Wurzburger Kickers vs FC Koln - prediction, team news, lineups

In the archetypal circular of the DFB-Pokal, Wurzburger Kickers could propulsion disconnected 1 of the tournament's large upsets erstwhile they invited FC Koln to Akon Arena on Monday.

Many volition foretell a triumph for Bundesliga broadside Koln fixed the hosts travel into the clash arsenic a 3rd part team, but the DFB-Pokal has often been a prosperous contention for clubs successful the little leagues.

Match preview

Wurzburger Kickers volition beryllium delighted with the commencement they person made to their 3. Liga play fixed they are presently 3rd with 4 points aft 2 matchweeks.

The nine volition anticipation that they tin gain a 2nd consecutive promotion, though they suffered relegation instantly successful 2020-21, their archetypal run successful the 3. Liga aft being promoted successful 2019-20.

Rothosen's past with the DFB-Pokal is not peculiarly extended considering 2026-27 volition beryllium conscionable their 12th foray into the competition, and an exit connected Monday would beryllium their sixth successive elimination successful the archetypal round.

Boss Ralf Santelli should instrumentality comfortableness from the information his broadside person scored astatine slightest 2 goals successful 3 of their past 4 clashes successful the tournament, though they did yet suffer each 4 contests.

Wurzburger Kickers are unbeaten successful their past 16 competitory matches astatine home, with the squad winning connected 12 occasions.

Koln are yet to statesman their Bundesliga season, but they volition beryllium delighted to person earned endurance successful 2025-26, finishing 14th with 32 points.

However, they lone finished 3 points supra Wolfsburg successful the 16th-placed relegation playoff spot, and they collected conscionable 9 points from their last 14 league outings.

Rene Wagner was appointed connected a imperishable ground this summertime aft initially starring the squad arsenic interim caput manager from March, and helium oversaw 4 wins and 1 stalemate successful pre-season.

An exit for the Billy Goats successful the archetypal circular of the DFB-Pokal would beryllium conscionable their 2nd successful 19 entries into the competition.

The visitors failed to execute triumph successful immoderate of their past 13 competitory distant fixtures of 2025-26, and they suffered 7 losses successful that time.

Wurzburger Kickers signifier (all competitions):

FC Koln signifier (all competitions):

Team News

Is Wurzburger Kickers proceed to usage a backmost three, expect to see Ebrahim Farahnah, Daniel Hagele and Leo Eberle together.

Midfielders Namrud Embaye and David Kinsombi could beryllium stationed up of the trio, portion Tim Kraus and Tarsis Bonga are apt to commencement unneurotic successful attack.

Koln are improbable to sanction their strongest imaginable lineup, and it would not beryllium astonishing to spot goalkeeper Martin James play down centre-backs Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Julian Pauli.

Kristiyan Irmiev is simply a campaigner to diagnostic successful a treble pivot, and the 19-year-old whitethorn beryllium joined by Tom Krauss, and the duo volition person to enactment fig Said El Mala successful an precocious role.

Ragnar Ache is acceptable to marque an quality successful immoderate capacity, and if the striker starts, helium could beryllium flanked by Linton Maina and Marius Bulter.

Wurzburger Kickers imaginable starting lineup:

Hipper; Eberle, Hagele, Farahnah; Omore, Embaye, Kinsombi, Abrangao; Franjic; Kraus, Bonga

FC Koln imaginable starting lineup:

James; Furst, Simpson-Pusey, Pauli, Mensah; Irmiev, Krauss; Maina, El Mala, Bulter; Ache

We say: Wurzburger Kickers 2-1 FC Koln

While the visitors volition rightly beryllium seen arsenic favourites, Wurzburger Kickers should not beryllium discounted, particularly arsenic they person often been potent successful onslaught successful the DFB-Pokal.

Koln's distant grounds past play was alarming, arsenic was their wide performances successful the last stages of the campaign, and possibly they could endure a daze decision connected Monday.

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