer’s side have struggled to cope with the pressure of late and succumbed to a 4-1 defeat away from home against Duisburg last Sunday. Although a third-place finish is mathematically still possible, the team will need a miracle and help from other teams to overtake both Kiel and Bielefeld in the table. Jahn have certainly been in good form though, having picked up six wins and only one defeat in their last seven home league matches at Continental Arena.

Darmstadt have had a season to forget, but last weekend’s 3-1 home win over Union Berlin has ensured that they are still in with a chance of escaping the drop. Sitting in 17^th, they are currently in an automatic relegation spot, but are only two points from safety and two wins in their remaining two games may be enough to keep them in the 2. Bundesliga if results elsewhere go their way too. The club go into this one having picked up three wins and six draws from their last nine league fixtures.

With time running out, this really is a must-win game for Darmstadt. However, the Lilies have not won away from home since a 2-0 victory at Dresden in early March. Nevertheless, I fancy them to win this one and hold their survival hopes alive.

SECOND PREDICTION: TOTAL GOALS – THREE 

Regensburg’s 32 league games average just over three total goals while Darmstadt’s average over the course of the season stands at 2.75. I predict three total goals in this fixture.

HEAD TO HEAD

When these two squared off in December, Regensburg ran out 1-0 winners over Darmstadt. They also won their last home encounter 3-1 in the cup.