2. Bundesliga Sunday Konferenz preview | OneFootball

SV Elversberg vs. SV Darmstadt

Elversberg begin the weekend in third place, just three points off the summit after an excellent start to the season. Their momentum has dipped a little in recent weeks, though, with only one win from their last four league outings.

That lone victory came last time out in a much-needed, morale-boosting 3-2 win away at Karlsruher SC. Despite being pegged back twice, Vincent Wagner’s side showed the resilience that has kept them in the promotion mix all season, finally snatching all three points in dramatic fashion through Felix Keidel’s 94th-minute strike.

Darmstadt have enjoyed an equally strong opening to the season, losing only two of their first 13 games. Four draws in that period mean they sit fourth, one place behind their hosts but very much within striking distance of the automatic promotion spots.

Die Lilien backed up their win in Hannover with another assured performance last weekend, seeing off a spirited Fürth side 4-2, with Fraser Hornby starring by scoring twice.

Elversberg won both league meetings last season with a combined score of 7-0. Darmstadt will be eager to put that right, although it’s worth noting they haven’t won away in Elversberg since 2013.

Team news: 

SV Elversberg: Luca Pfeiffer and Luis Seifert remain long-term absentees. Manuel Feil is expected to return to the squad after missing last week through injury.

SV Darmstadt: Florian Kohfeldt reports an almost fully fit squad, with Matej Maglica expected to feature this weekend.

Predicted lineups: 

SV Elversberg (4-2-3-1): Kristof (GK) - Gyamerah, Pinckert, Rohr, Keidel - Condé, Poreba - Zimmerschied, Conté, Petkov - Ebnoutalib 

SV Darmstadt (4-2-3-1): Schuhen (GK) - Lopez, Pfeiffer, Vukotić, Holland - Akiyama, Klefisch - Marseiler, Hornby, Corredor - Lidberg 

Dynamo Dresden vs. Fortuna Düsseldorf

Dresden’s season began in miserable fashion, winning just two of their opening 13 matches. They sit 16th and have spent almost the entire campaign in the bottom three, though there are signs of improvement under Thomas Stamm after last week’s vital win.

Their momentum-building 2-1 victory in Bochum came at a crucial moment. Dresden survived a heavy second-half push from their hosts - including a missed Francis Onyeka penalty - to ensure Vincent Vermeij’s goal on the stroke of half-time proved decisive.

Düsseldorf are faring slightly better but have frustrations of their own. After Daniel Thioune’s dismissal, results were expected to stabilise under Markus Anfang, but the experienced coach has made a slow start with just one win from his opening five matches, leaving Fortuna 13th.

That victory came last weekend at home to bottom-placed Magdeburg, a match they simply could not afford to lose. Cedric Itten delivered the goods, scoring twice, including a dramatic 95th-minute clincher.

Dresden won the most recent meeting between the sides - a Pokal tie in 2024 - but the teams haven’t faced off in the league since 2022. Düsseldorf haven’t won at the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion since 2018. It’s also worth noting that Thomas Stamm has yet to beat Markus Anfang in four attempts.

Team news: 

Dynamo Dresden: Sascha Risch, Jakob Zickler and Tony Menzel remain sidelined. Jan-Hendrik Marx picked up an ankle injury during the week and will also miss Sunday’s game.

Fortuna Düsseldorf: Matthias Zimmermann, Tim Rossmann, Sotiris Alexandropoulos, Florian Schock, Julian Hettwer and Valgeir Lunddal remain out. Anouar El Azzouzi is suspended.

Predicted lineups: 

Dynamo Dresden (4-2-3-1): Grill (GK) - Faber, Boeder, Pauli, Rossipal - Amoako, Müller - Lemmer, Hauptmann, Herrmann - Vermeij 

Fortuna Düsseldorf (4-2-3-1): Kastenmeier (GK) - Heyer, Oberdorf, Daland, Schmidt - Breithaupt, Suso - Rasmussen, Muslija, Iyoha - Itten 

Arminia Bielefeld vs. Preußen Münster

Arminia sit 10th on 17 points. Although results have tailed off since their strong start, a mid-table finish on their return to the 2. Bundesliga would have been widely accepted before the season. For now, they look comfortably clear of the early relegation battle.

They were well below their expected standards in Nürnberg last weekend, falling to a 2-0 defeat. Mitch Kniat’s side were wasteful in possession and managed only one shot on target - something they will need to improve in what appears a winnable home fixture this Sunday.

Münster find themselves in a similar position, just two points and two places behind Arminia. They’ve impressed with several strong performances and often dominate games, but their main frustration remains turning that control into goals and consistent results.

Last weekend they earned a gritty 0-0 home draw against high-flying Schalke despite playing with ten men from the 55th minute. The Prussians defended superbly and restricted Schalke to very little, a blueprint they may lean on again here.

Mitch Kniat and Alexander Ende have met five times, with the record perfectly balanced - two wins apiece and one draw. Münster haven’t won an away league match since August and haven’t tasted victory in Bielefeld since 1994.

Team news: 

Arminia Bielefeld: Roberts Uldrikis and Jeredy Hilterman remain out. Marvin Mehlem and Stefano Russo are expected to return.

Preußen Münster: Antonio Tikvic, Simon Scherder, Malik Batmaz and Marvin Schulz are still sidelined. Goalkeeper Johannes Schenk begins his suspension. Etienne Amenyido has returned to training and could be involved.

Predicted lineups: 

Arminia Bielefeld (3-4-3): Kersken (GK) - Schneider, Großer, Felix - Lannert, Corboz, Wörl, Handwerker - Momuluh, Grodowski, Sarenren Bazee 

Preußen Münster (4-4-2 Diamond): Behrens (GK) - ter Horst, Jaeckel, Heuer, Kirkeskov - Benger, Hendrix, Bouchama, Sertdemir - Vilhelmsson, Batista Meier