Darmstadt
- Darmstadt have won two, drawn one and lost one of their four home league games so far, making them a tricky opponent in front of their own fans.
- The Lilien have won only two and lost three of their last five matches across all competitions, but the 3-1 home win over Energie Cottbus last weekend demonstrated they can be more than just a possession team.
- Florian Kohfeldt took over Darmstadt in September 2024 and has done a good job of making the Lilien a well-structured back-four side that are patient in their build-up.
St. Pauli
- St. Pauli are still searching for their first away win, however, from three trips away in the 2. Bundesliga 2026/2027 and that's why we have gone with a narrow road edge rather than a home shutout.
- Marcel Rapp took over in July 2026 and his side appear to be adjusting to his patterns nicely, although the three-at-the-back system that they have favoured in recent weeks can leave them open at the flanks and will make this a chess match between two contrasting styles.
Head-to-Head
The Kiezkicker will know all about Darmstadt after recording a 3-0 away win when the clubs last met in the 2. Bundesliga 2022/2023 and have been in better form lately with two wins and three draws in their last five games across all competitions.
Key Players
- The 26-year-old South Korean Ho-Jae Lee is their top scorer in the 2. Bundesliga 2026/2027 with two goals in six appearances and can be an outlet as the only player in the penalty box.
- Abdoulie Ceesay, who has scored two goals in the 2. Bundesliga 2026/2027 from four starts, is St. Pauli's top scorer in the league this season and can outscore Milan Smit, who has also found the net twice in Darmstadt's last five appearances, to seal a narrow away victory.
Betting Insights
Backing both teams to score at 1.45 and over 2.5 goals at 1.55 may be the better bet here as these two clubs are so similar in style, but the odds make St. Pauli the better value at 2.15 ahead of Darmstadt at 2.9 and the draw at 3.8 .
Prediction
- The Kiezkicker have only scored 1.67 and conceded the same number of goals per away game in the 2. Bundesliga 2026/2027 so should have enough in the tank to register at least two on Friday night.
- Given the away resilience, the recent form and the attacking threats on both sides, a narrow St. Pauli edge with both teams to score looks the most plausible outcome.
