Hertha BSC vs. 1. FC Kaiserslautern DFB-Pokal preview: Team news and predicted lineups

A look at the key storylines, team news and predicted lineups ahead of Tuesday’s DFB-Pokal round-of-16 clash between Hertha BSC and 1. FC Kaiserslautern.

Barely a month has passed since the two sides last met in league action, when Hertha claimed a 1-0 win at the Fritz-Walter-Stadion. Now they face off again, this time in the cup at the Olympiastadion (18:00 CET), with a place in the quarter-finals on the line.

Hertha enter the tie full of confidence after beating Holstein Kiel 1-0 away at the weekend, extending their winning streak to six matches in all competitions – all without conceding. The mood around the capital club could hardly be better.

Their route to the last 16 featured a convincing 3-0 win over an impressive Elversberg side, sealed by goals from Michael Cuisance, Sebastian Grønning and Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson, a result that also avenged their home defeat to them in August.

Head coach Stefan Leitl is expecting another hard-fought encounter on Tuesday:

“Kaiserslautern are an absolute top team in the second division. We saw how difficult the game was there and know how difficult it can be this time. But it’s a different competition and a different approach. Both teams need to win to advance.” 

While Kaiserslautern don’t match Hertha’s blistering run of form, they have enjoyed a steady season and remain within touching distance of the promotion race. Their 2-0 defeat to Braunschweig at the weekend was a setback, but Torsten Lieberknecht will demand a strong reaction, especially with the chance for revenge fresh in the players’ minds.

Kaiserslautern reached this stage by edging out struggling Greuther Fürth in the second round, thanks to an early strike from the in-form Naatan Skyttä.

The sides also met in the quarter-finals of the 2023/24 DFB-Pokal, when Kaiserslautern claimed a memorable 3-1 win at the Olympiastadion on their way to the final. Hertha and Leitl will be desperate to avoid a repeat of that outcome in front of what is expected to be a lively home crowd.

Team news: 

Hertha are without John Brooks and Leon Jensen due to injury, while Deyovaisio Zeefuik is suspended. Toni Leistner is expected to return to the starting lineup. 

Kaiserslautern are missing Simon Asta, Paul Joly, Kenny Redondo, Mahir Emreli and Ji-Soo Kim.

Predicted lineups: 

Hertha BSC (4-2-3-1): Ernst (GK) – Gechter, Leistner, Dardai, Karbownik – Seguin, Eichhorn – Reese, Cuisance, Winkler – Grønning 

1. FC Kaiserslautern (3-4-1-2): Krahl (GK) – Sirch, Gyamfi, Robinson – Abiama, Kunze, Şahin, Haas – Skyttä – Ritter, Prtajin