Head-to-Head
Kaiserslautern has won one of the last two 2. Bundesliga head-to-heads (W1, D1) and edged out Karlsruher SC 3-2 in their last head-to-head clash four months ago.
Kaiserslautern
- With 37 points from 25 games, FC Kaiserslautern currently sits 7th in the 2. Bundesliga and will be looking to break into the top six when they welcome 8th-placed Karlsruher SC, who have three points fewer, to the Fritz-Walter-Stadion on Sunday.
- Although there is only one place and three points separating the sides, the form of the home side has been more erratic throughout the last few weeks, winning two and losing three of their last five league games, the latter back-to-back.
Karlsruher SC
- Christian Eichner’s side, meanwhile, have been far more consistent, losing one, drawing two and winning two of their last five.
- Karlsruher SC has struggled defensively on the road, conceding an average of 2.00 goals per away match and winning just 3 of their 13 away games.
Key Players
- Kaiserslautern’s top-scorer Ivan Prtajin has 11 goals in just 14 league appearances this season, but youngster Marlon Ritter has enjoyed a resurgent few weeks, bagging three of the Red Devils’ last seven league goals.
- Marvin Wanitzek has been the main man up front for KSC this season, with his 13 goals in 25 appearances, more than Prtajin in the 2. Bundesliga.
- As a result of Wanitzek’s scoring spree, KSC’s attack has been flourishing lately, scoring 11 goals in their last five 2. Bundesliga games.
- The Red Boys, meanwhile, have scored an average of 1.5 goals at home to KSC historically, although the visitors have hit back with an average of 2.5 at this ground in their last five visits, so we’re expecting goals at both ends.
Prediction
- Christian Eichner has overseen the most consistent period of Karlsruher SC’s 2. Bundesliga season since he took over at the beginning of 2020, and his preferred 3-5-2 provides a wide variety of ways to attack the opposing defense.
- The wingbacks provide width, but Eichner has encouraged his team to exploit the space between the lines, using dynamic transitions from wide to central areas to play quick vertical passes to the strikers.
- His preferred 3-4-1-2 has been built around creating overloads in the centre of the park by using compact triangles in the middle third, before being able to build up the ball in a structured and purposeful manner.
- With both sides keen to attack and each having shown a few defensive frailties in recent weeks, we could see goals at both ends.
- However, with the home advantage and the odds at play, we’re going for a Kaiserslautern win in what should be a wide-open south-west derby.
