- Defense record: Hertha BSC Berlin have conceded 19 goals in 15 away matches in the 2. Bundesliga.
- Home scoring: 1.FC Magdeburg have scored 1.47 goals per game at home in the 2. Bundesliga, conceding 1.80.
- Head-to-head: Head-to-head clashes at Magdeburg's home have averaged 3.5 goals per game.
Hertha BSC Berlin inching towards the promotion
Hertha BSC Berlin are sixth in the 2. Bundesliga table with 48 points from 31 matches, 15 more than 16th-placed 1.FC Magdeburg, who have 33 points from 31 matches. Hertha are unbeaten in their last three away matches, winning two and drawing one, while Magdeburg have won their last two home games in a mini-resurgence.
Head-to-head this season and over the last few seasons tells us that this could be a goal-fest. The teams have played out five matches, with two wins apiece and a draw.
The most recent meeting saw Magdeburg win 2-0 away from home, but head-to-head clashes at Magdeburg's home have averaged 3.5 goals per game.
Magdeburg have been on a mixed run of form recently, winning three and losing two of their last five outings. They beat Fortuna Dusseldorf 2-0 at home last time out, but fell to 4-3 and 1-0 away defeats against Paderborn and Nurnberg in their previous two matches.
Hertha are in a similar vein, having won two, drawn one and lost two of their last five. Their run included a 1-1 away draw to Eintracht Braunschweig, and 1-0 home defeats against Kaiserslautern and Holstein Kiel.
Stylistic clash should lead to transitions and goals
Magdeburg approach:
Petrik Sander took over at Magdeburg in November 2025 and has been a revelation for the club. He has introduced a disciplined, possession-based approach, using a three-at-the-back or wing-back heavy formation to overload the flanks and create chances through vertical combinations, although this is a team that scores plenty and concedes more than they’d like.
Hertha approach:
Stefan Leitl took charge at Hertha in February 2025 and his approach is much more rigid and control-based. His 4-2-3-1 has a focus on balance in midfield, and they look to create chances through possession dominance, before clogging up the middle of the park when they win the ball back.
Prediction:
This will be a midfield battle as well as a chess match, but with both teams scoring and conceding at regular intervals, we’re backing the over 2.5 goals market and for both teams to score. The odds on Hertha BSC Berlin to win look favorable at 2.91 too, and we’re taking the visitors to edge what should be a high-scoring contest.
Zukowski to pile on the goals
Mateusz Zukowski is the talisman for Magdeburg and his record of 17 goals in 18 2. Bundesliga appearances should continue here. He’s been in red hot form of late, netting six goals in his last five appearances for the team, so he’s the obvious pick in the anytime scorer market.
- Fabian Reese is Hertha’s main man up top, netting ten goals in 30 appearances in the league this season.
- He has three of Hertha’s last seven goals and his ability to find the net in tight spots will be a constant threat to Magdeburg’s defence on Sunday.
