3. Liga Matchday 13 Preview
Another weekend of action is upon us in Germany's third tier.
We're set for an interesting round of games as the 3. Liga reaches spieltag 13. With five points separating 2nd and 13th, everything is still to play for. There's no reason why a team who are currently sat near the drop could go on a run and challenge at the top end of the league. Here is your preview to all the games in the 3. Liga this weekend.
VfL Osnabrück vs Hallescher (Friday)
The first game of the weekend comes under the lights at the Stadion an der Bremer Brück. Osnabrück come off the back of a great win away to Viktoria Berlin last weekend. A win in front of their home fans could send them up to second before the rest of the matches kick off the day after. The Lila-Weiß will have to muster up the same spirit as they did in the capital if they’re to continue this good form. Hallescher on the other hand, lost their previous game at home to Saarbrücken. Currently in 11th place, a win could see them go level on points with their hosts. There’s plenty of incentive for Halle in this one and it should be a closely thought contest.
FC Magdeburg vs Viktoria Berlin
A few weeks back this would have been a top of the table clash. However, Berlin’s great start as hit a bump in the road. This may be the Berliners biggest test of the campaign so far but what better way to reignite your season they a win at table-toppers, Magdeburg? Speaking of which, FCM are going strong at the moment and are five points clear of second place. In a league which is so closely contested, if you can go on a run of wins you have a great chance of promotion. That’s exactly what Magdeburg have done front the start and will fancy themselves once more in front of their home fans. Viktoria will have to set up more defensively than in their previous games but this may just be a task too hard for the surprise newcomers in the 3. Liga.
SV Wehen Wiesbaden vs SV Meppen
Just three points separate Wiesbaden in 9th and Meppen in 14th. An away win could drag Meppen closer to the top whilst sending their host the opposite way. Last weekend, Wiesbaden had a horrid time at Türkgücü München. Down to 9 nine men in the first half, they thought they had hung on for a point but a strike two minutes from time sealed their fate. Meppen thought valiantly last weekend as they hosted Magdeburg but ultimately ending losing 2:3. Both sides will believe they have enough to edge this one. However, going off Meppen’s poor defence record, Wiesbaden might just have the edge in this one.
Waldhof Mannheim vs FSV Zwickau
Waldhof’s game last weekend was cancelled due to a COVID outbreak. Now fresh and ready to go, Waldhof are in a great position to push for a top two place. A win could send them as far as second depending on other results with a game in hand on the rest of the clubs around them. Zwickau, who currently sit in 13th, are coming off a last minute winner against Duisburg. An away win here could steer them further away from the bottom and leave their fans looking upwards. However, Waldhof are unbeaten in their last five league matches with only conceding twice. It’s going to be a big ask for Zwickau to break down Waldhof on their own patch. A home win might just be the outcome here.
FC Saarbrücken vs 1860 München
After a win at Hallescher last weekend, Saarbrücken are sitting pretty in joint second. Unbeaten in their last four, Die Molschder will be hoping that their recent form will be enough against an 1860 side that has had a poor start. 1860 München have only won twice this season and are sat in 15th (albeit with a game in-hand on the rest of the teams). Having drawn many fixtures, 1860 can’t seem to find that winning touch at the moment. However, the hosts have been involved in many high scoring results this campaign. It wouldn’t be surprising if we were treated to a goal or two in Saarbrücken on Saturday.
SC Freiburg II vs SC Verl
After a 5:3 win last time out, Verl have given themselves a bit more breathing space between them and the relegation zone. Freiburg II, however, currently sit just outside the drop zone by a single point. This could be a major three points for either side who have both been very inconsistent as of yet. Defensively, Freiburg and Verl have leaked quite a few goals in their first 12 games. This match could all come down to which team’s strikers have their shooting boots on.
Würzburger Kickers vs Türkgücü München
Würzburger are struggling for results at the moment. Having just been relegated into the third division, many wouldn’t have put them 19th after 12 games but that’s exactly where they are. A draw to Viktoria Köln last time out didn’t do a lot for their cause. Their opponents are starting to hit a bit of form after a tricky start. It’s hard not to think of anything but an away win here. But there’s no time like the present for Würzburger right now.
Borussia Dortmund II vs Viktoria Köln (Sunday)
The first of two Sunday games see’s the joint second team host 18th place V. Köln. Dortmund II have taken well to Germany’s third division despite losing last week to Braunschweig. Many will put the home side as firm favourites and quite rightly so. However, V.Köln are unbeaten in their last 3 league games. They may not have played teams around the top but this is a free hit for them. Dortmund II will want to get on the ball early and put the pressure on their opponents. If they do so, it’s going to be a tough afternoon for V.Köln.
TSV Havelse vs Eintracht Braunschweig
Sunday’s games end in Hannover as rock bottom Havelse host 4th place Braunschweig. This season was always going to be a slog for Havelse and it proves to already be too much for them. Already six points clear from safety, it’s hard to see a world where they manage to climb out of the bottom four. Their opponents are keen to get another win after beating Dortmund II last time out. Bar a miracle, this is Braunschweig’s to lose.
MSV Duisburg vs FC Kaiserslautern (Monday)
Spieltag 13 concludes on the Rhein as 17th place Duisburg play in-form Kaiserslautern in 7th. Earlier in the week, MSV announced their new head coach, Hagen Schmidt. Previously apart of the Borussia Mönchengladbach academy system, Schmidt is unexperienced at this level. He’ll have to learn on the job if he’s side are to get anything against a solid FCK side. Kaiserslautern swept aside Freiburg II last weekend and look like a team that could challenge at the top of the league. On paper, it might seem like this an away win. However, will the boost of a new manager and a good atmosphere at the MSV-Arena push the Duisburg players on?
There’s many interesting fixtures to look forward to this weekend. The table could look completely different to how it looked on Friday. But isn’t that why we love this ever-changing league? If you’re a fan of a club in the 3. Liga, all the best to your team and enjoy your wochenende.