When the 2nd Bundesliga starts on Friday, the tough struggle for promotion and survival will start again. Simon Terodde, who recently returned to the Bundesliga with FC Schalke 04, knows the lower house like no other and is now daring to make a prediction for the season.
“This year, too, it will be a tight race to the end – and the fight to stay in the class will also fascinate all fans,” predicted the Knappen attacker in a column for “kicker”.
Although the goalgetter is expecting a lot of excitement, one club at the top definitely stands out for him. “I see Hamburger SV as the top favorites for the upcoming season, and I’ll keep my fingers crossed that promotion will finally work out this season,” said Terodde.
The 34-year-old himself played for the Rothosen in the 2020/21 season. The Hanseatic League now “simply deserved the rise, especially after the lost relegation last time,” wrote Terodde.
He expects Bielefeld and Düsseldorf behind Hamburg, and Heidenheim, Nuremberg and Hanover can also be expected.
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In addition, the center forward sees another surprise team on the horizon, which interferes in the promotion battle, just like Darmstadt 98 did last year. “In the end, the lilies had a chance of promotion until the last matchday,” recalled Terodde.
But there will also be gripping fights for positions in the back seats. “I’m curious to see how the three promoted players do. Magdeburg, Braunschweig and Kaiserslautern are traditional clubs. Of course, they want to keep their class first. But I’m sure there’s more to it, especially with the fans behind them,” he said the royal blue beacon of hope.
In recent years, the veteran has made a name for himself as the top scorer in the 2nd division. Whether at 1. FC Köln, VfB Stuttgart, HSV or most recently Schalke 04: Terodde scored almost everywhere.
Since last season he has been the top scorer in the second tier of German football with 172 goals. He scored a proud 30 goals in 30 appearances for S04.