2. Bundesliga preview: SC Preußen Münster vs. 1. FC Magdeburg

Sunday’s clash in Münster is a genuine relegation six-pointer, offering a crucial opportunity for both sides in their battle for survival. With 16th hosting 18th, this is a fixture neither team can afford to lose, as the pressure continues to mount at the foot of the table.

SC Preußen Münster 

A run of just one win from nine league matches in 2026, combined with a heavy defeat last time out, proved enough for the club hierarchy to act, relieving Alexander Ende of his duties. U23 coach Kieran Schulze-Marmeling has since stepped in on an interim basis, with Münster currently sitting 16th and only one point clear of the automatic relegation places.

Their most recent outing ended in a damaging 6-0 defeat away to Dynamo Dresden, a result that ultimately sealed Ende’s fate. Conceding three goals in each half, Münster slumped to their third defeat in five matches and their heaviest loss of the season.

Schulze-Marmeling has urged his side to move on quickly:

“Our task now is to look ahead, not back. That’s why we used the limited time available to us to determine what we need for the home game against Magdeburg, and not to dwell on what happened in Dresden.”

If they are to spark a successful survival bid, Münster must begin by improving their home form. The Preußenstadion has offered little comfort of late, with the side winless in their last seven matches there.

Team news: Malik Batmaz, Luca Bolay. Simon Scherder and Antonio Tikvic remain sidelined. 

1. FC Magdeburg 

What initially looked like a resurgence under Petrik Sander has since stalled, leaving Magdeburg rooted to the bottom of the table. They are winless in their last five matches, suffering four defeats in that run.

However, they did manage to stop the losing streak last time out with a hard-fought draw at home against promotion-chasing Darmstadt. An own goal from Fabian Nürnberger had Magdeburg in front, before the same player made amends by equalising. While not a victory, the result could provide a timely boost in confidence ahead of a potentially season-defining encounter.

Sander does not expect drastic changes from their opponents despite the recent coaching switch:

“Münster won't change certain aspects of their game within a week. They are still a team that wants to maintain possession. The league standings speak for themselves. The team that takes the lead will have a significant advantage,”

Despite back-to-back away defeats, Magdeburg’s form on the road prior to that had been encouraging, with four consecutive wins. Rediscovering that level could prove decisive on Sunday.

Team news: Samuel Loric, Luka Hyryläinen, and Tarek Chahed will remain sidelined due to injury. Daniel Heber and Herbert Bockhorn are also unavailable. Additionally, Dariusz Stalmach is suspended due to his fifth yellow card.

H-2-H record 

Magdeburg claimed a 2-0 victory in the reverse fixture back in October, with goals from Maximilian Breunig and Rayan Ghrieb. The last five meetings between the sides are evenly balanced, with two wins each.

Predicted lineups 

SC Preußen Münster (4-4-2 Diamond): Schenk (GK) - ter Horst, Jaeckel, Heuer, Kirkeskov - Preißinger, Bouchama, Hendrix, Batista Meier - Mees, Amenyido 

1. FC Magdeburg (4-3-3): Reimann (GK) - Hercher, Mathisen, Müller, Nollenberger - Michel, Ulrich, Gnaka - Ghrieb, Żukowski, Atik