Fortuna Dusseldorf vs Freiburg - prediction, team news, lineups

By Lewis Nolan | 21 Aug 2026 20:47, Last updated: 21 Aug 2026 20:49

Fortuna Dusseldorf will anticipation to propulsion disconnected 1 of the large DFB-Pokal upsets erstwhile they invited Freiburg to Merkur Spiel-Arena on Sunday.

The hosts travel into the archetypal circular of the cupful contention arsenic a 3rd part side, portion their Bundesliga opponents volition person ambitions of qualifying for Europe erstwhile again, and the DFB-Pokal could beryllium 1 of their routes towards that goal.

Match preview

Fortuna Dusseldorf person made a mediocre commencement to their 3. Liga campaign, losing some of their opening league fixtures, the astir caller of which was a 2-0 nonaccomplishment to Hoffenheim II connected August 15.

The hosts are two-time winners of the DFB-Pokal, though the past clip they lifted the trophy came successful 1979-80, and they person failed to beforehand past the 2nd circular of the contention successful 9 of their past 13 entries into the tournament.

Fortuna were beaten by Freiburg successful the 2nd circular successful 2025-26, losing 3-1 successful October 2025, but they person won 3 and mislaid conscionable 2 of their past six meetings with the visitors.

Alexander Ende's side's decision against Hoffenheim II ended their streak of 2 consecutive competitory triumphs astatine home, though it was besides the 3rd clip they were beaten successful 5 games at Merkur Spiel-Arena.

Freiburg are yet to statesman their Bundesliga campaign, and their purpose for 2026-27 volition beryllium to unafraid a European spot for a 5th clip successful six seasons.

The visitors reached the Europa League last past term, and their taxing continental escapade nary uncertainty contributed to their seventh-placed finish, 2 places little than successful 2024-25.

Head coach Julian Schuster besides managed to usher the nine to the semi-finals of the DFB-Pokal successful 2025-26, their 3rd quality successful the last 4 successful the past 5 editions of the competition.

Breisgau-Brasilianer person played 1 competitory lucifer this term, with the team beating Motherwell 3-1 successful the archetypal limb of their Conference League qualifier connected Thursday.

That triumph was the archetypal clip successful 5 distant games that Freiburg avoided defeat, though it was their 4th occurrence successful their past 8 clashes connected the road.

Fortuna Dusseldorf signifier (all competitions):

Freiburg signifier (all competitions):

Team News

Fortuna person often utilized a backmost four, and if they proceed to usage their 4-4-2 formation, possibly Tim Oberdorf and Feliz Meiser volition beryllium trusted successful the bosom of defence.

The 2 centre-backs whitethorn beryllium protected by a treble pivot consisting of Marcel Benger and Elias Arden.

As for Freiburg, expect to spot aggregate changes from the squad that faced Motherwell, with forwards like Jan-Niklas Beste, Yuito Suzuki and Igor Matanovic apt to driblet out.

Perhaps Keisuke Goto volition play arsenic the visitors' fig nine, portion Cyriaque Irie and Lucas Holer could beryllium asked to enactment the striker.

Centre-back Philipp Lienhart tin beryllium expected to travel into the XI owed to the fact Maximilian Rosenfelder was forced disconnected against Motherwell.

Fortuna Dusseldorf imaginable starting lineup:

Riess; Zimmermann, Oberdorf, Meiser, Van Der Sloot; Paulina, Arden, Benger, Consbruch; Schleusener, Hottmann

Freiburg imaginable starting lineup:

Huth; Kubler, Ginter, Lienhart, Makengo; Tarnutzer, Yamamoto; Irie, Holer, Scherhant; Goto

We say: Fortuna Dusseldorf 1-3 Freiburg

Freiburg volition beryllium expected to win, though their starting XI could instrumentality clip to settee into the crippled if aggregate changes are made.

Fortuna Dusseldorf whitethorn acquisition immoderate joyousness against their makeshift opponents, though Freiburg's prime should spot them beforehand into the adjacent round.

For information investigation of the astir apt results, scorelines and much for this lucifer delight click here.