As the 2. Bundesliga season enters its decisive phase, all eyes turn to the Wildparkstadion this weekend for a crucial clash between Karlsruher SC and SV Darmstadt 98. For the visitors, every match feels like a cup final—Darmstadt are clinging to slim promotion hopes and desperately need a win to keep their dreams alive.

Karlsruhe, meanwhile, have already hit the 40-point mark after a solid campaign, but they haven't mathematically secured their safety just yet. After losing three of their last four outings, Christian Eichner's side will be eager to steady the ship and avoid any late-season drama. The good news for the hosts? No new injuries or suspensions to worry about.

Darmstadt travel without Patric Pfeiffer, who saw red in the first half of last week's wild draw with Elversberg. Florian Nurnberger and Luca Marseiler are also missing, but Florian Kohfeldt's squad has history on their side—they haven't lost to Karlsruhe in nearly five years. The reverse fixture was a thriller, with Darmstadt edging a 3-2 victory thanks to a bizarre own goal from Matej Maglica, who scored at both ends that day.

With promotion on the line and pride at stake, expect a tense, high-stakes battle. Here are the likely lineups:

Karlsruhe: Bernat; Scholl, Franke, Kobald; Jung, Förster, Rapp, Wanitzek (c), Herold; Ben Farhat, Schleusener

Darmstadt: Schuhen (c); Lopez, Vukotic, Maglica, Petretta; Klefisch, Akiyama; Richter, Corredor, Furukawa; Lidberg