Elversberg vs Darmstadt Prediction, October 27, 2026: Can the Bundesliga High-Flyers Avoid a Cup Hangover? 🏆

Elversberg vs Darmstadt Prediction: Match Preview

Elversberg welcome Darmstadt 98 to the Ursapharm-Arena an der Kaiserlinde on Tuesday evening for a DFB-Pokal second-round tie that pits the Bundesliga’s surprise package against the second tier’s bottom club. Vincent Wagner’s side have been the story of the German season, beating Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Mönchengladbach on their way to eighth in the top flight, but they arrive at this cup fixture reeling from a 4-0 humbling at RB Leipzig. Darmstadt, by contrast, sit dead last in the 2. Bundesliga and have lost their last three away matches by a combined score of 12-1, yet Florian Kohfeldt insists his side will travel to Saarland with genuine intent: “We want to progress, because anything else makes no sense”.

Match Information 📋

Match: SV Elversberg vs SV Darmstadt 98
Competition: Germany: DFB-Pokal – 1/16-finals
Date: Tuesday, 27 October 2026
Kick-off: 20:45 CET (19:45 BST)
Venue: Ursapharm-Arena an der Kaiserlinde, Spiesen-Elversberg
Our Prediction: Elversberg 2-1 Darmstadt

Head-to-Head Record 📋

The clubs have met 18 times competitively, with Elversberg winning eight, Darmstadt five, and five draws. Crucially for the hosts, Elversberg are unbeaten in their last four meetings with Darmstadt, including a 0-0 draw at the Kaiserlinde and a 3-3 thriller at the Böllenfalltor last season. However, the most recent encounter in April 2026 saw Darmstadt race into a 3-0 lead before Elversberg fought back for a point, a warning against complacency.

Elversberg Form 🔵

Last 5: W-L-D-L-L

Elversberg’s Bundesliga dream start has given way to a reality check. The 4-0 defeat at Leipzig was their fourth loss in five league matches, and the manner of the collapse—conceding three times inside the opening half-hour—will concern Wagner. The hosts remain without Jan Gyamerah, who suffered a muscle injury in Leipzig and is facing a lengthy spell out, with Luca Sirch expected to deputise at right-back. Noah Darvich and Tom Zimmerschied remain sidelined, while Cole Campbell and Francis Onyeka are pushing for starts after recent substitute appearances.

Darmstadt Form ⚪

Last 5: L-D-W-L-W

Darmstadt’s league campaign is already in crisis: nine matches, two wins, and a goal difference of -10 leave them bottom of the 2. Bundesliga. The 0-0 home draw with St. Pauli before the international break was followed by a 4-0 thrashing at Karlsruher, and their away form is abysmal. Kohfeldt acknowledged the difficulty of the tie, noting Elversberg “have remained true to their style: very high pressing, trying to play out from the back, and using Petkov’s pace to reach the final line”. Merveille Papela, Fabian Nürnberger, and Luca Marseiler remain unavailable, while Yosuke Furukawa and Carlo Sickinger are doubts.

Team News & Predicted Lineups 📰

Elversberg Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)

Kristof; Sirch, Pinckert, Rohr, Günther; Keidel, Poręba; Petkov, Onyeka, Campbell; Futkeu

Wagner is expected to rotate after the Leipzig humiliation, with Campbell and Onyeka offering fresh legs in the attacking line. Noel Futkeu leads the line, with Petkov’s pace a constant threat in behind.

Darmstadt Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)

Schuhen; Mikelbrencis, Pfeiffer, Lührs, Petretta; Verkooijen, Klefisch; Lee, Sickinger, Kempe; Hornby

Kohfeldt has hinted at changes, with Nicolas Verkooijen and Lee Ho-jae in contention. Carlo Sickinger faces a late fitness test for a return to his former club.

xG & Tactical Analysis 📈

The statistical models give Elversberg a 42.85% win probability, with Darmstadt at 35.04% and the draw at 22.06%. The most likely scoreline is 2-1 to Elversberg (8.77%), while Both Teams to Score carries a 66.27% probability and Over 2.5 goals sits at 69.91%. The xG data from last season’s meetings was remarkably even—1.66 to 1.53 in Darmstadt’s favour in April—but the context could hardly be more different now.

The key battle will be Elversberg’s high press against Darmstadt’s fragile confidence. Kohfeldt has warned his side against sitting deep, insisting they must be “brave with the ball”. But Darmstadt’s defensive record away from home is dire, and Elversberg’s attacking rotations at the Kaiserlinde should create chances.

Betting Analysis 💰

Elversberg are clear favourites at 1.65, with Darmstadt at 5.00 and the draw at 4.20. Both Teams to Score at 1.55 is the standout angle given the 66% probability and both sides’ defensive vulnerabilities. Over 2.5 goals at 1.45 reflects the likelihood of an open contest.

Final Prediction 🏁

Elversberg 2-1 Darmstadt

This is a fixture where the gulf in current form and confidence should prove decisive, but the cup’s capacity for chaos ensures nothing is guaranteed. Elversberg’s Bundesliga start was historic, and the Kaiserlinde crowd will demand a response to the Leipzig humiliation. Wagner’s side possess the attacking quality—Petkov’s pace, Futkeu’s movement, Campbell’s directness—to break down a Darmstadt defence that has conceded 12 goals in three away matches.

Darmstadt will not go quietly. Kohfeldt’s side have nothing to lose, and the memory of their 3-3 comeback at the Böllenfalltor last season proves they can score against this opponent. A consolation goal feels likely. But the gulf in quality and home advantage should carry Elversberg into the third round for the first time in their history.

Prediction: Elversberg 2-1 Darmstadt. Futkeu opens the scoring inside the first half-hour, Darmstadt equalise through a set-piece, and Campbell seals the points in the second half as Elversberg make club history and pile more misery on the 2. Bundesliga’s bottom side.