SV Darmstadt 98 - MSV Duisburg

Back-to-back home wins for Darmstadt

TEAM NEWS

Darmstadt’s Felix Platte is out after suffering a ligament tear.

Duisburg have no fresh injury or suspension worries, meaning coach Iliya Gruev can choose from a very good squad against Bochum.

Darmstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Felix Platte (torn ligaments)

Duisburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: None

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

After kicking the league campaign off with a 1-0 win over newly-promoted Paderborn, Darmstadt’s euphoria ground to a halt as they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat away at St. Pauli in their last league match a fortnight ago. The team appeared helpless and failed to find a way back into the match after conceding the opening goal early in the second half, losing deservedly. However, they advanced in the cup after beating fellow second-tier club Magdeburg 1-0. Despite that defeat in their last away league game, I do think they have the potential to reach the top 10 this season. 

After starting the new campaign horribly with two consecutive defeats and no single goal scored, Duisburg improved slightly in the cup last weekend, beating Oberliga outfit Dassendorf 1-0 away and advancing to the next round of the competition. However, they should have deserved a better result than their 2-0 loss at home against Bochum in their last league fixture two weeks ago because they had more shots on target and more ball possession in that game. Nevertheless, the fact that they have found the back of the net just once in those three competitive games will be a worry.

This will unquestionably be a tough game for both sides, but Darmstadt are better at the moment and they have the home advantage. I predict a home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – LOW 

Both teams have found it difficult to find the net in their first two league matches this season, with Darmstadt only scoring a single goal while Duisburg are still scoreless. I predict a low-scoring encounter.

HEAD TO HEAD

Duisburg may have won the last league meeting between these teams, claiming a 2-1 away victory in February, but Darmstadt were on a six-match winning streak beforehand, with that run stretching all the way back to 1979.