Jeddeloh vs Hertha Berlin – News and Probable Lineups

In a bid to see if lightning can strike twice in the DFB-Pokal, fourth-tier Jeddeloh is preparing to host 2. Bundesliga leaders Hertha Berlin at Marschwegstadion on Wednesday.

While the home side aims to secure their first victory under their newly appointed manager, Die Alte Dame enters the match as the clear favorites.

Match overview

Jeddeloh made a splash in the initial round of the DFB-Pokal with a stunning 5-2 victory against Heidenheim, who were relegated from the top tier last season.

However, following that triumph, the club has faced challenges in the Regionalliga Nord this season, leading to the dismissal of Kristian Arambasic, the manager responsible for their first-round victory, just six weeks later.

At the time of his firing, Arambasic had left Jeddeloh second from the bottom with only 10 points from 12 matches, and his departure was triggered by a heavy 7-2 defeat to SV Drochtersen/Assel.

On October 19, Burak Bahar was appointed to succeed him and managed to secure a point in his first match, a 1-1 draw against Eimsbutteler.

While it seems unlikely that Jeddeloh will replicate their first-round success on Wednesday, avoiding a heavy defeat would be viewed as a positive result for the new head coach, especially given the team has already been breached for 37 goals in just 15 league matches.

On the other hand, Stefan Leitl’s Hertha currently sits atop the 2. Bundesliga and will be confident of advancing to the next round during the midweek fixture.

Die Alte Dame has yet to be defeated in any competition this season, recording nine wins and a single draw over their first 10 matches.

In their last outing on Saturday, Leitl’s team secured all three points by defeating Arminia Bielefeld 1-0, thanks to a penalty converted by Josip Brekalo in the 93rd minute.

In addition to the positive points, this victory will also please the manager, as it marked the first occasion his squad maintained back-to-back clean sheets this term.

Traveling to Lower Saxony on Wednesday, the visitors will anticipate coming away with a win, given their higher-tier standing and the fact that they’ve recorded five victories on the road this season.

Nonetheless, some sections of the Hertha fanbase may be cautious of Jeddeloh’s reputation as ‘giant-killers’, especially in light of the fact that the Berlin side required a penalty shootout to edge out Saarbrucken of the 3. Liga in the first round.

Team News

Jeddeloh will be missing striker Simon Brinkmann due to a knee injury, but his twin brother Moritz Brinkmann is expected to be fit to start alongside Kamer Krasniqi behind Haris Hyseni.

On the defensive end, the hosts are likely to line up with Niklas von Aschwege, Gazi Siala, and Fynn Luca Friedrichs as their back three, providing protection in front of goalkeeper Moritz Onken.

Hertha, meanwhile, maintains a relatively healthy squad, although concerns linger over striker Gustaf Nilsson and midfielder Boris Lum, both of whom are experiencing physical issues, in addition to centre-back Marton Dardai, who is encountering a groin concern.

If all three players are unavailable, Linus Gechter could join Niklas Kolbe at centre-half once again, with Paul Seguin and Kevin Sessa likely forming the midfield duo in Leitl’s setup.

On Wednesday, Sebastian Gronning is poised to spearhead the attack, supported by Oluwaseun Adewumi, Jon Dagur Porsteinsson, and Josip Brekalo.

Jeddeloh probable starting XI:

Onken; Aschwege, Siala, Friedrichs; Bothe, Krolikowski, Taguchi, Kanowski; M Brinkmann, Krasniqi; Hyseni

Hertha Berlin probable starting XI:

Gersbeck; Sea trap, Gechter, Kolbe, Pedersen; Seguin, Sessa; Adewumi, Porsteinsson, Brekalo; Groningen

Jeddeloh is a fourth-division team that has struggled significantly this season, making a second DFB-Pokal victory over a 2. Bundesliga opponent a remarkable upset.

Hertha remains unbeaten in all competitions this season and is expected to secure a comfortable away victory on Wednesday.