Darmstadt vs Hamburg Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Darmstadt started out promising against Schalke 04 last Sunday, with Marcel Heller giving the Lilies the lead in the sixth-minute. Hopes of a first point away from home were, however, soon dashed as Schalke dominated and continued Darmstadt’s woes. After four successive defeats against RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen, Ingolstadt and Schalke, Darmstadt will likely be looking to come out fighting in an attempt to bounce back against bottom of the table Hamburg.

Hamburg are still without a win after 12 matches (D4 L8) – the “ever-present” Bundesliga side’s worst ever start to a new campaign – and will be disappointed not to have taken the win last weekend at home to “Nordderby” rivals Werder Bremen. Hamburg were the better side overall, holding a 2-1 lead in the first half, but were ultimately let down again by defensive leaks. Hamburg can, at least, take away a few positives from their back-to-back 2-2 draws – Hamburg are unbeaten in two matches for the first time this season and have scored as many goals in the last two Bundesliga matches (4) as they did over the first ten, even without the suspended Bobby Wood (see team news).

Both Darmstadt 98 and Hamburger SV will be desperate to take a win in a relegation “six-pointer” that both sides will perceive as “winnable”. We should expect plenty of action here based on the above, but we feel Hamburg will likely have the edge for a few reasons: Darmstadt’s four consecutive defeats in the Bundesliga – an equal club record – is their worst run since the 1981/1982 season and showed little sign of progress in their unimpressive performances in recent weeks. Meanwhile, Hamburg, though still wounded from a poor season opening, have been improving week-by-week and last weekend’s match against Bremen saw them manage a season-high 17 shots on goal. While Hamburg are getting more impressive going forward, it must also be noted that they have kept just one clean sheet over their 12 Bundesliga matches so far (8%). As such, expecting a Darmstadt goal here isn’t too much of a stretch of the imagination. Hence, both teams to score at 4/5 should be a profitable bet here.

Regarding a correct score bet, Hamburg’s new found scoring form has seen the North Germans score exactly two goals in each of their last three Bundesliga matches, including against Borussia Dortmund in their 5-2 defeat. Following from this, Hamburg to win 2-1 at 9/1 seems a decent shout.