St. Pauli draw everywhere they go, and Darmstadt cannot keep a clean sheet
St. Pauli have played four league games away from the Millerntor this season and drawn all four: 2-2 in Kiel and Bielefeld, 1-1 in Cottbus and Hannover. Darmstadt, meanwhile, have not kept a single clean sheet in eight league games and were taken apart 4-0 by bottom side Karlsruhe on Sunday. Florian Kohfeldt’s side are 17th, but at the Böllenfalltor they have scored seven goals in four games, so this is a fixture where I expect both defences to be breached.
„Unser Problem ist nicht die Tabelle, unser Problem sind diese Leistungs-Schwankungen.“ – Darmstadt coach Florian Kohfeldt (“Our problem is not the table, our problem is these swings in performance.”)
Predicted lineups: Darmstadt vs St. Pauli
Darmstadt are without Luca Marseiler, who is still rehabilitating a cruciate ligament injury, and Fabian Nürnberger and Merveille Papela are short of training. The kicker expects Noah Weißhaupt to return to the starting line-up after illness. Marcel Rapp said his St. Pauli squad is unchanged from last week, with no new absentees; Pereira Lage remains out, and Branimir Hrgota is ready if needed. Marcus Mathisen is back in training, but it is not clear whether he will make the squad.
Darmstadt Team News & Preview
Kohfeldt himself called the Karlsruhe game a clear dip, and captain Marcel Schuhen described the basics as a complete disaster. Karlsruhe were two goals up within 13 minutes and scored twice more after the break, with Marvin Wanitzek involved in three of the four goals. It was the second time under Kohfeldt that Darmstadt had lost 4-0.
At home, though, Darmstadt look a different side. They beat Bielefeld 2-1 and Cottbus 3-1 at the Böllenfalltor and drew 2-2 with Kiel, with only a 1-0 defeat to Hannover blotting the record. The problem is that they concede in every game: 18 goals in eight matches is the worst defensive record in the division. President Pfitzner gave Kohfeldt his full backing at Tuesday’s members‘ meeting, but the pressure has clearly grown.
What works for or against Darmstadt
- Scored seven goals in four home league games.
- Conceded in all eight league games, 18 goals in total.
- Lost 4-0 at Karlsruhe on Sunday.
- Have won ten of 15 meetings with St. Pauli since 2000.
St. Pauli Team News & Preview
St. Pauli are unbeaten in five league games, but they have drawn three of them, and five of their eight league games overall have ended level. The 1-1 at Hannover followed the pattern: Abdoulie Ceesay headed them in front just before half-time from Louis Oppie’s cross, and Hannover equalised three minutes after the restart.
Rapp wants his side to match Darmstadt physically and said the Lilies stand out for their physicality. St. Pauli are strong in the air and have conceded only nine goals, but they have also scored in every away game. Ceesay has four league goals, and Arkadiusz Pyrka has been their best player down the right.
What works for or against St. Pauli
- Unbeaten in five league games.
- Scored in all four away games this season.
- No away win yet, with four draws from four.
- Rapp has never beaten Darmstadt as a coach.
Darmstadt vs St. Pauli Odds
Match Result
Double Chance
Handicap
Over/Under
Both Teams to Score
Half-Time/Full-Time
Darmstadt vs. St. Pauli Stats Comparison
Show Recent Results
Darmstadt vs. St. Pauli Form Guide
Darmstadt Form, Stats & Data
Darmstadt have conceded far more than their 1.66 xG against per game, which says something about errors at the back. At the other end, a goal per game from 1.05 xG is roughly what their chances deserve.
St. Pauli Form, Stats & Data
St. Pauli’s numbers are balanced rather than dominant: 1.35 xG for and 1.26 against per game. That is exactly the profile of a side that keeps drawing, and it also explains why they concede in so many games.
Darmstadt vs St. Pauli: Prediction & Betting Tip
I am not keen to pick a winner here, but I do expect goals at both ends. Darmstadt concede in every game and have shipped four or more twice. St. Pauli have scored in all four away matches, and every one of those games has seen both teams on the scoresheet. Darmstadt’s own home form, seven goals in four games, gives them a realistic chance of scoring too.
The argument against is St. Pauli’s defence. They have conceded only nine goals, they are good in the air, and Darmstadt average barely one expected goal per game. But St. Pauli have conceded in each of their away games, and I think Darmstadt are strong enough at home to manage one.
My main bet is Both Teams to Score – Yes at 1.50 with Winz, with 1-1 my predicted score.