- Away form: Fortuna have failed to score in all 5 of their away matches, while conceding an average of 2.20 goals.
- Home scoring: Waldhof have scored an average of 1.40 goals in 5 home games, including 7 in 5 across all competitions.
- Recent form: Fortuna have won 2 and lost 3 of their last 5, Waldhof have won 2, drawn 1 and lost 2 of their last 5.
Fortuna’s finishing will be a problem
Recent away struggles
TSV Fortuna Dusseldorf enter their opening game of the 2026-2027 3. Liga campaign without a win in their 5 competitive away games, having been defeated in all of them. They've not scored a goal on the road in that run, while conceding 11 times, an average of 2.20 per match.
Preparation and style
Fortuna are a compact, structure-first team. Alexander Ende has drilled the players to stay organized and keep it tight, then burst forward in transition. Cedric Itten remains the team's main threat up front, having scored 2 of Fortuna's 4 goals in their last 5 matches, but the finishing will need to be better if they're to challenge for promotion this year.
- Their preparation for this opening game has been mixed, with a 1-0 win at home to SSV Jahn Regensburg in the 3. Liga followed by a 5-1 thrashing away to FC Ingolstadt 04 in the same competition, and a 1-2 win in the away leg of their friendly clash with FC Thun.
A battle of styles
Waldhof 07 Mannheim enter this opening clash with a slightly better record of 3 wins, 4 draws and 3 defeats across their last 10 games in all competitions, but with just 2 wins, 2 draws and 1 defeat in their 5 home games, they've got a solid enough record to expect to win the opening leg at home.
Their previous 3 games saw a 1-0 home win over SSV Jahn Regensburg in the 3. Liga, a 5-1 away loss to FC Ingolstadt 04 in the 3. Liga, and a 1-2 away win over FC Thun in a friendly. They're a control-based side, using possession and an aggressive counter-press to keep the game on their terms, where Fortuna will be looking for the turnovers and counter-punches.
Waldhof to win a close battle
The odds suggest this could be a close match-up, with Fortuna coming in at 2.2, Waldhof at 2.95 and the draw at 3.6. The home side should have the edge, but given Fortuna's recent form, that doesn't look quite right.
Over 2.5 goals at 1.67 and both teams to score at 1.55 both look a good bet here, with Fortuna's away form suggesting that Waldhof should be a little more likely than the 2.2 line. The styles of these two teams should lead to a midfield battle, and there should be chances for both sides, but Fortuna's dismal away record across all competitions makes us think that the home team have just enough to edge this one out.
