Saturday evening at the Böllenfalltor, the seventh edition! This time, SV Darmstadt 98 hosts SV Elversberg at the Merck Stadium. Both teams are strong offensively and convincing defensively. But where do the differences lie? And in which statistics do both the team from southern Hesse and the Saarlanders lead the pack? We've compiled all the facts and figures for this match right here for you.
Last year, SV Elversberg finished third in the table, meaning they had to play in the relegation play-offs, where they lost to 1. FC Heidenheim. With four matchdays remaining this season, head coach Vincent Wagner’s team is once again in third place. In Saturday evening’s top match, Darmstadt 98 will be chasing them. As fifth-placed, they are five points behind Elversberg and can close the gap to two points with a win.
Despite a recent draw against Schalke and a defeat against Hannover 96, SV Darmstadt 98 remains in second place in the home table. The loss against the Lower Saxony side was their first home defeat of the season. Now they host SV Elversberg, who have had a balanced season with similar home and away records. However, the Saarlanders have only managed two points from their last three away matches. Will the South Hessians rediscover their form at home, or will Elversberg find their form away from home as well?
The results of both teams‘ attacking play are very similar. Both Darmstadt 98 and Elversberg have already found the back of the net 52 times – a joint-best tally with SC Paderborn. Darmstadt has scored 19 goals, while Elversberg has 18. Both teams also tend to increase their attacking output after halftime. Darmstadt has scored 32 goals in the second half, while the team from Saarland has netted 33. 29 of Darmstadt’s goals were created through passing, more than any other team, with Elversberg managing 28 of those goals.
So many parallels, yet there are differences. The third-placed team has already scored eleven goals from open play crosses; only Hertha Berlin has found the net more often this way. Darmstadt, on the other hand, has scored 17 times from set pieces. The team from southern Hesse also frequently starts matches with a furious burst of speed, having beaten the opposing goalkeeper nine times in the opening quarter of an hour. Elversberg, however, has scored 18 goals in the final quarter of an hour – more than any other team.
The average number of goals conceded in the current second division season is 44. Darmstadt 98 have an above-average defence with 37 goals conceded, while SV Elversberg also boasts a very strong back line with 32. And what are their attacking strengths? Elversberg likes to cross the ball, while Darmstadt often scores from set pieces, including corners – they’ve already scored nine times from corners, the second-best record in the league. And defensively? Elversberg has only conceded two goals from corners so far. Darmstadt, on the other hand, has been very solid with crosses from open play. The spectators at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor can look forward to seeing which team will best utilise their strengths on the pitch this Saturday evening.
SV Elversberg’s position in the top three after Matchday 30 is well-deserved. They’ve created numerous clear-cut chances (57, second only to Hannover with 58). Their strong attacking play consistently generates opportunities, resulting in 43 goals from open play – the best in the league. Despite this league position and the highest goal tally, they only rank 16th in the finishing efficiency statistics.
Darmstadt 98 also boasts the highest goal tally, but they too have been unlucky in front of goal. It almost feels like they hit the woodwork in every match. They’ve now struck the woodwork 18 times. Most recently against Fürth, Isac Lidberg’s shot once again rattled the opponent’s goal.
Three Darmstadt players have received four yellow cards this season. Fraser Hornby, Merveille Papela, and Aleksandar Vukotic would miss the next match if they receive another yellow card.
|
Games |
Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals | |
|
Home |
8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 10:9 |
|
Away |
9 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 8:13 |
|
Overall |
17 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 18:22 |
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: