2. Bundesliga preview: SV Darmstadt 98 vs. Arminia Bielefeld

In a meeting between two sides looking for a much-needed result, Friday’s clash presents Darmstadt with an opportunity to finally kick-start their season, while Arminia Bielefeld will be looking to build on last weekend’s draw with St. Pauli by claiming their first away points of the season. 

Darmstadt have endured a miserable opening to the new season and currently sit bottom of the 2. Bundesliga table with just one point from their opening four matches. Florian Kohfeldt’s side have scored just twice so far, with their lack of attacking output becoming an increasing concern.

Die Lilien opened the campaign with a 2-2 draw against Holstein Kiel, but have since lost three consecutive league games without scoring. Defeats to Dynamo Dresden and Hannover were followed by a 3-0 loss away to Kaiserslautern last weekend.

Darmstadt were given an opportunity to take the lead from the penalty spot in the first half at the Fritz-Walter-Stadion, but Lance Duijvestijn struck the crossbar from 12 yards. Mario Sauer then put the hosts ahead shortly before half time, before Thierry Tazemeta doubled Kaiserslautern’s advantage after the break. A late Mërgim Berisha goal completed a frustrating afternoon for Kohfeldt’s side.

The result means Darmstadt have now gone 13 league matches without a victory, stretching back to their win over Holstein Kiel in March. Kohfeldt is consequently under increasing pressure, with his side needing a response in front of their home supporters on Friday.

Darmstadt have also undergone significant changes to their squad during the summer, with several key attacking players from last season departing. Isac Lidberg, Fraser Hornby, and Killian Corredor were among the club’s leading scorers last campaign, but all three have now left the club.

Milan Smit, Lars Kehl and Duijvestijn are among those now being asked to provide the attacking threat, although the Lilien have so far struggled to replace the goals lost during the summer.

There was some positive news for Darmstadt on Thursday, however, as the club announced the return of Marco Richter. The 28-year-old has rejoined the club after terminating his contract with Mainz 05 this month. Richter spent last season on loan at the Böllenfalltor, making 32 appearances, and his return provides Kohfeldt with another attacking option.

Bielefeld, meanwhile, head into Friday’s fixture in considerably better shape, although their own start has been inconsistent. Oliver Kirch’s side have collected four points from their opening four matches and currently sit in the top half of the table.

Arminia began the campaign with a 2-1 defeat away to Karlsruher SC before responding with a convincing 3-0 home victory over Energie Cottbus. A heavy 4-1 loss at Nürnberg followed, leaving Bielefeld with just three points from their first three matches.

They showed greater resilience last weekend, however, twice coming from behind to draw 2-2 with St. Pauli at the SchücoArena. Jannik Rochelt gave Bielefeld an early lead before Taichi Hara levelled the scores. Joel Grodowski restored the hosts’ advantage shortly after half time, but Abdoulie Ceesay equalised for St. Pauli in the 65th minute.

Despite being frustrated at surrendering their lead twice, Kirch was able to take positives from the performance. Bielefeld have already shown they possess plenty of attacking threat, with Rochelt and Grodowski both finding the net against St. Pauli.

The visitors will also be looking to improve their away form. Their two league trips so far have ended in defeats, with Bielefeld losing 2-1 at Karlsruhe before being beaten 4-1 at Nürnberg.

Friday’s fixture also contains an interesting subplot involving Marvin Mehlem. The Bielefeld midfielder spent seven years at Darmstadt between 2017 and 2024, making 191 competitive appearances for the Lilien. The match also falls on Mehlem’s 29th birthday.

There is another reunion involving Christopher Lannert, who joined Darmstadt from Bielefeld during the summer. The right-back will face his former club for the first time since making the move to the Böllenfalltor.

The two sides are familiar opponents, having met twice during the 2025/26 campaign. Their first meeting at the Böllenfalltor ended in a 2-2 draw in November, while Bielefeld claimed a 2-1 victory when the teams met again at the SchücoArena in April. Arminia haven’t won away to Darmstadt since 2019 however. 

With Darmstadt desperate to end their winless run and Bielefeld looking for their first away victory of the season, Friday’s encounter could prove to be an important early-season meeting. 

Team news

Darmstadt: Aleksandar Vukotic is suspended after being sent off against Hannover 96 and will miss Friday’s game. Fabian Nürnberger, Fynn Lakenmacher, Luca Marseiler and Merveille Papela also remain unavailable. Marco Richter has returned to the club but is unlikely to immediately come into the starting XI following his recent arrival.

Arminia Bielefeld: Oliver Kirch has confirmed that almost his entire squad is available. Daniel Richter is the only player ruled out, leaving the Arminia with a near fully fit squad to choose from.

Predicted lineups

Darmstadt (4-2-3-1): Schuhen; Lannert, Pfeiffer, Lührs, Petretta; Klefisch, Akiyama; Kehl, Duijvestijn, Weißhaupt; Smit.

Arminia Bielefeld (4-3-3): Kersken; Koudossou, Bauer, Großer, Handwerker; Russo, Wörl, Mehlem; Momuluh, Rochelt; Grodowski.