2. Bundesliga Preview: SV Elversberg vs. 1. FC Magdeburg | OneFootball

Elverberg will hope to momentarily climb to the top three with a home win against out-of-form Magdeburg on Friday. The overachievers drew with Holstein Kiel in Tim Walter's debut last time out after winning the previous two games. Meanwhile, Magdeburg lost five of their last six games.

Petrik Sander, who got the job on a permanent basis after improving the side's fortunes, is now facing a huge task in reviving Magdeburg's hopes of survival. Although they're only two points off safety, there is no secret that their recent form is the worst out of all the teams fighting for safety.

In contrast, Elversberg are now back in business in their search for a first-ever promotion to Bundesliga. Vincent Wagner's side are yet to keep a clean sheet in 2026, but they now managed to go three games without defeat for the first time since the league resumes.

Magdeburg stunned Elversberg with a comeback 5-2 victory the last time they visited Waldstadion an der Kaiserlinde, but the promotion hopefuls already avenged that scoreline in their first head-to-head meeting this term. Bambase Conte scored and assisted twice in a 4-0 victory for Elversberg on matchday eight.

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However, Conte will not be available on Friday due to an injury. In addition, Elversberg's Amara Condé and Magdeburg's duo Tobias Müller and Falko Michel are all suspended after their respective fifth yellow cards of the season on matchday 24.

Predicted Lineups

Elversberg: Kristof; Gyamerah, Pinckert ©, Rohr, Mickelson; Schmahl, Poreba; Petkov, Pherai, Zimmerschied; Mokwa

Magdeburg: Reimann ©; Musonda, Hugonet, Mathisen, Nollenberger; Ulrich; Hercher, Stalmach; Ghrieb, Atik; Zukowski