Verdict: Greuther Furth win
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Seeking a second-leg turnaround on Tuesday night in the battle to keep hold of their Bundesliga 2 status, Greuther Furth will welcome RW Essen to the Sportpark Ronhof.
Greuther Furth
Starting with the hosts, opening up the 2025/26 campaign with many billing them as a genuine play-off contender this season, Greuther Furth had plenty of expectations on their shoulders. However, embarking on what has been a nightmare Bundesliga 2 campaign, Heiko Vogel’s side are now remarkably in an almighty tussle to keep hold of their second-tier status and avoid an infamous relegation. Failing to pick up what could prove to be a crucial first-leg advantage on their travels last week as they eventually fell to a 1-0 loss in Essen, the Shamrocks are 90 minutes away from breaking even more unwanted records. In fact, despite signing off their regular-season charge with a much-welcomed 3-0 victory at home against Dusseldorf, Tuesday’s hosts have won just a pair of their previous nine appearances across all fronts.
Greuther Furth Team News
Suffering a leg break in the early stages of Furth’s 0-0 stalemate against Munster on April 11th, Vogel’s side will once again be without ex-Hoffenheim defender Marco John here. Likewise, 19-year-old Lukas Reich remains a major doubt due to a recent muscle issue.
Only making a cameo first-leg appearance in Essen last week, Swiss starlet Aaron Keller could be handed a full recall. Bagging 19 Bundesliga 2 strikes this season and heavily linked with a move away during the summer, one-time Essen youngster Noel Futkeu will lead the line against his former club.
RW Essen
As for the visitors, while RW Essen might have found themselves at the heart of a worrying rut on either side of opening March, Uwe Koschainat’s side have come roaring back over he past few weeks. Claiming a crucial first-leg advantage on home soil last week as they dragged themselves to that gritty 1-0 victory, the Whites will travel to Bavaria on Tuesday night confident of completing the job and booking their first campaign in the Bundesliga 2 since way back in 2007. Signing off their regular-season adventure with a rollercoaster 3-2 win away at Ulm, the one-time Wolfsburg defender finds the mood in his camp at a real high. In fact, RW Essen have won all of their last three consecutive appearances by an aggregate score of 5-2 and they mustered a trio of straight wins for the first time since the start of April.
RW Essen Team News
Not featuring over the past month due to an ankle injury, RW Essen are once again expected to be without veteran midfielder Klaus Gjasula on Tuesday night. Likewise, missing out last week, Freiburg loanee Franci Bouebari remains a major doubt due to a muscle issue.
Bagging what could prove to be a famous first-leg winner last week, former Borussia Monchengladbach youngster Torben Musel will start in the middle of the park. Arriving from Borussia Dortmund’s youth academy back in January 21-year-old Ben Huning will start at the heart of Essen’s defence.
Greuther Furth vs RW Essen Key Factors to Consider
- When Greuther Furth and RW Essen met for their first-leg showdown last week, Tuesday’s guests clinched a 1-0 victory on home soil.
- Essen have won all of their previous three consecutive appearances by an aggregate score of 5-2.
- The Shamrocks have won just a pair of their previous nine appearances across all formats.
- Despite drawing a first-leg blank last week, Furth marksman Noel Futkeu has registered 12 direct goal contributions (10 goals, two assists) in his last 13 outings.
- Furth have suffered just a single defeat in front of their own supporters since the start of February.
Conclusion
Missing out on the chance to claim a first-leg advantage last week, Furth have the weight of the world on their shoulders here. 90 minutes away from suffering what would be an infamous Bundesliga 2 relegation, the Shamrocks will be excited to make a return to home soil on Tuesday night. Suffering just a sole defeat in front of their own supporters since the start of February and signing off their regular-season struggles with a routine 3-0 victory against Dusseldorf on May 17thm we are backing Furth to complete an essential turnaround in midweek.
Verdict: Greuther Furth win
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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