Hannover vs Kaiserslautern – News and Probable Lineups

A spot in the third round of the DFB-Pokal is what’s at stake in Wednesday’s all-2.Bundesliga clash between Hannover 96 and Kaiserslautern at the Heinz-von-Heiden-Arena.

Hannover has not secured a win in their last three games, while their opponents are unbeaten in four matches.

Match overview

Hannover kicked off the 2026-27 season with an astounding 9-1 victory against fifth-division SV Hemelingen in the first round of the DFB-Pokal.

Nonetheless, Sandro Wagner’s team has faced challenges in the initial months of the 2.Bundesliga season, achieving only two wins from nine league fixtures (D2, L5).

Their last victory came against Bochum just before the international break, but they returned to action with a heavy 3-0 loss at Magdeburg, followed by a 1-1 draw against St. Pauli.

Hannover suffered a third consecutive away defeat on Sunday in a derby encounter against Eintracht Braunschweig, with a 2-0 defeat leaving them at the bottom of the table on goal difference.

Die Roten will now be back at the Heinz-von-Heiden-Arena, where they have not tasted defeat in their last four home matches since losing to Wolfsburg in August (W2, D2).

Their supporters will be eager to see the team reach the third round for the first time since their quarter-final run in the 2021-22 DFB-Pokal campaign.

In contrast, Kaiserslautern is positioned towards the upper echelons of the 2.Bundesliga with five wins, three draws, and one loss in their nine matches.

Although they rank as the fourth-highest scoring team in the league with nine goals, Kaiserslautern’s strong defensive performances have been crucial, having conceded only four goals in the second tier this season.

Their recent form includes four consecutive league games where they have kept clean sheets, including a 1-0 away victory against promotion contenders Nurnberg last Saturday.

Erencan Yardimci’s third league goal secured a second consecutive win for Kaiserslautern, positioning them in third place, just behind second-placed Nurnberg on goal difference.

Kaiserslautern will now momentarily shift their focus from their promotion pursuits to Wednesday’s DFB-Pokal match, aiming to replicate their impressive run to the final in the 2023-24 season.

Die Roten Teufel celebrated a 3-1 success at home against Hannover in their last encounter, but they have not secured victory in their past three away matches (D1, L2).

Team News

Hannover is expected to be without Lars Gindorf, Karl Steinmann, Benedikt Pichler, and Joschua Siewert.

Mustapha Bundu has returned to team training, but it remains uncertain if he will be fit to make a comeback after being sidelined for six matches due to injury.

Ime Okon, Franz Roggow, and Hayate Matsuda may also get a look-in if Wagner opts to make adjustments to his squad ahead of Wednesday’s cup fixture.

As for the visiting side, they will be without defender Kelven Frees, who has been absent for the last three matches due to a hamstring issue.

Yardimci is not likely to participate after his impactful substitute appearance against Nurnberg was interrupted by injury.

Fabian Kunze, Marlon Ritter, Thierry Tazmeta, and Mergim Berisha are all vying for starting positions, with Lieberknecht likely to introduce fresh legs into the lineup for the midweek fixture.

Hannover probable starting XI:

Weinkauf; Ghita, Tomiak, Okon, Neubauer; Chakroun, Roggow, Thordarson, Matsuda; Kallman, Hartel

Kaiserslautern probable starting XI:

Krahl; Elvedi, Gyamfi, Murphy; Joly, Sahin, Kunze, Haas; Tazmeta, Ritter; Berisha

Kaiserslautern should be riding high on confidence after securing victories in three of their last four league outings, and we anticipate that their steadfast defence will be pivotal for yet another win in Wednesday’s DFB-Pokal fixture.