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 "Bundesliga Talent Series" will launch in the 2026/27 season as an additional U21 competition to promote young talent in German professional football. SV 98 is one of 26 clubs from the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga that have committed to participating.
Tim Arnold will play in the Regionalliga West next season. SV 98 is loaning the 19-year-old to Sportfreunde Siegen. The fourth-division club also has an option to sign him permanently.
Want to take your team to the Heinerfest stage? Then apply now! SV Darmstadt 98 is looking for four teams to be part of the Lilies' Heinerfest game show and compete against former Lilie player Michael Stegmayer. The show takes place on Saturday, July 4th, from 4pm to 6pm. Amateur teams, groups of friends, families, fan clubs, and club groups are all welcome to participate.
With the start of the Hessian summer holidays on June 29th, the Merck Lilies football camps will of course also be in full swing again. You can find all the information here.
SV 98 is making changes to the head coaching positions for its U21 and U19 teams for the upcoming season. Sebastian Schmitt, who has been in charge of the U21s since February, will now coach the U19s. Conversely, the current U19 coach, Patrick Kurt, will take over the position with the U21s.
The SV Darmstadt 98 fan shop at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor will be closed next Monday (June 22nd). It will reopen on Tuesday (June 23rd) with its regular opening hours.
Where are the Darmstadt 98 players spending their summer holidays? We'll give you a brief overview. Furthermore, SV 98 welcomed their first new signing, Noah Weißhaupt, to the Böllenfalltor stadium this week, and the club's veterans team will be playing two matches again this weekend. We'll keep you up-to-date with all the latest news from SV Darmstadt 98 in our "Lilies Across the Board" section.
At the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor against FC Homburg: Ticket sales for the friendly match on July 14, 2026, at 6pm against the regional league team begin on June 18 at noon. Tickets are available as usual at the ticket office at the stadium and in our online ticket shop. We would also like to draw your attention to this very special match day: The friendly against FC Homburg will put our youngest fans in the spotlight, giving them their first ever children's match day at the stadium, an event never before seen at the Merck Stadium.
Fabio Torsiello will also play for Alemannia Aachen next season. SV 98 is loaning the 21-year-old attacking player to the third-division club for another season. Aachen also has an option to sign him permanently.
SV 98 has secured an offensive boost. Noah Weißhaupt will wear the Lilies' jersey in the future. The 24-year-old is transferring from SC Freiburg to Darmstadt.
