Jahn Regensburg - 1.FC Nürnberg

In-form Nurnberg set for their next win

TEAM NEWS

Regensburg are still missing Oliver Hein, Bastian Lerch and Sven Kopp who are all out injured.

Nurnberg won’t have Lukas Muhl, Dennis Lippert and Philipp Forster at their disposal.

Regensburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Oliver Hein (knee), Bastian Lerch (arm), Sven Kopp (muscle)

Nurnberg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Lukas Muhl, Dennis Lippert, Philipp Forster (all knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Jahn Regensburg coach Achim Beierlorzer included two new players in the starting line-up against Bielefeld in the season opener, but despite these changes the team arrived at the North Rhine-Westphalian club with a lot of confidence and played a brave game. Although Regensburg gave their opponents’ attack a lot of space they managed to take the lead with an excellent counterattack in 24^th minute. Regensburg’s captain and top striker Marco Gruttner passed through for Jann-Christopher George who finished with a low shot. Following that goal, it looked as if everything went in the visitors’ favour, but they were unable to withstand the pressure and conceded an equaliser in the first half. Both teams had good attempts on goal in the second part of the game, but didn’t manage to score until Regensburg’s central defender Marvin Knoll made a big mistake, resulting in Bielefeld’s very late winning goal.

Nurnberg, on the other hand, claimed an impressive 3-0 victory at home against Kaiserslautern in their first game of the game. They dominated the game throughout and their home win was never in jeopardy as a result of Kaiserslautern’s unimpressive performance. Captain Hanno Behrens and Kevin Mohwald both found the back of the net while the third goal was an own goal from Kaiserslautern’s ‘keeper Marius Muller. The convincing win means Nurnberg are currently at the top of the 2.Bundesliga rankings.  

Nurnberg were dominant and free-scoring against Kaiserslautern and I think that form is likely to continue against newly-promoted Regensburg. The hosts produced a good performance against Bielefeld, but they will still struggle away from home against Nurnberg. Away win.

SECOND PREDICTION: TOTAL GOALS: THREE

Jahn Regensburg and Nurnberg have not met in league action since 2004, but they have played each other in three friendlies since, and three of their last four games overall have seen exactly three goals, with Regensburg winning 2-1 on every occasion. Although I don’t expect the hosts to claim the three points here, I still predict three goals.

HEAD TO HEAD

Regensburg and Nurnberg last played each other competitively in April 2004, with the match ending in a 2-1 for hosts Regensburg.

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.

SV Sandhausen - FC Ingolstadt 04

Ingolstadt aiming for first points of the season

TEAM NEWS

Sandhausen have Andrew Wooten marked as doubtful and are still missing Mirco Born, Rick Wulle and Robert Herrmann.

Ingolstadt have two players on the injury list in the form of Max Christiansen and Moritz Hartmann, who are suffering from a thigh and muscle injury respectively.

Sandhausen

Suspended:

Doubtful: Andrew Wooten (muscle)

Injured/unavailable: Mirco Born, Rick Wulle (both knee); Robert Herrmann (broken foot)

Ingolstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Max Christiansen (thigh), Moritz Hartmann (muscle)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Sandhausen were involved in a very entertaining 2-2 draw away to Holstein Kiel in their first 2.Bundesliga match of the season, with Richard Sukuta-Pasu and Philipp Klingmann registering the goals for them. However, the result was disappointing because they dominated the first half and led 2-0 at half time. In the second part of the game they missed several counter-attacks which would have allowed them to increase their lead while their opponents pressed a lot and managed to score a goal of their own in 75^th minute. Sandhausen became panicky and lost control over the game, resulting in a late equaliser in stoppage time which left them very frustrated.

Meanwhile, Ingolstadt coach Maik Walpurgis included four new players in his starting XI against Union Berlin, which came as a big surprise. Phil Neumann, Marcel Gaus, Tobias Schrock and Stefan Kutschke all started the game in the hope that the Bavarian club would register their first win. The team did indeed control the match and played well and fast at the beginning, with their opponents finding it difficult to stop Ingolstadt’s impressive attack. However, despite their superior play well into the second half, the hosts were unable to take the lead and conceded the winning goal, with Union Berlin scoring with a great shot outside the box.

Ingolstadt will have no excuses this time round and will feel the pressure, but they should manage a win here. Sandhausen’s defensive line showed some weakness against Holstein Kiel and Ingolstadt could take advantage of this to secure a victory.

SECOND PREDICTION: INGOLSTADT TO SCORE FIRST

The last four meetings between the teams have all seen the visiting side score first. Coupled with the fact that Ingolstadt are the favourites here, I believe there is a real possibility that they will take the lead here first too.

