Bundesliga basement club SV Darmstadt 98 will be looking to propel themselves out of the relegation zone when they play host to Wolfsburg at the Merck-Stadion am Bollenfalltor on Saturday afternoon.
These two out-of-form teams have picked up the fewest points over the last five German top-flight matches, with Darmstadt collecting just two compared to Wolfsburg's three.
Match preview
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Darmstadt have extended their winless run in the Bundesliga to seven matches after suffering a 3-2 away defeat to fellow promoted side Heidenheim last weekend – their nine league loss of the campaign.
Die Lilien were leading 2-1 heading into the final half hour thanks to an own goal from Lennard Maloney, but Heidenheim quickly turned the game on if head courtesy of two goals in two minutes from central defender Patrick Mainka.
Following Union Berlin's victory over Borussia Monchengladbach last weekend as well as the goalless draw between Koln and Mainz 05, Torsten Lieberknecht's side have slipped from 16th place to the foot of the Bundesliga table, but victory on Saturday could be enough to see them climb out of the danger zone if other results go their way.
Darmstadt, who have conceded a league-high 37 goals thus far, enter their clash with Wolfsburg having only picked up five points from their first seven home matches this term – their worst-ever points tally at Merck-Stadion am Bollenfalltor at this stage of a Bundesliga season.
Die Lilien have also failed to win each of their last two home games without scoring against fellow strugglers Mainz and Koln, but they can reminisce abut the 3-1 victory over Wolfsburg in their last home meeting in October 2016.
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After making a bright start to the 2023-24 campaign, winning four of their first six Bundesliga matches, Wolfsburg have since plummeted down the top-flight standings after winning just one of their last eight games, losing three of their last four in the process.
Die Weissgrunen were unable to shake off the disappointment of losing in extra time to Monchengladbach in the DFB-Pokal last 16, as they suffered another 1-0 defeat at home against Freiburg in the Bundesliga last weekend, with Michael Gregoritsch netting the only goal in the 74th minute.
The pressure is beginning to mount on manager Niko Kovac, who will now be looking over his shoulder at a possible relegation scrap as his Wolfsburg side currently sit 15th in the Bundesliga table and only six points above the bottom three.
Only Heidenheim and Werder Bremen (one each) have picked up fewer points on the road this season than Wolfsburg (three), who head into Saturday's match having lost six away games in a row by an aggregate score of 17-5.
Defeat against Darmstadt would see Wolfsburg equal an unwanted club record of seven straight away league defeats, which they last achieved 18 years ago. However, victory versus Die Lilien could propel Kovac and co back into contention for European qualification as well as provide a much-needed boost ahead of a tricky clash with Bayern Munich next week.
Team News
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Darmstadt quartet Marvin Mehlem (broken leg), Christoph Zimmermann, Fraser Hornby and Braydon Manu (all ankle) all remain sidelined with injuries, while Fabian Nurnberger (ankle) and Fabian Holland (illness) are both doubtful and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
Christoph Klarer and Matej Maglica will both be pushing to return to the starting lineup and could replace Jannik Muller and Thomas Isherwood at centre-back, with Klaus Gjasula set to retain his spot at the heart of the defence.
With Matthias Bader expected to return at right wing-back, Tim Skarke could move into attack to take the place of either Luca Pfeiffer or Aaron Seydel, who are still searching for their first Bundesliga goals of the season.
As for Wolfsburg, Lukas Nmecha, Amin Sarr (both knee), Patrick Wimmer (ligament) and Rogerio (hamstring) are all nursing injuries and are not expected to return until the New Year, while Maximilian Arnold is suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
The absence of key midfielder Arnold could see Aster Vranckx handed a start alongside Mattias Svanberg, with Lovro Majer and either Yannick Gerhardt or Vaclav Cerny operating in advanced roles in behind central striker Jonas Wind, who has scored nine goals this season but just one in his last seven games.
SV Darmstadt 98 possible starting lineup:
Schuhen; Klarer, Gjasula, Maglica; Bader, Kempe, Holland, Karic; Skarke, Pfeiffer; Vilhelmsson
Wolfsburg possible starting lineup:
Casteels; Lacroix, Jenz, Zesiger; Baku, Svanberg, Vranckx, Maehle; Cerny, Majer; Wind
We say: SV Darmstadt 98 1-2 Wolfsburg
Saturday's fixture represents a good opportunity for both Darmstadt and Wolfsburg to return to winning ways and climb away from danger before the mid-season winter break begins in the middle of next week.
Wolfsburg have endured a miserable run of form away from home, but their attackers should have more joy in the final third against a leaky Darmstadt backline that has conceded an average of 2.6 goals per game so far this season.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Oliver Thomas
