Preview: Jahn Regensburg vs. FC Koln - prediction, team news, lineups

2.Bundesliga outfit Jahn Regensburg take on Bundesliga strugglers FC Koln for a place in the DFB-Pokal quarter final on Wednesday.

The hosts, who have never competed in the Bundesliga, are currently 11th in Germany's second tier.

Match preview

Jahn are currently competing in the second tier of Germany for the fourth successive season, which is a solid platform for further success in the future for a club of their size and ambitions.

They are currently managed by 38-year-old Mersad Selimbegovic, who made 68 league appearances for the club between 2006 and 2012, taking over as manager seven years later.

The Serbian led the side to 12th place last season, which was a regression from 5th and 8th in the previous two seasons, but a cup run could provide real impetus to his time in charge at the club.

Jahn have not faced a Bundesliga side in this year's competition, but will be cautiously optimistic of springing an upset against a Koln side who are fighting against competing in the second tier alongside their forthcoming opponents next season.

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In fairness, Koln did move out of the relegation places with an excellent 3-1 victory over relegation rivals Arminia Bielefeld on Sunday.

Markus Gisdol's side were deserved winners, with Marius Wolf striking twice in the first half before Elvis Rexhbecaj sealed a crucial three points after the hour mark, with Sergio Cordova's late goal proving nothing more than a consolation effort.

Only four clubs - Bayern Munich, Werder Bremen, Schalke 04 and Eintracht Frankfurt - have won the DFB-Pokal more times than Koln's impressive of tally of four triumphs, but the Cologne-based outfit have not lifted Germany's cup since 1983.

A trip to a side a division below them represents a fantastic opportunity of continuing the momentum gained from Sunday's win with a quarter-final in the near future to look forward to.

Jahn Regensburg DFB-Pokal form: WW Jahn Regensburg form (all competitions): LLWLWD

FC Koln DFB-Pokal form: WW FC Koln form (all competitions): LLDWLW

Team News

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Jahn tend to operate with a 4-4-2 formation under Selimbegovic, with striker Andreas Albers their main danger man with six goals to his name this season.

The 6ft 4in target man will particularly need to be marked closely from crosses and set-pieces, which are likely to be Jahn's main way of scoring.

Koln, meanwhile, are likely to remain without Sava-Arangel Cestic, Sebastian Andersson and Florian Kainz for the trip to Regensberg due to injury.

With Gisdol prioritising survival this season, several fringe players could receive an opportunity to impress him for the coming league games.

Jahn Regensburg possible starting lineup: Meyer; Saller, Nachreiner, Elvedi, Wekesser; Vrenezi, Moritz, Gimber, Opoku; Ottu, Albers

FC Koln possible starting lineup: T. Horn; Wolf, Mere, Bornauw, Katterbach; Ozcan, Skhiri, Duda; Limnios, Modeste, Jakobs

We say: Jahn Regensburg 1-1 FC Koln

We can see a closely fought encounter between these two sides, with Jahn pushing their Bundesliga opposition all of the way.

It would not be a surprise to see the match settled by penalties.