3. Liga: Matchday 18 Preview
Germany's third division is back for another weekend of quality football.
There are just three more matches until the 3. Liga takes a well-earned winter break. As we reach the midway point, the league now appears to be taking shape at both ends of the table. There are still many teams in and around the top who will fancy a promotion push and many down the bottom scrapping for points. As we enter December it’s time to adorn your favourite scarf, grab a glühwein, and get ready for another exciting matchday in the 3. Liga!
FSV Zwickau vs FC Saarbrücken (Friday)
The weekend’s action begins with teams at different ends of the table. Zwickau, or the draw kings as they’re now, are just four points outside the relegation places. In fact, the Swans latest draw came in the week during a catch-up game with Türkgücü. Zwickau may take another draw against a Saarbrücken side who are just three points off 3rd. Last weekend, Saarbrücken left it late to see off Viktoria Berlin but got there in the end. I suspect something similar to happen here.
(Prediction - Zwickau 1:2 Saarbrücken)
Viktoria Berlin vs Türkgücü München (Saturday)
This is a game with two teams who have somewhat been in freefall recently. After a brilliant start, Berlin have gradually come to a halt and now sit in 12th and perhaps are beginning to look behind their shoulder. Türkgücü, likewise, can’t manage a win and sit two points above the relegation zone. A win for either side here will be a huge boost in their seasons. I’m going to sit on the fence when it comes to this interesting tie.
(Prediction - Viktoria Berlin 1:1 Türkgücü München)
1860 München vs Magdeburg
As a neutral, I’m looking forward to this one. 1860 have been on the up since beating Schalke in the Pokal. 7 points off the top 3, they might just fancy themselves to sneak in through the backdoor. If they’re to do so, it’s games like this that we’ll see what they’re made of. It feels like Magdeburg have been 1st for some time now and that’s because they have! Magdeburg are four points clear with a game in hand against everyone in the top half. This will be a stern test in Bavaria, but I can see Magdeburg’s skill getting them through this one.
(Prediction - 1860 München 1:3 Magdeburg)
FC Kaiserslautern vs Viktoria Köln
Sitting in 7th, FCK are one of those teams looking to get into the top three. Just four points shy and with the best defence in the league, they appear to have a strong case. FCK welcome a rather solid V.Köln who recently went on a fantastic unbeaten run including games against Dortmund II and Magdeburg. If there is one thing V.Köln know what to do, it’s frustrate their opponents. Both teams will have their work cut out here, but I was fancy FCK at home.
(Prediction – Kaiserslautern 2:0 Viktoria Köln)
Hallescher vs Würzburger Kickers
This is another six pointer down the bottom end of the table. Hallescher are a team that often floats around the middle of the league but in recent weeks have slipped down a peg or two. Now just four points outside the relegation places, they need to start winning games again. There can’t be a better time to do it than against their opponents this weekend. Würzburger are still in 19th place on 15 points. They too will need to begin winning matches before becoming too far adrift from safety. This could be a real dog fight down the bottom but I do think there is going to be a winner.
(Prediction – Hallescher 1:0 Würzburger Kickers)
Verl vs Borussia Dortmund II
Verl have recently slipped into the bottom four and are in dire need of three points. Having conceded 33 goals this season, Verl have one of the worst backlines going. They welcome a Dortmund II team who sit in 8th on 24 points. Dortmund II are on a bit of a tight rope at the minute. Another couple of loses and they could see themselves looking towards the bottom four. However, win this weekend and they could be looking at a top 6 place. This sums up just how tight that middle section of the 3. Liga is. I can only see one outcome here purely down to the home side’s defensive record.
(Prediction Verl 1:4 Borussia Dortmund II)
Braunschweig vs Meppen
Saturday’s action concludes with 4th vs 3rd respectively. Meppen have been the surprise package so far this season and another win here will prove to the rest of the league that they belong around the top. Their hosts, Braunschweig, won in the week and another victory here could see reach 2nd. It’s going to be a big ask for Meppen in the daunting Eintracht Stadion. Not many come away from Braunschweig with all three points and I just can’t see Meppen doing it here.
(Prediction Braunschweig 2:0 Meppen)
Freiburg II vs MSV Duisburg (Sunday)
Freiburg II have been quietly going about there business this season. As it stands, they’re in 11th and keeping away from the bottom four. They have a healthy 6 point gap between them and 17th place. However, if the away side were to win here, the gap would close. Duisburg are in 18th on 16 points. They simply need to win before the task of climbing out the relegation zone becomes impossible. You feel this could be a close affair with possibly Freiburg II seeing more of the ball. Watch out for former Duisburg striker, Vincent Vermeij, who’s been scoring recently for Freiburg II.
(Prediction – Freiburg II 2:1 MSV Duisburg)
VfL Osnabrück vs Havelse
It’s 5th vs rock bottom Havelse. Osnabrück are just two points outside the top three and look poised to capitalised on any slipups the team’s above them make. Having only conceded 17 goals this campaign, Osnabrück will be tough to break down. Especially when Havelse have only scored 14 goal themselves. It’s a easy decision for me in this one.
(Prediction Osnabrück 3:0 Havelse)
Waldhof Mannheim vs Wehen Wiesbaden (Monday)
Matchday 17 finishes as 2nd welcomes 10th. Playing last, Waldhof will know what they must do to get back into the automatic places (should the teams around them win). Wiesbaden are right in the middle of the table with no real chances of going up or down. It’ll be interesting to see how their campaign unfolds. If they’re to do anything this year, it’s games like this that they have to win. However, Waldhof may have too much for the visitors here.
(Prediction - Waldhof 2:1 Wiesbaden)
This ends our matchday 18 preview in the 3. Liga. There are some interesting ties this weekend and it should make for some great viewing! Those wanting to tune in can try Magenta Sport, the DFB Football Youtube Channel, or on local television livestreams. Here’s to another weekend of action in Germany’s third division!