Both Darmstadt and Wolfsburg have made similar starts to the season and, with just one point separating them, the pair hover dangerously close to relegation zone.
Since making reasonable starts by their own respective standards, neither have been in great form recently and both are without a win since match-day two; however, in terms of the general expectations around these two clubs, it is Wolfsburg who’ve performed worse. The Lower Saxony club have registered three draws (all three ended 0-0) and three losses in their last six games and there’s a real sense that if you can get the first goal against this side then the three points are almost secured. With this in mind, in front of their own fans – where they are yet to lose – Darmstadt are fancied to get a decent result against this toothless looking Wolfsburg side.
Considering the form of both of these, coupled with the fact that Wolfsburg are playing away, it’s hard to see why the visitors have been made such overwhelming favourites for this clash. Backing the hosts to win at 7/2, wouldn’t be the worst bet in the world, but, at odds of 9/4 ‘Darmstadt Draw No Bet’ looks the one to be on.
As previously mentioned, the home side are unbeaten in their three games at home this season, winning one and drawing two. They’ve scored four and have conceded three in the process and while these aren’t the sort of stats that will make everyone sit up and take notice, they’re certainly respectable. At the very least, it’s more than can be said for Wolfsburg’s away form. The visitors secured three points on match-day one when facing Augsburg away from home, but have since gone on to draw 0-0 with Hoffenheim, before losing away to Bremen.
Last time out against Leipzig at home, Saturday’s visitors, with just two shots on target, looked seriously lacking in ideas going forward and their lack of viable goal options is becoming more and more evident as the weeks pass. The summer addition of veteran German striker Mario Gomez seemed a slightly strange one and pinning their hopes on the 31 year-old probably isn’t going to yield the greatest results, while they also failed to replace the outgoing André Schürrle, an attacking player who provided both goals and creativity.
It really is hard to see where the goals are going to come from for Wolfsburg and, with just two scored in their last six games, they’re struggling somewhat.
Darmstadt aren’t exactly the biggest scorers themselves (just five scored this season), but they’ll know that they’ve got a real chance of picking up a positive result here if they can keep things tight and remain disciplined at the back. Although not massive scorers themselves, four of their five goals have come in front of their own fans, scoring in each of their home matches so far this season.
All in all, Darmstadt have made a pleasing start at home this season and, against a Wolfsburg side who certainly don’t warrant odds-on favouritism, they’re fancied to continue in the same vein.
See all of Saturday’s tips here.