SV Darmstadt 98 will face off against Borussia Dortmund in a highly anticipated Bundesliga clash at Merck-Stadion am Bollenfalltor.
As both teams aim for a much-needed victory, we analyze the match preview, team news, form guide, and possible lineups.
Match Preview:
SV Darmstadt 98 has struggled to find success recently, failing to win any of their last 10 Bundesliga matches.
However, they managed to salvage a valuable point in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Hoffenheim in their final game of 2023.
With only 10 points from their first 16 fixtures, Darmstadt finds themselves in the relegation zone but still within three points of safety.
The team’s manager, Torsten Lieberknecht, acknowledges the need for improvement, particularly in the final third, after missing several chances in their recent friendly defeat against Holstein Kiel.
On the other hand, Borussia Dortmund has also experienced a dip in form, winning just one of their last eight league matches.
They dropped points in back-to-back draws against Augsburg and Mainz, slipping to fifth place in the Bundesliga table.
Head coach Edin Terzic is under pressure to turn things around after witnessing his side play out two consecutive friendly draws against AZ Alkmaar and Standard Liege.
Dortmund must secure victories against Darmstadt and Koln to climb back into the top four.
Team News:
SV Darmstadt 98 will be missing Fraser Hornby, Braydon Manu, Marvin Mehlem, and Aaron Seydel due to injuries.
Fabian Nurnberger, Christoph Zimmermann, and Mathias Honsak will be assessed before kickoff.
Captain Fabian Holland, who missed the final two games of 2023 due to illness, is likely to return to the starting lineup alongside Bartol Franjic in midfield.
Tim Skarke, with six goals this season, will lead the attack supported by Luca Pfeiffer and Tobias Kempe.
Borussia Dortmund will be without Karim Adeyemi, Felix Nmecha, Julian Ryerson, Ramy Bensebaini, and Sebastien Haller due to injuries and international duty.
The loan signing of Jadon Sancho from Manchester United adds excitement to the team, and he could make his second debut for Dortmund.
Thomas Meunier may continue at right-back if Marius Wolf remains unavailable due to illness. Niclas Fullkrug is pushing for a starting role as the central striker.
Possible Lineups:
SV Darmstadt 98: (3-4-1-2)
Schuhen;
Klarer, Gjasula, Isherwood;
Riedel, Franjic, Holland, Karic;
Kempe;
Pfeiffer, Skarke
Borussia Dortmund: (4-3-3)
Kobel;
Meunier, Sule, Hummels, Schlotterbeck;
Sabitzer, Can, Brandt;
Malen, Fullkrug, Bynoe-Gittens
Prediction: SV Darmstadt 98 1-3 Borussia Dortmund
In this crucial fixture, both teams are eager to return to winning ways. However, Borussia Dortmund enters as the favorites.
They possess the attacking firepower needed to exploit Darmstadt’s defensive vulnerabilities, having conceded the most goals in the league this season.