HEAD TO HEAD

Sandhausen have met Ingolstadt three times at home in Germany’s 2.Bundesliga, registering one win and two defeats, whilst scoring three and conceding six goals.

Union Berlin - Holstein Kiel

Union Berlin keen to keep 100% record going

TEAM NEWS

Union Berlin have a fully fit squad available, giving coach Jens Keller a lot of choice ahead of the second game of the season.

Holstein Kiel are still without Arne Sicker, Luca Durholtz and Atakan Karazor.

Union Berlin

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: None

Holstein Kiel

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Arne Sicker (unspecified), Luca Durholtz (illness), Atakan Karazor (ankle)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Union Berlin celebrated their first win of the season away from home last weekend against relegated Ingolstadt. It was a difficult game for them, with coach Jens Keller fielding two new players, Marc Torrejon and Marcel Hartel, in the starting line-up. The team spent almost all their time defending and only managed a few counterattacks, but they eventually took the lead through an incredible shot from Christopher Trimmel outside the box and did not allow Ingolstadt to get back into the game afterwards. The club were without a doubt lucky to have taken the lead, but after scoring the goal they played very well and dominated the match.

Newly-promoted Holstein Kiel are coming off a very entertaining 2-2 draw against Sandhausen. Although they were two goals down at half time they managed to secure a point with a goal in 75^th minute, followed by another very late one from a free kick in stoppage time. After a very disappointing start in the first half, Holstein Kiel were much more present in the second part of the game and played like they did last season. They had great morale and team spirit, which pushed them to the limit, and they deserved the draw. 

Despite Holstein Kiel’s positive performance last time out, I still think that Union Berlin will win this one as they have started the season well and will be keen to build on their momentum. Home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: HALF-TIME RESULT: DRAW

Eight of the ten goals scored in Union Berlin’s last five home matches in 2.Bundesliga arrived in the second half, meaning that three of those games were level at half time. With Holstein Kiel scoring late in their opener too, I predict a draw here after 45 minutes.

HEAD TO HEAD

These teams meet for the first time in 2.Bundesliga.

Dynamo Dresden - MSV Duisburg

Strong hosts face newly-promoted team from Duisburg

TEAM NEWS

Dresden have lost three important key players in the form of Marvin Stefaniak, Akaki Gogia and Stefan Kutschke. It will be hard to replace them as only new arrivals Soren Gonther (St. Pauli) and Rico Benatelli (Wurzburg) have the same level of experience and are available immediately. The other arrivals are only squad players like midfielder Patrick Moschl (Ried), midfielder Sascha Horvath (Sturm Graz) and forward Rosner (Grossaspach).

Duisburg are placing their trust in their successful team from last season. They have been quiet on the transfer market and there will only be a small number of new players to strengthen the team, including goalkeeper Daniel Davari (Bielefeld), defender Gerrit Nauber (Lotte), midfielder Lukas Frode (Wurzburg), midfielder Cauly Oliveira Souza (Wurzburg), forward Borys Tashchy (Stuttgart) and midfielder Moritz Stoppelkamp (Paderborn).

Dresden

Suspended: None

Doubtful: Soren Gonther (unspecified)

Injured/unavailable: Aias Aosman (thigh), Niklas Hauptmann (groin), Florian Ballas (ankle)

Duisburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: Branimir Bajic (unspecified)

Injured/unavailable: Tim Albutat (ankle), Zlatko Janjic (knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Dresden are known for their home fortress and their support is absolutely great. It is not always easy to play there as their fans make a lot of noise and if the team are rolling they are very hard to stop while they can overcome their opponents easily. For newly-promoted Duisburg, this is by no means an ideal start to the new season, but Dresden have a lot of absentees and must find the right mix of players for this game.

Duisburg are back in 2.Bundesliga after just one year in the third tier and they want to do a better job than two years ago. They have been working very hard at all fronts, with coach Iliya Gruev having to find solutions to get more power into the attack as they were far too ineffective up front last season. The coach stands for compactness and discipline and is adamant that he wants to see both from his team. If they can hold this game even and hold their nerves in this noisy stadium they should be able to get something out of this game.

It is always hard to start the campaign with a home game against a newly-promoted team – and especially when you have several injury worries to deal with. I think this puts Duisburg in a very good position and a win over Dresden might be the surprise of the weekend in my eyes. Away win – but only if you dare.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – HIGH (OVER 2.5 GOALS)

This is bound to be a tough encounter and the newcomers should be motivated, but Dresden’s home crowd might push their team all the way. I’ll go with over 2.5 goals.

