Stats & Statistics: The top facts about the Hertha game

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.