2. Bundesliga preview: 1. FC Magdeburg vs. Karlsruher SC | OneFootball

1. FC Magdeburg

With light seemingly beginning to appear under Petrik Sander, Magdeburg have once again stumbled at a crucial juncture. Just one win in their last five has dragged them back into the relegation zone, where they sit 17th on 23 points - albeit only a single point from safety in the ever-relentless 2. Bundesliga table.

Their 5-3 defeat away to league leaders Schalke last weekend perfectly encapsulated their season. Offensively, Magdeburg remain dangerous: Mateusz Żukowski struck twice to take his tally to 11 for the campaign, underlining his importance in the final third. Defensively, however, familiar issues resurfaced. The division’s second-worst defensive record once again proved costly, consigning them to a fourth defeat in five matches.

Sander has urged both players and supporters to turn Sunday into a catalyst moment:

“We want to win this home game at all costs. The will to win is the fundamental requirement, and we also need to get the fans in the stadium behind us. But we as a team have to send the first signal so that the spark can ignite,”

Magdeburg will aim to halt a worrying run of three consecutive home defeats while also seeking a first victory over Karlsruhe since 2022.

Team news:  Samuel Loric, Luka Hyryläinen and Tarek Chahed are unavailable. Daniel Heber continues his rehabilitation.

Predicted lineup (4-3-3): Reimann (GK) - Musonda, Hugonet, Müller, Nollenberger - Michel, Mathisen, Ulrich - Pesch, Żukowski, Atik 

Karlsruher SC

Karlsruhe’s campaign appears destined for mid-table anonymity after another season defined by inconsistency under Christian Eichner. They have won just one of their last five and currently occupy ninth place on 30 points - too far adrift of the promotion race yet relatively clear of danger.

That sole recent victory came last time out, a valuable 3-1 home win over struggling Kiel. Louey Ben Farhat’s strike, sandwiched between a Marvin Wanitzek brace, secured three much-needed points and offered a timely morale boost.

Eichner emphasised the psychological lift provided by that result:

“The win did the dressing room and the whole club a world of good. We need to channel the Kiel game.”

KSC edged the reverse fixture 1-0 courtesy of a late Christoph Kobald goal and are unbeaten in their last six meetings with Magdeburg. However, their away form remains patchy, with just one win from their last seven league outings on the road.

Team news: Marcel Beifus remains sidelined. Nicolai Rapp and Lilian Egloff have returned to training but are doubts for Sunday.

Predicted lineup (3-3-2-2): Bernat (GK) - Ambrosius, Kobald, Franke - Jung, H-K Kwon, Herold - Burnić, Wanitzek - Ben Farhat, Šimić