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With SpVgg Unterhaching and VfB Lübeck, two relegated teams have already been determined, the other two regional league teams will be determined on Saturday. With KFC Uerdingen, SV Meppen and Bayern Munich, three teams still have to tremble – only one club will be able to save itself. liga3-online.de takes the relegation candidates under the microscope.
Starting position: Since the beginning of April, KFC Uerdingen has been on the bottom line and, after the 1: 4 in Kaiserslautern on May 8, seemed to have one leg in the regional league, but made the leap to the rescue bank in time for the season finale. This was made possible on the one hand by the surprising victory against Magdeburg and on the other hand by the weak competition. Now Uerdingen has the relegation in their own hands, against Mannheim one point is enough – Meppen should not win with more than 13 (!) Goals difference against Duisburg.
Form: After three consecutive defeats in the meantime, the KFC was already tumbling, but recovered and scored seven points from the last five games. Not an outstanding record, but because Meppen (only one point) and Bayern II (three points) scored even worse in the same period, that is enough to finish 16th before the last matchday.
What speaks for the relegation: Of all three relegation candidates, KFC Uerdingen has the best starting position. Even a draw at SV Waldhof Mannheim, where the Krefeld team rose to the green table three years ago, should be enough from a human point of view. Because in order for Uerdingen to be overtaken by SV Meppen, they would have to win their home game against MSV Duisburg with a difference of 13 goals. And even a defeat could be enough for relegation if Meppen and Bayern II play a maximum of draws at the same time.
Starting position: When SV Meppen won against Mannheim and Bayern II in mid-March, the lead over the relegation places was five points – relegation seemed to be in sight. But then a negative series set in, which ensures that the first relegation place is on the books before the last game day. In order to stay in the league, the Emsländer are now dependent on a mistake by the KFC Uerdingen. By far the worst goal difference of all clubs (-25) is an additional mortgage for the Schmitt-Elf, because a win in a draw by the KFC will not be enough – unless Meppen wins by more than 13 goals difference.
Form: Eight games, two points: SV Meppen’s record since the beginning of April reads like that of a relegated team – especially since the Emslanders only met in two games. The effect of the change of coach from Torsten Frings to Rico Schmitt has fizzled out, under the new coach Meppen lost four of the five games.
What speaks for the relegation: Even if it sounds strange: The hopes of SV Meppen rest mainly on SV Waldhof Mannheim, which receives the KFC Uerdingen on Saturday. Meppen only remains in the league if the Palatinate team wins against their direct rivals – assuming a win against Duisburg. And the chances that the Waldhof will take all three points are not necessarily bad, after all, the Glöckner-Elf was able to win three times in a row and convince.
Starting position: Even a defeat in the derby against 1860 Munich would have meant relegation, but by 2-2 the reigning champions kept the mini-chance of relegation alive. Given that they are three points behind, Uerdingen cannot score points against Mannheim and Meppen cannot win against Duisburg so that Bayern can still jump the line if they win against Halle. No question: FCB has the worst starting position of all three relegation candidates, as both competitors have to mess up. There are many indications that the champions will be relegated for the first time in the history of the 3rd division.
Form: Although Bayern have by far the most valuable squad in the league (20.6 million euros), Munich have been without a win for eleven games. The champions were only able to win one of 18 games in the second half of the season – even Unterhaching and Lübeck achieved three wins. Lately, draw and defeat alternated regularly, so a defeat would now follow, which would be equivalent to relegation.
What speaks for the relegation: Even if Bayern are the weakest team in the league, they can only hope that Uerdingen and Meppen – as so often in the last few weeks – go wrong. A Uerdingen defeat at a form strong SV Waldhof is quite conceivable, and that Meppen also does not win against Duisburg seems just as possible. It is also not unreasonable that FCB will end its negative series on the last matchday against Halle. After all, the HFC is one of Bayern’s favorite opponents: There was a clear 4-0 in the first half of the season, Bayern were also able to win both games against the Saalestädter in the last series, in February 2020 even a 6-1 was on the scoreboard.
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