3. Liga Matchday 29 Preview
There are just nine games remaining in the 3. Liga and everything is still up for grabs.
The 3. Liga is reaching boiling point with the race for a promotion spot closer than ever. Currently, just five points separate 3rd from 8th in the table. Likewise, the bottom is just as close. As it stands, six teams are battling to steer clear of the drop. This weekend there are many exciting games to look forward to as table-rivals face one another. Here is your preview to matchday 29 in the 3. Liga.
1860 München vs SC Verl (Friday)
This weekend’s action begins with promotion outsiders, 1860, hosting relegation contenders, Verl. Sechzig ended Kaiserslautern's 13 game unbeaten run in the week and are now trying to seek into the top three. Currently in 7th position, the Bavarian side are just 5 points away from third spot. It’s crazy to think that Sechzig are so close to the top considering their horrible start to this season. Having beaten a promotion rival in the week, 1860 will fancy their chances against a Verl side who are desperate for a win. I wouldn't underestimate Verl, however. When teams are desperate they can pull the rabbit out of the hat so to speak. However, Sechzig should have enough to see this one out.
(Prediction: 1860 München 3:1 Verl)
MSV Duisburg vs Viktoria Köln (Saturday)
This is yet another crucial game down the bottom of the 3. Liga. Duisburg are sat in 15th on 29 points while the visitors are in 13th with 34 points. A win for Die Zebras here and V.Köln are back into a relegation battle. However, three points for Köln here and they should just have enough to steer clear of any last-minute drama. This is a real tough one to call, V.Köln know how to see out a game and Duisburg have improved in recent weeks. I think both sides would most likely take a point before a ball was kicked and that’s how this one might just play out.
(Prediction: Duisburg 1:1 Viktoria Köln)
VfL Osnabrück vs Kaiserslautern
Osnabrück have got a few important games coming up against teams around them in the table and it doesn’t get much bigger than Kaiserslautern. Osnabrück are currently in 6th position with a game in hand on a few teams above them. If they dam Kaiserslautern to their second defeat of the week, Lila-Weiß could climb as high as 3rd (if a number of games go their way). It would also mean they would be two points behind Kaiserslautern. This could be a tricky time to play the red devils, however. They will need to bounce back as soon as possible and a big three points away from home is just the ticket. This could be the game of the weekend.
(Prediction: Osnabrück 1:1 Kaiserslautern)
Wehen Wiesbaden vs Würzburger Kickers
Wiesbaden have reignited their season in the past few weeks. Currently on a three-game winning streak, Wiesbaden might just have an outsider's chance of making the top three. They are in a similar situation to 1860 München and must simply keep winning and hope other results go their way. For Würzburger, this makes for bad reading. The Kickers are in desperate need of a win. Sitting in 18th on 21 points, Würzburger are 6 points away from safety. It’s looking increasingly unlikely that the Kickers will be playing third division football next year. However, there is still a handful of games to go and they have nothing to lose. Having said that, it’s going to be a struggle for them this weekend.
(Prediction: Wiesbaden 2:1 Würzburger Kickers)
FC Magdeburg vs Hallescher FC
Magdeburg are well on their way to the 2. Bundesliga and a 3. Liga title. Currently 14 points clear, FCM could be crowned champions by early April. This weekend, it's an Ost Derby as they welcome a Halle team that look like they’ve steered clear of a relegation fight. After a slight dip a few months back, Halle can now pretty much relax (almost anyway). I’m sure if you offered them a draw before this fixture, they would definitely take it. However, I just can’t see the Magdeburg train stopping anytime soon.
(Prediction: Magdeburg 2:0 Hallescher)
Borussia Dortmund II vs Türckgücü München
Currently in 9th position, BVB II are having a great first season at Germany’s third-highest level. Of course, they can not go any further in terms of leagues but you feel that they’ll have a say on how the remainder of the season plays out. This weekend they host Türckgücü who are on 15 points after suffering an 11 point deduction. It’s going to take something special for the club to survive at this level. Even if they do, they might not even be able to afford or be granted a license to compete in the 3. Liga. It’s tough times at Türckgücü and I can’t see it getting any better this weekend.
(Prediction: BVB II 2:0 Türckgücü)
Frieburg II vs Zwickau
This is a bottom half of the table clash although I can’t see any of these sides fighting for relegation this campaign. Freiburg II sit comfortably in 11th and could end up in the top half of the division with a win here. Zwickau are placed 14th but have two games in hand on many around them. Granted, they must win these games and nothing is guaranteed in this league. However, I just can't see them slipping into the bottom four. This should be an interesting game and might just end all square.
(Prediction: Freiburg II 1:1 Zwickau)
FC Saarbrücken vs Meppen (Sunday)
Saarbrücken are in with a shout for a top-three place. Currently in 4th on 46 points, they could bridge the gap this weekend if they win and games go in their favour. Having scored 47 goals this season, Saarbrücken are one of the league’s top-scoring teams. They face a Meppen side that have well and truly gone off the boil. At the start of 2022, Meppen were in 3rd and now sit 10th. To think that they could finish in the bottom half of the table is a real shame and disappointment. For large parts of the season, Meppen were the league’s surprise package. However, their early momentum has ended. Saarbrücken have more to play for here and I think they’ll get what they need.
(Prediction: Saarbrücken 3:1 Meppen)
Waldhof Mannheim vs Eintracht Braunschweig
This could be one of the games of the weekend as 5th hosts 3rd. A win for Mannheim here and they would go above Braunschweifg by one point. Considering that Braunschweig have a game in hand on most teams around them, this is a must-win for Mannheim if they want to stand a chance of promotion. However, a win for Braunschweig would only solidify their 3rd place position, especially with the game to spare. I’m expecting a high-quality game here which might be settled by a moment of brilliance.
(Prediction: Waldhof Mannheim 2:2 Braunschweig)
Havelse vs Viktoria Berlin (Monday)
Matchday 29 ends with a huge game down the bottom. Havelse are six points away from safety with Berlin just outside the drop. This could be the win that gives Havelse the most hope. If they could secure three points whilst damming another relegation candidate, it could turn the tide on their season. Viktoria Berlin appear to be in freefall at the moment. They do have a game in hand on a few teams around them, however, they don’t look like they can win a game of football at the moment. In the past four league games, Berlin have conceded 14 and scored just one in return. To help combat this, Berlin has appointed Farat Toku as their new head coach who clearly has a tough job on his hands.
(Prediction: Havelse 1:2 Viktoria Berlin)
There are many great games to look forward to this weekend which could have massive implications on the league standings. After this matchday, there will be just eight games to go. With everything still up in the air, it’s going to be a thrilling end to the 3. Liga.