DFB-Pokal Monday Preview: Mainz, Hertha and Düsseldorf are favorites to progress

Three cup ties will be played simultaneously before Dortmund’s trip to Essen.

Dynamo Dresden vs. 1. FSV Mainz 05

On Thursday, Mainz will face a big challenge in Norway against Rosenborg in the first leg of a Conference League tie. However, they will have to deal with a domestic cup tie three days before their first European tie in nearly eight years.

The DFB-Pokal draw hasn’t been kind to them as well. Dynamo Dresden start their 2. Bundesliga campaign with two defeats, but they are known for their spectacular atmospheres, especially on such occasions. The signing of Vincent Vermeij could also add more quality to the squad in the final third.

Predicted lineups:

Dresden: Schreiber; Faber, Boeder, Kammerknecht, Risch; Sapina; Amoako, Fröling; Lemmer, Vermeij, Kother

Mainz: Zentner; da Costa, Bell, Kohr; Caci, Amiri, Kai. Sano, Mwene; Nebel, Hollerbach; Weiper

Preußen Münster vs. Hertha Berlin

The two teams are only separated by the “Goals Scored” category in the 2. Bundesliga standings after two matchdays. The hosts surprised many by maintaining their league status last season, and it’s all about promotion for the capital city club this term.

However, both sides are still waiting for their first win of the season. One thing is certain on Monday: one of them will celebrate a victory. Münster won both the head-to-head fixtures in the league last season. And, Hertha, who will have the home advantage if they go all the way to the final, progressed to the next rounds in the last two cup ties against Münster.

Predicted lineups:

Münster: Schenk; ter Horst, Heuer, Jaeckel, Kirkeskov; Preißinger; Hendrix, Schulz; Batista Meier; Mees, Amenyido

Hertha: Ernst; Gechter, Leistner, M. Dardai; Eitschberger, Jensen, Winkler; Cuisance, Krattenmacher; Kownacki, Reese

Schweinfurt 05 vs. Fortuna Düsseldorf

Schweinfurt and Düsseldorf are not only searching for their first wins of the season, but they’re also currently in the bottom place in 3. Liga and 2. Bundesliga, respectively. Monday’s game will have more importance after their false starts to their respective campaigns.

Predicted lineups:

Schweinfurt: Stahl; Zeller, Meißner, Trslic, Krätschmer; Geis, Angleberger; Müller, Wintzheimer, Endres; Dellinger

Düsseldorf: Kastenmeier; Zimmermann, Oberdorf, Siebert, Heyer; El Azzouzi; Rasmussen, Alexandropoulos, Muslija, Appelkamp; Itten

The last two First Round cup fixtures will be played in the final midweek of August since VfB Stuttgart and Bayern Munich played in the Franz Beckenbauer-Supercup match on Saturday. The holders will travel to the high-flying 2. Bundesliga side Eintracht Braunschweig on Tuesday, while the Rekordmeister see out the first round action away at SV Wehen Wiesbaden the next day.