Darmstadt will host FC Koln on Friday night in a match between two Bundesliga relegation battlers. Koln are currently propping up the Bundesliga table, with a mere six points after 12 games.
The Billy Goats failed to win their last two Bundesliga matches, collecting two points during that time.
Geht zur Sache 👊 Und tut vielleicht auch mal ein bisschen weh... 😅 #sv98 pic.twitter.com/y6cQhU06NW— SV Darmstadt 98 (@sv98) November 28, 2023
Geht zur Sache 👊 Und tut vielleicht auch mal ein bisschen weh... 😅 #sv98 pic.twitter.com/y6cQhU06NW
No team in the Bundesliga has scored fewer goals than Koln’s nine. Darmstadt are 15th in the standings, and one point above the relegation zone.
No team has conceded more goals this season than Darmstadt. They have allowed 33 goals to opponents. Meanwhile, they tallied 15 goals.
Like FC Koln, Darmstadt are not in form going into round No. 13. Darmstadt are on a five-match winless streak, with three losses and two draws. Their last two games finished as stalemates.
These teams have not met since the 2018-19 season in the second division. Koln won on their last trip to Darmstadt.
However, Koln went unbeaten in five of their last six games, with four wins and a draw between 2015 and 2019. Four of the six matches ended with over 2.5 goals.
Darmstadt took five points from their opening six home matches, scoring 10 times and conceding 14 goals.
They failed to win their last three home games, with two losses and a draw.
Koln, on the other hand, only took two points from their six away matches. They scored a league low three goals away from home.
The Billy Goats a4re not a good attacking team at all this season. Koln conceded 14 times on the road.
Koln did draw 1-1 with Bochum in their last away matches. It was a positive result due to Bochum being a relegation rival. However, missing out on all three points was a major issue.
A win for Koln on Friday would see them draw level on points with Darmstadt and move out of the relegation zone. Due to a better goal difference, Koln would be 15th for at least 24 hours.
Forward Sargis Adamyan is out of action for Koln due to a hip injury. Midfielder Max Finkgrafe is a doubt following an illness. Goalkeeper Philipp Pentke is unlikely to play after suffering a knee injury.
Darmstadt’s Christoph Zimmermann is unlikely to play following an ankle injury. Fraser Hornby is also a doubt following an ankle issue.
Forward Braydon Manu is nursing a serious ankle injury and won’t return until January. Midfielder Fabio Torsiello could be cleared to play.
Friday’s game should see goals scored by two teams with atrocious defences. The match should finish 2-2 with neither side able to take max points.