Bundesliga News

3. Liga: Matchday 37 Preview

By Jamie Allen

There are just two games left in this year's 3. Liga and there is still a lot to be decided.
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Photo: DFB
Its the penultimate week of 3. Liga action and there is still promotions and relegations to be decided. Some team’s fate could be sealed this weekend. If not, then it will go down to the final game of the season. Here is everything you need to know for this weekend’s 3. Liga action.


Friday

Borussia Dortmund II vs SC Verl

The weekend kick-offs with a massive game for the away side. Verl are just inside the relegation zone but they’re doing everything they can to get out. They’ve burst into life in recent weeks and three points here would see them go ahead of Viktoria Berlin who don’t play until the last game of the season. Whatever happens in this one, Verl’s season is going to the last game where they’ll meet MSV Duisburg who themselves might not be safe! Whatever happens on Friday, it’s going to set up a massive battle on the last day.

(Prediction: BVB II 1:1 Verl)

Saturday (1pm GMT)


SV Meppen vs Eintracht Braunschweig

It’s simple. If Braunschweig win, they’re up as runners up. With Kaiserslautern playing their last game this weekend, Braunswhieg know that three points will be enough. They will have to do it on the road against a Meppen side that has probably been on the beach for a few weeks now in all honesty. The odds point massively to an away win here. If not, they’ll have one more opportunity on the last day at home to Viktoria Köln. Personally, I think they’ll get the job done this weekend.

(Prediction: Meppen 0:3 Braunschweig)

FC Magdeburg vs 1860 München

Magdeburg are up and have the league title to match. Their opponents however could still get a promotion play-off should they win this weekend and Kiasersluatern lose or draw. 1860 will have to go for it and hope that Magdeburg are still in party mode. If FCK fail to win and the Bavarians do the business then it will be in their hands to get a play-off spot next weekend.

MSV Duisburg vs Freiburg II

If Duisburg win, they are safe from relegation with a game left. If not, they will have to go to fellow relegation-strugglers Verl for what will be an end-of-season showdown with one of them potentially going down. It’s been quite the week for MSV, they sacked their manager and have brought in Torsten Zeigner until the end of the season. It’s a huge gamble but will it pay off? After all, Freiburg II have nothing really to play for.

(Prediction: Duisburg 2:1 Freiburg II)

The remaining Saturday games are as followed but will have no consequence on promotion and relegation:

Saarbrücken vs Zwickau

Havelse vs Osnabrück

Wiesbaden vs Mannheim

Sunday

Viktoria Köln vs FC Kaiserslautern

If Kaiserslautern win this one then they are guaranteed to finish at least 3rd. If Braunschweig manage to draw or lose this weekend and on the final day then FCK will finish 2nd. However, it’s a big ask. I think Kaiserslautern will have to settle for a play-off. On the other hand, Viktoria Köln aren’t technically safe. However, I can’t see all the teams below them winning. However, with FCK and Braunschweig in their last two games, they will want to make mathematically sure that they are safe. A draw will be enough.

(Prediciton: Viktoria Köln 1:1 Kaiserslautern)

Würzburger Kickers vs FC Hallescher

The Kickers are already down. However, similar to Viktoria Köln, Halle aren’t quite safe themselves although it’s unlikely they’ll finish inside the bottom four. Likewise, a draw is enough for Halle here. Considering they’re playing an already relegated side, I think they’ll manage it before the last game. If they don’t, they will have to do it against Wiesbaden next weekend.

(Prediciton: Würzburger 1:2 Hallescher)

So that is the state of play on the penultimate weekend of 3. Liga football. Second and third place might very well be sealed over the coming days. However, down the bottom it is certain to come down to the final 90 minutes of this incredible campaign. If your team is involved at either end of the table, be prepared to hold your nerves.



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