SC Paderborn - SV Darmstadt 98

Narrow victory for high-flying Paderborn

TEAM NEWS

Coach Steffen Baumgart has a fully-fit Paderborn team at his disposal, with only Leon Fesser out with a thigh injury.

Rouven Sattelmaier, Max Grun and Selim Gunduz remain on the sidelines at Darmstadt through injury.

Paderborn

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Leon Fesser (thigh)

Darmstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Rouven Sattelmaier, Selim Gunduz (both knee); Max Grun (elbow)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Paderborn made a great start to their league campaign following promotion from Germany's third division last season, but Steffen Baumgart’s men have had ups and downs in recent weeks. In fact, last weekend’s 3-0 win over Dresden on home soil was their first home victory since beating Aue 1-0 over two month ago. However, they are still unbeaten in front of their own crowd with three wins and six draws – and their main target will be to remain unbeaten on home soil before the winter break.

Darmstadt battled back from 2-0 down to earn a 2-2 draw against rivals Aue at Erzgebirgs Stadium last weekend. The Lilies have been far more successful at home (14 points) than on the road (five points), where they have won only one, drawn two and lost five of their eight away league games. The team have now failed to win their last five league matches overall, losing three and drawing two. Sitting in 13^thwith only seven points separating them from the bottom three, they will need to start turning those draws into wins soon.

Paderborn, who are seventh, will be eyeing all three points from this home league fixture against Darmstadt. Steffen Baumgart’s boys should be too strong for these poor travellers, so my money is going on a narrow home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST HALF HAD – DRAW

Paderborn have been drawing at half time in their last two home league matches while Darmstadt have been level at the break in two of their last three away from home. Expect this encounter to be level at the break.

HEAD TO HEAD

The sides have met only once in the second tier so far, with Darmstadt winning the opener 1-0 at home back in August.