- Osnabruck have won 2, drawn 1 and lost 2 of their last 5 matches, currently in a minor slump of back-to-back losses (including a 4-1 thrashing away to SC Verl).
- Ulm have lost 4 of their last 5 games and failed to win any of their last 3 at home.
Dotchev looking to dig Ulm out of relegation mire
There’s a clash of styles on Friday when 5th placed VfL Osnabruck travel to 18th-placed SSV Ulm in a critical matchup between two 3.Liga clubs in desperate need of points. Our SSV Ulm vs VfL Osnabruck prediction highlights just how pivotal this game could be for both clubs.
Pavel Dotchev has taken over the reins at Ulm after a period of turmoil at the club and he has his work cut out to keep the Swabians in the third-tier. He has gone safety-first and focused on creating a strong defensive unit that can cling on and nick results here and there.
Osnabrück, by contrast, have been full steam ahead under the stewardship of Timo Schultz, with an exciting brand of energetic football played by flexible players who can press high up the field and switch up their style as needed. It’s been an effective philosophy this season and although they have had a minor blip over the last few weeks, they still remain in the promotion shake-up coming into the Christmas break. The SSV Ulm vs VfL Osnabruck preview underscores the importance of this fixture as both teams look to define their season.
Osnabrück have superior quality
Osnabrück are odds-on favorites at 2.07 for this game, with Ulm at 3.11 and the draw at 3.4. Those odds don’t make a great deal of sense, considering Ulm have been poor in general and particularly on their home turf, where they have won just three of their 8 home games (W3 D0 L5), conceding an average of 1.88 goals per game. This SSV Ulm vs VfL Osnabruck prediction further emphasizes that Osnabruck’s superior quality is likely to make the difference.
Osnabrück suffered a 4-1 thrashing at SC Verl.
Under 2.5 goals a solid play
A clash of these two philosophies should see Ulm park the bus in a low-mid block and look to frustrate Osnabruck before looking to spring forwards at the right moments. Osnabruck will play their usual high-tempo game and press the hosts, looking to force errors and break down Ulm’s shape.
Elias Loeder (4 goals in 16 league games) has been a rare bright spot in the hosts’ attacking play and they will need him on form to get a result. Lars Kehl has been the creative engine for Osnabruck, providing six assists in 17 league appearances, while Ismail Badjie has been the most clinical player, scoring four times in 12 appearances and bagging two of Osnabruck’s last three goals.
We feel Osnabruck have the better form, superior attacking options and stronger away performance to edge what could be a cagey encounter, although it’s worth noting that Ulm picked up a hard-fought 1-0 win away to Viktoria Köln last time out, so they may be improving under Dotchev’s watch. Still, the ‘Under 2.5 goals’ market at 1.99 looks a strong option in this matchup of contrasting styles and forms the main basis of our SSV Ulm vs VfL Osnabruck betting tips.
