Hertha BSC struggles with converting chances, especially at home, but boasts one of the most solid defences in the league. SV Darmstadt 98, on the other hand, aims to extend its unbeaten run and improve its record at the Olympic Stadium. We've compiled these and other statistics in this report. Here you'll find the key facts about the match between Hertha BSC and SV Darmstadt 98.
When the match between Hertha BSC and SV Darmstadt 98 kicks off at 1:30pm on Sunday at the Olympic Stadium, it won’t just be the seventh-placed team hosting the second-placed team, but also the second-best defence and the best offence in the league. The Berliners have conceded just 18 goals in their 19 second-division matches so far. This makes them the second-best defence in the league after current league leaders Schalke 04, who have conceded 12 goals. However, the established defence of the capital club will be met with the potent attacking power of Darmstadt: the Lilies have already scored 34 goals. This league-best tally is shared by SV 98 with 1. FC Kaiserslautern and SV Elversberg.
Darmstadt’s status as one of the league’s top attacking forces is no accident. Their ranks include striker Isac Lidberg, who, along with Younes Ebnoutalib (now at Eintracht Frankfurt), has scored the most goals in the 2. Bundesliga (12). Combined with his three assists, he is the league’s undisputed top scorer. For the home side, left winger Fabian Reese consistently shines. Of his team’s 23 goals, he has provided eight assists, making him – ahead of Marco Richter (7) – the league’s leading provider.
Darmstadt’s winning streak continues after their victory against 1. FC Nürnberg: None of their last nine matches have ended without at least a point for Darmstadt. Hertha BSC, meanwhile, have lost only one of their last ten games.
However, Stefan Leitl’s team is winless in their last five matches – the Berliners have suffered one defeat and drawn four. Will either team slip up on Sunday? Their last two head-to-head encounters both ended in draws.
The fact that Hertha Berlin have only managed to take a single point from some of their matches is also due to the numerous chances they squandered. Their tally could have been significantly higher than the 23 goals they’ve scored so far, as Stefan Leitl’s team created 30 clear-cut opportunities. Hertha failed to score in every other home game – a total of five times. Darmstadt, on the other hand, had fewer clear-cut chances than their upcoming opponents (22), but found the back of the net 34 times.
Despite Hertha Berlin’s low goal tally at home, Darmstadt should be wary. Firstly, the capital city side regularly creates good scoring opportunities – often lacking just that crucial bit of luck.
Secondly, Darmstadt 98’s previous trips to the Olympic Stadium have rarely been truly successful. In eleven matches in Berlin, the team from southern Hesse has won twice, drawn seven times, and lost twice.
Both Hertha BSC and SV Darmstadt 98 impress with their strong defensive work in high balls. The Berliners have only conceded one goal from a header so far – only 1. FC Kaiserslautern remains unbeaten in this category.
The Lilies also distinguish themselves by effectively preventing dangerous aerial situations early on. Only against two teams have attacking lines had fewer headed shots than against SV 98.
|
Games |
Wins | Draws | Defeats | Goals | |
|
Home |
14 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 15:16 |
|
Away |
11 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 8:17 |
|
Overall |
25 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 23:33 |
The worst fears have been confirmed: Luca Marseiler suffered a torn cruciate ligament in the home match against FC Schalke 04. The 29-year-old sustained the injury in the 23rd minute without any contact from an opponent. Marseiler will be sidelined for several months. Further treatment and the timing of the surgery will be decided in the coming days.
Next Thursday (26.03) at 1pm, SV Darmstadt 98 will play a friendly match against 1. FC Saarbrücken.
Patric Pfeiffer has been called up to the Ghanaian national team for the first time. The 26-year-old central defender is in the squad for the upcoming friendlies, in which Ghana will first face Austria on Friday (March 27th/6pm) and then Germany on Monday (March 30th/8:45pm).
A close match ended in a late defeat for SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team. On Saturday (March 21st, 3:00pm), the young Lilies hosted SC Waldgirmes. The two teams are now separated by only one point in the league table, a situation reflected in the course of the game and the final score of 2-1.
For every home goal scored by the Lilies, SV Darmstadt 98 fans will be doubly rewarded in the 2025/26 season. In addition to the joy and excitement, the Lilies' supporters will also receive 98 litres of Krombacher Pils for every home goal scored by Darmstadt at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor.
A thrilling match on Saturday evening ended in a draw: FC Schalke 04 and Darmstadt 98 played to a stalemate, each securing a point on matchday 27. The game was overshadowed by a potentially serious injury to Luca Marseiler. Following the match, both sides expressed their best wishes for the winger's recovery. The coaches' analysis of the game was similar: a fair draw. Here are the post-match reactions.
No winner on Saturday evening: The top match between Darmstadt and league leaders Schalke 04 ended 1-1 (1-1). Lidberg scored for the home side in first-half stoppage time. In a thrilling match, Darmstadt secured their 50th point of the season and remain firmly in contention at the top end of the table.
A top match at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor! On matchday 27, Darmstadt 98 host FC Schalke 04. Just in time for this clash, Fraser Hornby returns to the SV 98 starting lineup, replacing Niklas Schmidt. Fabian Nürnberger also starts in place of Fabian Holland. Killian Corredor is also available for SV 98 again, but the Frenchman will initially be on the bench.
Saturday evening. Floodlights. Top match. Darmstadt 98 hosts FC Schalke 04 for the 27th matchday of the 2. Bundesliga. Kick-off is at 8:30pm on Saturday (March 21st). What do both head coaches have to say before the game? Who will referee the match? And who will be the commentator? As usual, we've compiled all the important information about the game against the Royal Blues for you in our "Matchday Guide".
A floodlit match at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. How excited are the players for Saturday evening's clash? What strengths of the opponent should Darmstadt be particularly wary of? And what is their own game plan? Ahead of SV Darmstadt 98's home game against FC Schalke 04 (March 21st/8:30pm), Florian Kohfeldt answered these and other questions at the press conference on Friday (March 20th). We've summarised the most important statements from the Darmstadt coach for you.
On Saturday evening (21.03/20.30), SV Darmstadt 98 will host FC Schalke 04 and asks you to take note of the following information.
The top match of the 2nd Bundesliga is something special. When FC Schalke 04 travels to southern Hesse to face SV Darmstadt 98, the league leaders and second-placed team will clash on Saturday evening (March 21st/8:30pm). Offensively strong Darmstadt against defensively solid Schalke. All the important facts and figures about Saturday evening's duel are compiled for you here in the Top Facts.