SV Darmstadt 98 – Bayer Leverkusen
This Saturday has five exciting games in store for us Bundesliga fans in the conference. A real clash of opposites will take place at the Böllenfalltor at 3:30 pm. The bottom team in the league will host the league leaders. You can find out whether a surprise could await us there in our Darmstadt – Leverkusen betting tip.
In the 2023/24 season, the bottom of the table will meet the leaders for the first time. The last time this happened was in November 2022 in the match between Schalke and Bayern, which the record champions won 2-0.
Darmstadt, meanwhile, also suffered another setback in the previous week. SVD deservedly lost 1-0 in the basement clash against Union Berlin, while Bayer Leverkusen missed out on an important step towards the championship last matchday. The Werkself were held to a 0-0 draw in their Rhineland clash against Gladbach
Darmstadt – Leverkusen info
- Date & Time: 03.02.2024, 15:30 hrs.
- Playing venue: Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor, Darmstadt
- Competition: Bundesliga, matchday 20
- TV broadcast: Sky
Darmstadt Form & Balance Check
SV Darmstadt were somewhat surprisingly promoted from Bundesliga 2 to the German top flight in the previous season. The Lilies fans were therefore already aware before the season that the only goal this season would be to avoid relegation. And this is certainly still possible for coach Torsten Lieberknecht’s team.
With eleven points so far, SVD are only two points behind the relegation spot currently occupied by 1. FC Köln. However, the Hessians have only managed two wins so far this season and have been waiting for a three-pointer in the German top flight since the beginning of October
Lilien without defensive stability
The impressive defensive performance played a decisive role in Darmstadt 98’s success in the promotion season. The Lilies conceded just 33 goals in the entire second division season, making them the most stable defense in the entire lower division. So far this season, however, SVD cannot rely on a solid defense.
Darmstadt have already conceded 47 goals, 15 more than in the previous season, making them the most vulnerable defensive line in the league. Even Gladbach, who have the second weakest defense, have conceded nine fewer goals. The Lilies have also conceded more than three goals three times and even conceded five in the first leg against the Werkself
Darmstadt facts & analysis
- SV Darmstadt 98 have not won in 13 games.
- With 4 red cards, SV Darmstadt 98 top the Bundesliga’s list of offenders.
- SV Darmstadt 98 have failed to score in 4 of their 10 home games in the Bundesliga this season.
Leverkusen Form & Balance Check
Bayer Leverkusen continue to play an outstanding season. Coach Xabi Alonso’s men continue to sit enthroned at the top of the table and already have 25 points more to their name compared to the same point in the previous season. However, the Werkself suffered a minor setback last matchday.
In the Rhineland duel against Borussia Mönchengladbach, Bayer 04 could not manage more than a 0-0 draw. The lead over Bayern in second place in the table shrank to two points. The big showdown between the two top teams will then take place in the BayArena next week.
Historic Werkself
This season could be truly historic for the Rhinelanders. Leverkusen have not lost any of their 28 competitive matches so far this season. The men under the Bayerkreuz achieved a comparable run back in their second division days. Back then, the sequence came to an end in the 29th competitive match in February 1979 against Fortuna Köln. However, this streak should not be broken against Darmstadt.
The Werkself fans are therefore particularly keen for a win. A three-pointer in Darmstadt would help Leverkusen surpass last year’s points haul on matchday 20, which would be historic. Never before has the Werkself surpassed the points total from the previous season so early; previously, this did not happen until matchday 21 at the earliest
Leverkusen facts & analysis
- Did you know that Bayer Leverkusen score 24% of their goals between the 61-75 minute mark?
- Bayer Leverkusen have not lost any of their last 31 games.
- Bayer Leverkusen have scored in each of their last 30 matches.
Predicted line-up – last update on February 1, 2024
After Darmstadt recently played with a back four against Union without success, we expect coach Lieberknecht’s team to play with a back three again on Saturday. Luca Pfeiffer will once again play up front.
We will again see the visitors from Leverkusen in their usual 3-4-2-1 formation. Edmond Tapsoba is now back from the Africa Cup, but will probably sit on the bench for the time being. We also assume that Granit Xhaka will not play, as he currently has four yellow cards and FC Bayern await next week
Darmstadt – Leverkusen head-to-head & stats
The two teams have met eight times in competitive matches so far. Leverkusen have been successful six times, while the Lilies have only won two. The Lilies’ only home win came in the 2nd round of the DFB Cup in 1989
- In the last 6 duels, SV Darmstadt 98 have left the pitch as winners 1 time. 0 games ended in a draw, Bayer Leverkusen won 5 times. Bayer Leverkusen have a goal difference of 16-6.
- Luca Pfeiffer has the most assists for SV Darmstadt 98 with 3 assists. Alex Grimaldo (8) leads the way for Bayer Leverkusen.
- SV Darmstadt 98 win the first half in 17% of their games, Bayer Leverkusen in 54% of their games
- On average SV Darmstadt 98 scores 1 goals against Bayer Leverkusen and Bayer Leverkusen scores 2.4 goals against SV Darmstadt 98.
- SV Darmstadt 98 scores an average of 1.2 goals when playing at home and Bayer Leverkusen scores an average of 2.07 goals when playing away (on average).
