SV Darmstadt 98 - Erzgebirge Aue

Darmstadt to secure survival on home soil

TEAM NEWS

Dirk Schuster’s Darmstadt have a full-strength side for this weekend clash, with Peter Niemeyer and Baris Atik the only two absentees.

Aue have no new injury worries, with Nicky Adler the only one player not at their disposal due to injury. However, Dennis Kempe and Fabian Kalig are suspended.

Darmstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Peter Niemeyer (foot), Baris Atik (unspecified)

Aue

Suspended: Fabian Kalig, Dennis Kempe

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nicky Adler (pulled muscle)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Darmstadt have given themselves a huge relegation lifeline after securing a vital 3-0 win over Regensburg at Continental Arena last weekend. The Lilies are 14^thin the table and level on points with Aue in 15^th, but with a better goal difference. A draw might be enough to keep them in the 2. Bundesliga and their recent run of four wins and six draws will give them plenty of confidence.

Aue head to Darmstadt on the back of an uneventful 0-0 draw at home soil to fellow relegation candidates Dresden. Following that result, Aue now need a win at Bollenfalltor to ensure survival. However, Aue have won just once away from home since mid-September, with that sole away win coming at high-flying Regensburg in April.

Over the course of the season, Darmstadt and Aue have been pretty evenly matched. Both currently have 40 points and only the winning side will be safe from the drop. I will go with in-form Darmstadt on Sunday. 

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – LOW

None of the three meetings between these teams have seen more than two goals. I fancy this clash to end in another low-scoring game.

HEAD TO HEAD

When these two squared off in December, Aue ran out 1-0 winners over Darmstadt. However, they lost the previous two encounters in 2014-15.