Will the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor remain a fortress against Fortuna Düsseldorf? Will Darmstadt's unbeaten run continue? And can the Rhinelanders once again rely on their solid defence? Ahead of the clash between the two teams next Saturday at noon (February 21st/1pm), we take a look at the most important facts and figures about the match.
There’s no place like home, is there?! SV Darmstadt 98 has collected 27 of its 42 points at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor – placing it top of the 2. Bundesliga home table. Furthermore, the Lilies are the only team in the competition that has yet to lose at home. Across seasons, SVD is unbeaten in twelve home matches. Remarkably, the Lilies have won all of their last five encounters at the Bölle, and their last three home victories were achieved without conceding a single goal. Keep it up, Darmstadt!
Bielefeld, Hannover, Fürth, Elversberg, Karlsruhe, Münster, Paderborn, Bochum, Nürnberg, Hertha, Kaiserslautern, and Braunschweig: a total of twelve teams from the 2. Bundesliga. Yet none of these teams managed to inflict a defeat on SV Darmstadt 98 in the last twelve matchdays. The Lilies are unbeaten in exactly twelve games – six wins, six draws.
A 1-0 win against Arminia Bielefeld. A 2-1 defeat at Hannover 96. A 2-1 win against SC Paderborn. A 1-1 draw at Karlsruher SC. And a 0-0 draw against Preußen Münster. Fortuna Düsseldorf has started the 2026 football year with two wins, two draws, and one loss. Furthermore, Fortuna is unbeaten in three games – the longest such run the Rhinelanders have ever had this season. Particularly noteworthy in the second half of the season is the enormous stabilisation of Fortuna Düsseldorf’s defense. Conceding only four goals in 2026 is the best record in the entire league.
Darmstadt 98 have already shared the points in nine matches – more than any other team in the league. This means they have accumulated as many draws at this stage as they will in the entire 2024/25 season. However, these numerous draws also mean that Darmstadt rarely lose. They have only been defeated twice this season – all other second-division teams have lost at least five times.
With 42 goals this season, SV Darmstadt 98 boasts the best attack in the competition, scoring more than twice as many as Fortuna Düsseldorf (20). And Darmstadt could have scored even more. They hit the woodwork a total of 15 times – the most in the league.
Markus Anfang was the head coach of SV 98 in the 2020/21 season, finishing the campaign in seventh place with 51 points. Assistant coach Florian Junge also worked with him at the Böllenfalltor stadium and will later join Anfang’s team in Düsseldorf.
Semih Güler once wore the Fortuna Düsseldorf jersey as a youth player. The striker played for the Rhineland club’s U17 and U19 teams from 2013 to 2015.
Sergio Lopez and Marco Richter are approaching an anniversary: Both Lilies will celebrate their 50th second division game in an appearance against Fortuna Düsseldorf.
Marco Richter and Fraser Hornby are both still on four yellow cards. Another booking would therefore result in a suspension.
|
Games |
Wins | Draws | Defeats | Goals | |
|
Home |
11 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 11:21 |
| Away | 12 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 14:22 |
|
Overall |
23 | 7 | 3 | 13 | 25:43 |
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: