The top match of the 2nd Bundesliga is something special. When FC Schalke 04 travels to southern Hesse to face SV Darmstadt 98, the league leaders and second-placed team will clash on Saturday evening (March 21st/8:30pm). Offensively strong Darmstadt against defensively solid Schalke. All the important facts and figures about Saturday evening's duel are compiled for you here in the Top Facts.
For the second time this second-division season, the top two teams are facing off. This was the case on matchday 14, when FC Schalke 04 battled SC Paderborn and overtook SCP at the top of the table. However, it’s not just the top two teams in the league that are facing off, but also the best offence and the best defence. When SV Darmstadt 98 fans go to the stadium, they usually have something to cheer about: the ball has found the back of the net 48 times against the Lilies‘ opponents. On the other hand, Schalke regularly shut down their goal. Conceding only 23 goals is the best record in the league – which is also due to the fact that they have allowed the fewest shots on goal overall (246).
The two teams have already met twice this season, back in October. Schalke won the league match with a narrow 1-0 victory, inflicting one of Darmstadt’s only three defeats this season. Moussa Sylla, who scored the winning goal that day, has been more of a reserve player since the second half of the season, but could see more playing time due to Edin Dzeko’s suspension.
However, Darmstadt responded just a few days later in the DFB Cup round of 16. Playing at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor, they dominated from the outset and advanced to the next round with a resounding 4-0 victory.
Saturday evening, Böllenfalltor. These two words surely make the heart of every Darmstadt 98 supporter swell with excitement. It’s already the fifth match of the season to kick off at the Merck Stadium at 8:30pm. Darmstadt have remained undefeated throughout. But it’s not just at this special time that they shine in front of their home crowd. Their last defeat on their own turf was on May 3, 2025, against HSV. This season, they’ve conceded only nine goals in their 13 home games so far and kept seven clean sheets. In the last five matches at the Bölle, Marcel Schuhen has only had to pick the ball out of his net once – in the game against Fortuna Düsseldorf.
One area where Darmstadt 98 often excels is set pieces. Their 15 goals from set pieces are an impressive tally. Only Paderborn and Bielefeld have scored more, with 16 goals each. Schalke 04 also seems to thrive in this statistic, having scored almost a third (38 percent) of their goals from set pieces.
Isac Lidberg, Darmstadt’s top scorer, now has 13 goals in the current second-division season and leads the scoring charts alongside Benjamin Källman (Hannover 96) and Marvin Wanitzek (Karlsruher SC). During the 1-0 defeat against Miron Muslic’s team, fans were eagerly anticipating a striker duel between Isac Lidberg and Moussa Sylla. However, this didn’t materialise due to the Swede’s injury last October.
Now, ahead of the return leg, many football fans were not only looking forward to the clash between the two teams, but also to a potential encounter between Edin Dzeko in Schalke’s attack and Isac Lidberg in the Darmstadt forward line. However, Dzeko’s red card suspension will prevent this as well. Nevertheless, Kenan Karaman, with eleven goals, is also near the top of the scoring charts, sitting in fifth place, and has a significant impact on Schalke’s attacking play.
Five of Kohfeldt’s players will go into Saturday evening’s top match with four yellow cards. Luca Marseiler, Fraser Hornby, Isac Lidberg, Merveille Papela, and Aleksandar Vukotic are at risk of suspension if they receive another yellow card.
For the visitors, Ron Schallenberg, Soufiane El-Faouzi, and Mertcan Ayhan will travel to Darmstadt with four yellow cards each.
|
Games |
Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals | |
|
Home |
12 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 19:21 |
|
Away |
10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 17:27 |
|
Overall |
22 | 8 | 2 | 12 | 36:48 |
On Sunday, the Lilies face a challenge in Baden: for the 8th matchday, SV Darmstadt 98 travel to take on Karlsruher SC. At the pre-match press conference, our head coach discussed the squad situation, the qualities of the opposition, and the team's motivation to get back to winning ways on the road.
On Sunday (October 18th), SV Darmstadt 98 will visit Karlsruher SC. KSC has a history that extends well beyond the confines of German football: the club from Baden once caused a stir on the European stage, writing a chapter that is still remembered today. But how did KSC manage to step into the international spotlight, and what made this success so special?
The next away match is coming up: this Sunday (October 18th, 1:30pm), the Lilien will visit Karlsruher SC for the 8th matchday of the 2. Bundesliga. As always, you can find all the essential information regarding travel and your visit to the stadium in the fan guidelines.
SV Darmstadt 98 invites all its members to come to the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor on November 1st, 2026, starting at 11:30am. Together, we aim to once again create the largest team photo in our club’s history—with the professional players in the front and the entire Lilies family behind them.
On Sunday (Oct 18th), SV Darmstadt 98 will visit Karlsruher SC. The side from Baden differs from the Lilies in several key respects. Furthermore, the match will see SV 98 cross paths with a former player once again. Find out here about other connections between the two clubs, as well as some particularly interesting statistics ahead of the encounter.
On Tuesday evening (October 13th), the SilberLilien took part in SV Darmstadt 98’s Stolperstein tour for the first time. Along the approximately six-kilometre route, the participants made several stops to learn more about the fates of Jewish club members who were persecuted and driven out during the Holocaust.
From new grassroots sports offerings and a look back at the club's history to birthdays and the latest updates from the media briefing—there is plenty to report from SV Darmstadt 98 again this week. In "Lilien Across the Board," we round up the news, insights, and stories from life at the club.
Tickets for the home match against 1. FC Heidenheim on November 22nd are available for purchase now.
SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team proved their mettle at home against KSV Hessen Kassel II in the Hessenliga on Sunday (Oct. 11th). After a convincing 90-minute performance, the Young Lilies secured another three points, finishing with a decisive 4–0 victory that lifts them to sixth place in the standings.
The Lilies overturned an early deficit to celebrate a 3–1 home victory against Energie Cottbus—a win that boosts confidence and confirms the progress being made. Read our analysis to find out why there is still work to be done and what positives SV 98 takes away from the match.
This season, too, Lilien fans will be doubly rewarded for every home goal scored by SV Darmstadt 98. In addition to the joy and excitement of the goals, the team's supporters will receive 98 litres of Krombacher Pils for every home goal scored by Darmstadt at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor.
After the international break, Darmstadt 98 returned to the Bölle with a home win! Against Energie Cottbus, SV Darmstadt 98 put on a spirited performance in front of their home crowd and rewarded themselves with three points after an intense match. We've compiled the post-match reactions for you here: