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

In the first round of the DFB-Pokal, Wurzburger Kickers could pull off one of the tournament's great upsets when they welcome FC Koln to Akon Arena on Monday.

Many will predict a win for Bundesliga side Koln given the hosts come into the clash as a third division team, but the DFB-Pokal has often been a prosperous competition for clubs in the lower leagues.

Match preview

Wurzburger Kickers will be delighted with the start they have made to their 3. Liga season given they are currently third with four points after two matchweeks.

The club will hope that they can earn a second consecutive promotion, though they suffered relegation immediately in 2020-21, their first campaign in the 3. Liga after being promoted in 2019-20.

Rothosen's history with the DFB-Pokal is not particularly extensive considering 2026-27 will be just their 12th foray into the competition, and an exit on Monday would be their sixth successive elimination in the first round.

Boss Ralf Santelli should take comfort from the fact his side have scored at least two goals in three of their past four clashes in the tournament, though they did ultimately lose all four contests.

Wurzburger Kickers are unbeaten in their last 16 competitive matches at home, with the team winning on 12 occasions.

Koln are yet to begin their Bundesliga season, but they will be delighted to have earned survival in 2025-26, finishing 14th with 32 points.

However, they only finished three points above Wolfsburg in the 16th-placed relegation playoff spot, and they collected just nine points from their final 14 league outings.

Rene Wagner was appointed on a permanent basis this summer after initially leading the team as interim head coach from March, and he oversaw four wins and one stalemate in pre-season.

An exit for the Billy Goats in the first round of the DFB-Pokal would be just their second in 19 entries into the competition.

The visitors failed to achieve victory in any of their last 13 competitive away fixtures of 2025-26, and they suffered seven losses in that time.

Wurzburger Kickers form (all competitions):

FC Koln form (all competitions):

Team News

Is Wurzburger Kickers continue to use a back three, expect to see Ebrahim Farahnah, Daniel Hagele and Leo Eberle together.

Midfielders Namrud Embaye and David Kinsombi could be stationed ahead of the trio, while Tim Kraus and Tarsis Bonga are likely to start together in attack.

Koln are unlikely to name their strongest possible lineup, and it would not be surprising to see goalkeeper Martin James play behind centre-backs Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Julian Pauli.

Kristiyan Irmiev is a candidate to feature in a double pivot, and the 19-year-old may be joined by Tom Krauss, and the duo will have to support number Said El Mala in an advanced role.

Ragnar Ache is set to make an appearance in some capacity, and if the striker starts, he could be flanked by Linton Maina and Marius Bulter.

Wurzburger Kickers possible starting lineup:

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

FC Koln possible 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 will rightly be seen as favourites, Wurzburger Kickers should not be discounted, especially as they have often been potent in attack in the DFB-Pokal.

Koln's away record last season was alarming, as was their overall performances in the final stages of the campaign, and perhaps they could suffer a shock defeat on Monday.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.