Darmstadt 98 aim to extend their unbeaten run at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. With one of the strongest offences and defences in the league, they intend to continue this winning streak. However, 1. FC Kaiserslautern also possesses a multitude of strengths: the Palatinate side impresses not only with their scoring prowess but also with their flexibility in terms of tactics and personnel. We've compiled the key facts about Kaiserslautern's versatility and other statistics relevant to this match in this report. Here you'll find the top facts for Saturday evening's game.
Darmstadt trailed 2-0 in Berlin – and the Lilies weren’t at their best throughout the first half against Nürnberg either. But despite his frustration, Florian Kohfeldt sees this as a strength of his team.
„We don’t lose our heads after difficult phases,“ the Darmstadt head coach explained after the Hertha match. This ability to bounce back after dips in performance and maintain belief in their chances of getting points is based on confidence in their own strengths. „We know there are a few things we can rely on,“ Kohfeldt continued. This season, SV 98 have fallen behind eight times, but have still managed to secure 14 points from those situations.
With this quality, SV Darmstadt 98 earned a draw in Berlin, securing not only a point but also extending their unbeaten run. This streak has now lasted for ten matches – currently the longest run in the 2. Bundesliga.
Among all 56 German professional clubs, only Borussia Dortmund, with 13 Bundesliga matches without a loss, can boast a better run. The Lilies are particularly thriving at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor: they have earned at least one point in every home game this season. Only SV Elversberg has achieved this feat in the 2. Bundesliga so far.
1. FC Kaiserslautern looks back on their last eleven second-division matches with mixed feelings. During this period, the Palatinate side only managed three victories. They’ve only picked up five points from their last five games. As a result, Kaiserslautern hasn’t been able to close the gap on the top teams, although they remain in the upper third of the table.
While Kaiserslautern recently lost at home to SV Elversberg, they have held their own against direct rivals earlier in the season. They collected three points in the first leg against league leaders Schalke 04 and were also successful against Hannover 96. Furthermore, they are one of only two teams to have managed to defeat Darmstadt this season.
A glance at the overall record of both teams initially paints a clear picture: it’s even. However, a closer look reveals a crucial factor: both teams have a significantly better record at their home ground.
Darmstadt 04 have yet to secure a victory at the Fritz-Walter-Stadion. At the Böllenfalltor, on the other hand, they have defeated 1. FC Kaiserslautern four times in seven matches, suffering only one defeat. Most recently, the team from southern Hesse celebrated a resounding 5-1 victory against Kaiserslautern in front of their home crowd.
It’s no coincidence that both teams are among the top three in the league’s attacking prowess. Both Darmstadt and Kaiserslautern’s forward lines have proven extremely efficient and clinical in front of goal this season in the second division.
FCK has scored the third-most goals with 35, while SV Darmstadt 98 currently has one more. The expected goals (xG) figures also underscore their offensive strength: Darmstadt’s is 33.98, Kaiserslautern’s 29.86, a figure surpassed by their actual goals scored. SV Elversberg is currently the league’s most prolific scorer with 37 goals.
But how many shots on goal do the Palatinate and South Hessian teams need to find the back of the net? On average, just eight! That’s the best figure in the league.
What makes a good team? They not only score goals but also impress with their defensive stability. Only three teams have conceded fewer goals than SV Darmstadt 98, who have let in 22 so far. This makes the Lilies one of the strongest defensive teams in the league.
FCK has conceded 27 goals, placing them in the upper half of the table. Defensively, Kaiserslautern is also among the more stable teams in the league.
While Kaiserslautern’s defence isn’t quite up to par with the top teams in the league, they excel in several other areas. Even when a striker isn’t scoring, despite their overall high goal tally, their substitutes often step up. No other team has scored more goals from substitutes (9) than Kaiserslautern.
Furthermore, Kaiserslautern are among the league’s strongest teams in the air, both offensively and defensively. They’ve headed the ball into the net seven times, a feat surpassed only by SC Paderborn (10). At the same time, neither goalkeeper Julian Krahl nor his backup Simon Simoni have conceded a headed goal yet.
Darmstadt’s defence should also be wary of their counter-attacking prowess: After winning possession, the Palatinate side transitions at top speed. Torsten Lieberknecht’s team has scored eight goals from counter-attacks.
Speaking of Torsten Lieberknecht: The 52-year-old head coach of 1. FC Kaiserslautern spent a total of three years on the sidelines for the South Hessian club, from 2021 to 2024. In the 2022/23 season, he led the Lilies to promotion to the top flight. In September 2024, the native of the Palatinate region announced his resignation from SV 98 and took over the „Red Devils“ in April 2025.
|
Games |
Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals | |
|
Home |
7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 17:7 |
|
Away |
7 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 7:14 |
|
Overall |
14 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 24:21 |
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: