Osnabruck v Darmstadt: Bundesliga 2 match betting preview, free tip & TV details

TV: BT Sport 3, 7.30pm Monday

Newly-promoted clubs are often written off before the season has started but Bundesliga 2 outfit Osnabruck have already shown they can hold their own in Germany's second tier.

The Lily Whites pushed Bundesliga title hopefuls Leipzig close in their German Cup encounter this month, losing 3-2 but mustering as many shots and enjoying only one per cent less possession.

Their league opener at home to Heidenheim was tarnished by Kevin Wolze's 82nd-minute sending off, after which the visitors struck twice to take maximum points.

But they followed that with a 1-0 win at Sandhausen before the Leipzig match and can shock unbeaten Darmstadt in their third league assignment of the season.

The visitors have taken four points from their opening two fixtures but were thoroughly outplayed in both, allowing 25 and 22 shots in each match and conceding 67 and 72 per cent possession.

• Bundesliga 2 standings, stats and match-result prices

Their 6-1 cup triumph was misleading given it came against fifth-division Oberneuland and they are short of key players for this league meeting.

Osnabruck are missing players of their own but Darmstadt's absences are more pressing with goalkeeper Marcel Schuhen sidelined along with Julian von Haacke, Braydon Manu and Felix Platte.

The hosts conceded only 31 goals on their way to the third-tier title last season and will be focused on making themselves tough to beat in their new division. They can claim a valuable scalp this time.

Recommendation
Osnabruck
1pt 6-4 RedZone
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