Numbers & Facts: The top stats about the Fürth game

SpVgg Greuther Fürth currently occupies second-to-last place in the second division. However, the bottom third of the table is even more tightly packed than the top third. Only two points separate the Cloverleaf from eleventh place. Their current position in the relegation zone is also due to their last three matches, in which they have only managed one point. They failed to score a single goal in their last two games.

SV Darmstadt 98 is also looking to improve. After their defeat in Bielefeld, their performance against Hannover 96 was already better. Nevertheless, they ultimately suffered a loss. It was the first time this season that the Lilies have left the pitch empty-handed in two consecutive matches. Therefore, both teams are challenged to give their all in Sunday’s match (April 19th, 1:30pm) to secure crucial points in the final stretch of the season.

Even though Greuther Fürth’s record in the last three matches hasn’t been outstanding, they have already shown that they can more than hold their own against teams from the top third of the table. While their recent games included a defeat against SC Paderborn, prior to these three matches they secured two victories against Hannover 96 and SV Elversberg, and drew against league leaders Schalke 04.

A statistic that speaks in favour of Heiko Vogel’s team on the one hand, is something they feel bitterly against on the other. With a value of 7.5, they boast the best finishing efficiency in the second Bundesliga. Conversely, opposing teams are particularly dangerous in front of goal when playing against Greuther Fürth. On average, Fürth’s opponents achieve a finishing efficiency of 6.3 – the best value against any team. In comparison, Darmstadt’s opponents average -11.1.

Although Darmstadt 98 currently tops the home table, they need to improve their away form. With six draws and two losses in their last eight away matches, they sit eighth in the away table. And Florian Kohfeldt’s team faces another away game on Sunday.

However, Darmstadt’s upcoming opponents have been favourable in recent history. Darmstadt has won their last three matches against Greuther Fürth, while Fürth’s last victory against Darmstadt was in May 2023. Not only has Kohfeldt won all five of his matches as coach against Greuther Fürth, but Isac Lidberg also boasts an impressive record, having been involved in the last three games, scoring in each one.

SpVgg Greuther Fürth knows how to steal the ball from their opponents and then put it in the back of the net. They’ve already scored eleven goals after winning possession. Only Elversberg has scored more in this way.

Darmstadt 04, on the other hand, derives much of its success from set pieces. South Hessian fans have celebrated 17 goals from their team’s dead-ball attacks. Only Paderborn has more (18). Darmstadt 98’s set-piece goals have become so efficient that they now score over a third of their goals this way.

Free kicks also contribute to Darmstadt’s impressive set-piece statistics. Six free kicks have resulted in goals for Darmstadt – the best record in the second division. While Darmstadt consistently benefits from this, Fürth dreads it, having conceded four goals from free kicks – more than any other team.

Three players are in danger of receiving their fifth yellow card in this match. For Darmstadt, Fraser Hornby, Merveille Papela, and Aleksandar Vukotic have already accumulated four yellow cards each.