Wurzburger Kickers vs FC Cologne – News and Probable Lineups

In the opening round of the DFB-Pokal, Wurzburger Kickers will look to achieve a major upset as they take on FC Koln at Akon Arena on Monday.

Many observers may predict a victory for the Bundesliga outfit Koln, especially since the hosts enter this fixture as a third division team; however, the DFB-Pokal has a history of lower league clubs producing surprising results.

Match overview

Wurzburger Kickers will surely be pleased with their start to the 3. Liga season, currently sitting in third place with four points after two matches.

The club aims to achieve back-to-back promotions, although they experienced relegation immediately in the 2020-21 season, which was their first in the 3. Liga after gaining promotion in the 2019-20 campaign.

Rothosen’s engagement with the DFB-Pokal isn’t particularly extensive, as the 2026-27 season will mark their twelfth venture into the tournament, and a loss on Monday would result in their sixth consecutive first-round exit.

Head coach Ralf Santelli may find solace in the fact that his team has netted at least two goals in three of their last four matches in this competition, despite losing all four encounters.

Wurzburger Kickers remain unbeaten in their last 16 competitive home matches, securing victory in 12 of those contests.

Koln have yet to kick off their Bundesliga season, but they must be relieved to have managed to avoid relegation in the 2025-26 campaign, finishing in 14th place with 32 points.

However, they finished just three points above Wolfsburg, who were in the relegation playoff position, and they garnered only nine points from their last 14 league matches.

Rene Wagner has been appointed on a permanent basis this summer after first taking charge as interim head coach from March, overseeing four victories and a draw during pre-season.

A first-round exit for the Billy Goats in the DFB-Pokal would mark only their second such occurrence in 19 attempts in the tournament.

The visitors struggled to secure victories in any of their last 13 competitive away matches during the 2025-26 season, suffering seven losses in that span.

Team News

If Wurzburger Kickers continue with a three-man defence, expect to see Ebrahim Farahnah, Daniel Hagele, and Leo Eberle play together.

Midfield duo Namrud Embaye and David Kinsombi could position themselves in front of the backline, while Tim Kraus and Tarsis Bonga are set to lead the attack.

Koln may not field their strongest possible lineup, making it likely that goalkeeper Martin James will feature behind centre-backs Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Julian Pauli.

Kristiyan Irmiev is a possibility to play in a double pivot formation, potentially joined by Tom Krauss, with both tasked to support Said El Mala in an advanced role.

Ragnar Ache is expected to feature in some capacity, and if the striker starts, he may be supported by Linton Maina and Marius Bulter.

Wurzburger Kickers probable starting XI:

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

FC Koln probable starting XI:

James; Furst, Simpson-Pusey, Pauli, Mensah; Irmiev, Krauss; Maina, El Mala, Bulter; Ache

While the visitors are rightly considered the favourites, Wurzburger Kickers should not be underestimated, especially given their strong attacking form in the DFB-Pokal historically.

Koln’s away form last season was concerning, as were their overall performances towards the latter part of the campaign, so they could be in for a surprising defeat on Monday.