While Bielefeld are looking to improve their record to secure safety at the end of the season, SV Darmstadt 98 are eager to finally pick up three points away from home. In Saturday's match (April 4th, 1pm) between Arminia Bielefeld and Darmstadt, the 15th-placed team hosts the fourth-placed side. You can read about the areas where the two teams are closely matched, as well as all the key facts and figures, in the Top Facts section below.
Since their 2-0 away win in Magdeburg, Bielefeld has now gone five matches without another victory. During this period, Bielefeld has recorded the worst record of all Bundesliga teams, managing only one point. As a result, they have slipped from tenth place to fifteenth, finding themselves level on points with Holstein Kiel, who occupy the relegation playoff spot, in the tight relegation zone. However, head coach Mitch Kniat’s team has also had a tough run of fixtures. Their recent opponents were Hannover, Schalke, Paderborn, and Elversberg – all teams currently in the top five.
Darmstadt, on the other hand, boast an excellent home record, but have drawn six of their last seven away matches and suffered one defeat. While Bielefeld are desperately seeking a victory to escape the relegation zone, Darmstadt are aiming for their first away win in quite some time.
Arminia Bielefeld can look back on a strong record against Darmstadt ahead of this encounter. They are unbeaten in their last eight matches against the Lilies, securing six wins and two draws. Furthermore, they demonstrated resilience in the first leg at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor, twice coming back from behind to take a point back to East Westphalia. Florian Kohfeldt’s team will be looking to change that record. Fabian Holland, in particular, is aiming not only to take three points from the SchücoArena for the first time, but also to achieve this feat in his 250th second-division appearance, should he play.
Darmstadt often enters a match stronger than their opponents, at least on paper, when it comes to set pieces. This is because the South Hessians have already given their fans reason to cheer 16 times from a set piece. Only Paderborn have scored more often in this category (17). However, Darmstadt’s defence will need to be wary of set pieces on Saturday afternoon. Bielefeld are also extremely dangerous in this area – their 16 goals speak for themselves. In open play, however, the Kniat-coached team struggles somewhat. They have only scored 23 goals from open play, while Darmstadt have been successful 33 times.
Darmstadt 98 impress with their aerial dominance: ten of their 39 goals have come from the head – almost reaching the top of the league, with only Paderborn ahead with 13. Darmstadt 98 have scored eight goals in this category. However, they are defensively solid: Darmstadt have conceded just four headed goals – only Kaiserslautern have a better record with three.
Five Darmstadt players are at risk of receiving yellow cards in the match against Arminia Bielefeld. Fraser Hornby, Kai Klefisch, Isac Lidberg, Merveille Papela and Aleksandar Vukotić have each been booked four times so far this second division season.
|
Games |
Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals | |
|
Home |
13 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 28:21 |
|
Away |
12 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 9:20 |
|
Overall |
25 | 7 | 6 | 12 | 37:41 |
An emotional match with many controversial moments unfolded on Sunday afternoon at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. Ultimately, Darmstadt suffered their first home defeat of the young season. We've compiled the post-match reactions for you.
Tried everything, but to no avail: SV 98 came up short in their home game against Hannover 96. The final score was 1-0 (0-0) to the visitors, whilst the Lilies had to play with ten men after Vukotic was sent off in the 20th minute.
Home game against Hannover! On matchday 3, Darmstadt 98 will host the ambitious Lower Saxons at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. Florian Kohfeldt has made three changes to his starting lineup compared to the victory in Jena. Hiroki Akiyama replaces the suspended Kai Klefisch, while Nicolas Verkooijen (making his first start) and Yosuke Furukawa start in place of Carlo Sickinger and Manolo Merx.
Weekend, Lilies fever! On Sunday (August 30th/1:30pm), the Lilies have their third matchday on the schedule. Hannover 96, the club from the Lower Saxon capital, will be visiting the Bölle. What do the two head coaches have to say before kickoff? Who will be refereeing the match? And where can you watch the game? As usual, we've compiled all the important information about the match against Hannover in our "Matchday Guide"
One day before their home game against Hannover 96, Darmstadt 98 have announced another new signing. William Mikelbrencis will now wear the SV 98 jersey. The 22-year-old Frenchman was under contract with Hamburger SV until June 30th.
In the press conference before the second home game of the still young season, our head coach spoke about, among other things, our team's attacking play and the past week. As usual, you can find the most important statements before the match against Hannover 96 (August 30th/1:30pm) here for you.
A second-division team on the Berlin Mount Olympus: Hannover 96 achieved something unique in 1992. On May 23, the Lower Saxony club defeated Borussia Mönchengladbach in the DFB Cup final, securing another major title in the club's history 38 years after their German championship win in 1954. Hannover became the first and, to this day, only "true" second-division team to win the DFB Cup, causing one of the biggest upsets in the competition's history.
A special place of remembrance for one of the most famous Darmstadt fans. Before SV Darmstadt 98's home game against Hannover 96 on Sunday (August 30th), Jonathan Heimes Square at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor will be officially opened.
Darmstadt's league campaign resumes on Sunday (August 30th). Their opponent? Hannover 96! Hannover 96 have lost more often to Darmstadt than to any other team in the 2. Bundesliga. All the other facts and figures surrounding the match can be found here.
On Sunday (August 30, 2026, 1:30pm), SV 98 asks you to take note of the following information for the upcoming home game. Starting this season, we will be offering women's entrances at the west entrances. Additionally, there is a Bölle Bande family entrance with easier access at the Karl-Hess-Platz entrance.
In Wednesday's media briefing, Nicolas Verkooijen spoke about his Kickbase team, communication within the squad, and the intensive training in Germany. A former Darmstadt 98 player had the opportunity to compete against the best footballers, and we report on the historic stadium tour as part of the Bundesliga's founding anniversary celebrations. All the latest news from SV Darmstadt 98 can be found, as usual, in "Lilies Across the Board"
A journey to the roots of the Lilies: Where churches, residential buildings, or clubhouses stand today, Darmstadt football history was once written. To mark the Day of German Football History, 35 participants set out on a special tour of discovery aboard the professional team's bus—tracing the path from the early pitches of FK Olympia and SC Darmstadt to the club's current home at the Böllenfalltor.