HEAD TO HEAD

Dresden’s all-time home record against Duisburg is three wins, two draws and two defeats, with nine goals for and six against.

1.FC Heidenheim - Erzgebirge Aue

Heidenheim eager to overcome Aue and use their home advantage

TEAM NEWS

Heidenheim will have all their key players available for this season again, but they have strengthened the team with several players who will act as replacements if the first XI succumb to injury: Goalkeeper Matthias Kobbing (Hoffenheim), defender Marnon Busch (Werder Bremen), midfielder Kolja Pusch (Jahn Regensburg), midfielder Maximilian Thiel (Union Berlin), forward Nikola Dovedan (Altach) and forward Robert Glatzel (Kaiserslautern) have all joined the club.

Aue were one of the newly-promoted teams last season and their main aim will be to avoid the drop to the third tier once again. Two important players have left the club, but Aue have brought in several replacements, with new signings including defender Nicolai Rapp (Hoffenheim), defender Malcolm Cacutalua (Bielefeld), midfielder Tobias Kempe (Karlsruher SC), defender Moise Ngwisani (Bochum), midfielder Dominik Wydra (Bochum), midfielder John-Patrick Strauss (RB Leipzig), midfielder Arianit Ferati (Hamburg) and Michael Maria (Grossaspach).

Heidenheim

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Denis Thomalla (illness)

Aue

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nicky Adler (groin)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Heidenheim were underestimated by most of their opponents last season and they ended up in an impressive sixth position. However, they are now a lot better known and the other clubs will be aware of how to approach them. This could become a problem – especially if Heidenheim start the season as badly as they ended the last, and this campaign might be a lot harder for them as a result. However, if coach Frank Schmidt excels at his decision-making in the same way as he did last season, then the team have the potential to end up in a safe place in the middle of the table.

Aue’s team spirit and willingness to fight saved the club last season, but more than anything else, they will need to improve up front this time round. The team are in desperate need of more goals if they do not want to get into trouble from the start. However, they have no real goalgetter, but with Pascal Kopke, Dimitrij Nazarov, Adrianit Ferati and Mario Kvesic there are some good and quality strikers in the squad. Nevertheless, the team tend to waste too many of their chances, but if they can solve this problem, then they might be able to play in 2.Bundesliga again next season.

Heidenheim had a quiet and good pre-season and they worked hard to improve their style of play from last season. However, Aue are not in the best situation after losing their head coach and are therefore ill-prepared, having to adjust to a new coach and his playing style. I therefore think that Heidenheim will leave the pitch victorious.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – HIGH (OVER 2.5 GOALS)

Both teams have met each other twice so far in 2.Bundesliga, with one game seeing more and one game under 2.5 goals. However, I expect an open game here, with both teams looking for goals.

HEAD TO HEAD

Heidenheim’s overall home record against Aue is one win and two draws, with the team having scored three and conceded two goals.

Holstein Kiel - SV Sandhausen

Newcomers set to start season well

TEAM NEWS

Holstein Kiel’s core squad is almost the same as last season while the club have strengthened their team with some experienced and talented players, including goalkeeper Lukas Kruse (Paderborn), defender David Kinsombi (Karlsruher SC), defender Christopher Lenz (Union Berlin), midfielder Sebastian Heidinger (Paderborn), midfielder Atakan Karazor (Dortmund), midfielder Konde (Wolfsburg II), forward Ilir Azemi (Greuther Furth) and forward Marvin Ducksch (St. Pauli).

Sandhausen will be pleased that they can count on all their key players this season again, although they tried to strengthen the squad by adding goalkeeper Marcel Schuhen (Rostock), defender Marcel Seegert (Mannheim), defender Ken Gipson (RB Leipzig), midfielder Eroll Zejnullahu (Union Berlin), midfielder Nejmeddin Daghfous (Wurzburg), midfielder Mirco Born (Meppen), midfielder Robert Herrmann (Wolfsburg II) and forward Ali Ibrahimaj (Mannheim) to their ranks.

Holstein Kiel

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Luca Durholtz (illness), Atakan Karazor (ankle)

Sandhausen

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Jose Pierre Vunguidica, Mirco Born, Rick Wulle (all knee); Robert Herrmann (broken foot), Maximilian Jansen (unspecified)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

This is the beginning of a new era for Holstein Kiel. After several years of trying they have managed to return to 2.Bundesliga and will want to do their best in order to be competitive in this league. If their squad remains relatively injury free, then they should find their place in Germany’s second tier despite having the second lowest budget after Jahn Regensburg. One of their strengths is their defence, with only 25 goals conceded in 38 matches last season, but the team will have to have a serious look at their goalscoring.

Sandhausen should be able to get off to a good start to the new campaign as they have the same starting XI available as last season. The players will know each other and be familiar with each other’s strengths and weaknesses – something that could give the club an advantage over their opponents and could provide a welcome boost. Sandhausen are known for their compact style of play, which doesn’t tend to be popular amongst their opponents. 

Both teams are known for their fighting spirit and this could be an exciting game. However, it will be Kiel’s first 2.Bundesliga match while Sandhausen have more experience in this tier and know how to win this kind of games. Coupled with the fact that they played well in their friendlies and are in form already, I expect Sandhausen to start the season as well as they started last year’s and grab all three points here.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – LOW (UNDER 2.5 GOALS)

Both teams are not proficient by any means when it comes to goals and Holstein Kiel had one of the best defences last season, which makes me want to opt for a bet on under 2.5 goals.

HEAD TO HEAD

These teams will meet for the first time in 2.Bundesliga.

1.FC Nürnberg - 1.FC Kaiserslautern

Two traditional clubs aiming for a better season

TEAM NEWS

Nurnberg icon Raphael Schafer has retired, but in Thorsten Kirschbaum and Fabian Bredlow (Hallescher FC) the club should have two good goalkeepers. The team’s defence has also seen several departures, but there have been replacements in the form of defender Ewerton (Sporting), defender Lukas Jager (Altach) and defender Enrico Valentini (Karlsruher SC) while the midfield has seen an improvement through Enis Alushi’s return from loan and Sebastian Kerk’s return to the club. Lucas Hufnagel (Freiburg) and Alexander Fuchs (1860 Munich) will add pace while Nurnberg will hope for more goals after welcoming Adam Zrelak (Jablonec) to the club.

Unsurprisingly a lot of changes have been made to Kaiserslautern’s squad, with many players leaving and joining the club. New signings include goalkeeper Marius Muller (RB Leipzig), defender Marcel Correia (Braunschweig), defender Giuliano Modica (Dresden), defender Guawara (Werder Bremen), defender Benjamin Kessel (Union Berlin), midfielder Mads Albaek (Goteborg), midfielder Gino Fechner (RB Leipzig), midfielder Baris Atik (Hoffenheim), midfielder Gervane Kastaneer (Den Haag), midfielder Lukas Spalvis (Sporting) and forward Brandon Borello (Brisbane).

Nurnberg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Lukas Muhl, Dennis Lippert (both knee)

Kaiserslautern

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Kacper Przybylko (foot)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Disappointed with their league position last season – the team ended the campaign in 12^th – Nurnberg will field an almost new line-up here. Pre-season was not bad and there will be the expectation that the club should perform better this time round. A mixture of young, talented and experienced players will be of benefit to the squad, but if they play too offensively it can be a problem for their defensive work and coach Michael Kollner has to find the right balance.

Kaiserslautern too experienced a disappointing season and they will have to start from scratch after seeing a lot of changes in their squad and coaching staff. They will have to build a new strong squad and will hope that their new players will add more quality and strength in order to finish this season more positively and in a higher position than 13^th. However, their biggest problem is their attack which scored a poor 29 goals during the last campaign.

I think this will be a very close game, but Nurnberg have home advantage and great supporters who will cheer them on towards three points. Kaiserslautern are not yet ready, with some new players having arrived late and needing time to gel. Expect a home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – LOW (UNDER 2.5 GOALS)

Although 18 of Nurnberg’s home matches against Kaiserslautern ended with three goals or more, compared to 13 with fewer than three goals, I don’t think we will see a lot of goals in this opener and I’ll go with under 2.5 here.

HEAD TO HEAD

Nurnberg’s all-time home record against Kaiserslautern is 15 wins, seven draws and nine defeats, with 47 goals for and 48 goals against.

Arminia Bielefeld - Jahn Regensburg

Important first encounter for both

TEAM NEWS

Bielefeld‘s squad has undergone several changes with several players not receiving a new contract. New arrivals include goalkeeper Stefan Ortega (1860 Munich), defender Nils Teixeira (Dresden), midfielder Konstantin Kerschbaumer (Brentford), midfielder Patrick Weihrauch (Wurzburg), forward Andraz Sporar (Basel) and forward Nils Quaschner (RB Leipzig).

