Battle for promotion in the 3rd division – four teams, but only two places

While everything seems to be clear at the bottom of the table, things are getting more and more exciting at the top: The battle for promotion in the 3rd division is getting worse and worse with three games to go. SV Elversberg is almost through, but behind them four clubs – Dresden, Wehen Wiesbaden, Saarbrücken and Osnabrück – are fighting for second place and relegation place three.

The chances and tasks of the clubs involved on the remaining matchdays (not taken into account is the current second in the table, Freiburg II, which has no right of promotion):

SV Elversberg (70 points)

After the 5-2 win over SpVgg Bayreuth, who have now almost been relegated, last weekend, it’s almost certain: SV Elversberg will be promoted to the second division. A six-point lead over second-placed SC Freiburg II isn’t that crucial because Freiburg isn’t allowed to move up.

More important: The SVE has at least a whopping seven points ahead of the competition lurking behind it. In other words: If another threesome succeeds in Freiburg on Saturday, Elversberg is already through. If not, the sack could be closed at home against Wehen Wiesbaden the following weekend.

Dynamo Dresden (63 points)

Last weekend, Dynamo beat a direct competitor for promotion, SV Wehen Wiesbaden (3-1), and took pole position in terms of second place, which would lead directly to promotion to the 2nd division. However, the Saxons are only ahead of Wehen Wiesbaden (+18) because of the slightly better goal difference (+22).

Dynamo also has a particularly difficult task ahead of them this coming weekend: They travel to the derby in Zwickau, which itself has regained a little hope in the relegation battle with a recent home win against Waldhof Mannheim (3-1).

SV Wehen Wiesbaden (63 points)

With the youngest Defeat in Dresden (1:3) gave the SVWW the great opportunity to decisively distance a direct competitor in the fight for promotion. After the weak performances in Duisburg (2:2) and against Meppen (1:2), it put the next damper on expectations.

Coach Markus Kauczinski swore his squad back before the last three games against Verl, Elversberg and Halle: “When others stumble, it’s important to be there. That’s all we have left. But we have to improve.” The coach continues: “Now we’re in a situation where we’re no longer in a direct promotion spot. First of all, it’s important for us to collect ourselves and bring the quality we had back onto the pitch.”according to the SVWW coach.

VfL Osnabrück (63 points)

On Monday evening, Osnabrück won 1-0 (1-0) at SC Verl and secured three very important points. Only the goal difference separates the team of head coach Tobias Schweinsteiger from the promotion dream. Around 5,000 fans came along and turned the away game into a huge VfL party in front of a good 6,000 spectators.

Osnabrück next welcomes SV Meppen to the derby, of course the home areas are sold out. The very last game of the season against Dortmund II will also be played in front of a jam-packed Bremer Bridge. And for the “away final” at Viktoria Köln, 4,000 people from Osnabrück have already announced their attendance – at least. The euphoria is undeniable “It would be a cheese not to say now that we want to reach one of the two places up there”, says Schweinsteiger.

1. FC Saarbrücken (62 points)

1. FC Saarbrücken had a lackluster last weekend Away game in Oldenburg (1:0) won – the third win in the last four games brought the Saarlanders very close to the promotion places.

What could possibly develop into a trump card on the home stretch of the season: FCS has by far the oldest and therefore most experienced team of all promotion candidates (average age 28 years). The veterans know what to expect and can live with the pressure quite well.

FCS are only one point behind the last three games behind third place, which would currently entitle them to direct promotion. The blue-blacks don’t have promotion in their own hands, but the remaining program with games against Halle, Duisburg and Cologne seems quite feasible.