Newly-promoted Jahn Regensburg have lost two key players from their successful team last season as midfielder Erik Thommy returned to Augsburg while midfielder Kolja Pusch is back with Heidenheim. They have signed several new players, but none of them have experience at playing in 2.Bundesliga. With midfielder Sebastian Stolze (Wolfsburg), forward Jonas Nietfeld (Zwickau), defender Benedikt Gimber (Hoffenheim), defender Asger Sorensen (RB Salzburg), midfielder Albion Vrenezi (Augsburg), forward Patrick Dzalto (Leverkusen) and forward Joshua Mees (1899 Hoffenheim) they have a squad full of young and talented players.

Bielefeld

Suspended: None

Doubtful: Soren Brandy (thigh)

Injured/unavailable: Christopher Nothe (knee)

Jahn Regensburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: OIiver Hein (knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Bielefeld will be hoping for a much better start than last season and therefore for a campaign without any trouble. Overall they should not change much with regard to their starting XI and it means they will have a team available that need no time to gel. Coach Jeff Saibene knows his men very well and might include new arrival Konstantin Kerschbaumer in the line-up.

Newly-promoted Jahn Regensburg have the lowest budget of the 18 clubs and they must work hard if they do not want to be relegated after just one season – something that happened to them not too long ago. However, their new and beautiful stadium should push them additionally this time round while there is also a new coach in charge in Achim Beierlorzer after Heiko Herrlich left for Leverkusen before the beginning of the season. Beierlorzer was U-23 coach at RB Leipzig and knowing how to work with young players, he will put a lot of emphasis on forming a well-balanced and operating team. However, the club’s main aim will be to avoid relegation this season.

I don’t expect to see a great game here, with both teams looking to defend, and this could mean a goalless draw.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – LOW (UNDER 2.5 GOALS)

These teams have not met in Germany’s second tier since March 2004 when they played each other in Bielefeld. It was an uneventful and scoreless draw. Both teams will be focussing on safety first in their first match and I predict under 2.5 goals.

HEAD TO HEAD

Bielefeld have hosted Jahn Regensburg just three time, with all matches ending in draws.

SV Darmstadt 98 - Greuther Fürth

Relegated Darmstadt host a traditional 2.Bundesliga club

TEAM NEWS

Darmstadt have lost several important players in the form of Michael Esser, Marcel Heller, Mario Vrancic, Felix Platte, Jerome Gondorf and Hamit Altintop, but they were able to get some quality back into their squad with goalkeeper Joel Mall (Grasshoppers), midfielder Kevin Großkreutz (Stuttgart), midfielder Tobia Kempe (Nurnberg), midfielder Yannick Stark (FSV Frankfurt), forward Artur Sobiech (Hannover), midfielder Romuald Lacazette (1860 Munchen), midfielder Marvin Mehlem (Karlsruher SC) and forward McKinze Gaines (U-19 Wolfsburg).

Greuther Furth have seen Robert Zulj and Marcel Franke depart and have tried to compensate for the loss of their two important players by signing midfielder Nik Omladic (Braunschweig), defender Maximilian Wittek (1860 Munchen), forward Philipp Hofmann (Brentford), midfielder Manuel Torres (Karlsruher SC) and goalkeeper Timo Konigsmann (Hannover).

Darmstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Patrick Banggaard (illness), Jan Rosenthal (knee)

Greuther Furth

Suspended: None

Doubtful: Maximilian Wittek (thigh)

Injured/unavailable: Richard Magyar (ankle), Sercan Sararer (groin), Philipp Hofmann (ligaments), Mathis Bolly (muscle)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

After one of the worst seasons in the club’s history Darmstadt are looking forward to better times and they are working hard to get a good squad together. However, it looks like that they have done their homework and they are more competitive this season. Coach Torsten Frings has done a good job and has the trust of all his players. He has a lot of options in all positions and this makes Darmstadt very unpredictable this season.

Greuther Furth on the other hand have added pace to their squad, which was evident in their pre-season friendlies. They are much more variable than last season and can use different systems, if needed. The only problem at the moment is their defence and they are a bit short of options as Richard Magyar is out, with midfielder Adam Pinter a candidate for the open position in central back, but it is far from ideal.

Furth suffer from too many problems defensively and that will make it difficult for them to beat Darmstadt. The hosts are better prepared than in previous seasons and should get the campaign off to a good start by clinching three points.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – HIGH (OVER 2.5 GOALS)

The statistics have been very even in Darmstadt’s last eight home matches, with four of the games ending with more than and four fewer than 2.5 goals. However, I expect both teams to push from the beginning and expect at least three goals here.

HEAD TO HEAD

Darmstadt’s all-time home record against Greuther Furth is five wins, one draw and two defeats, with 12 goals for and seven goals against.