FC Koln and Hertha Berlin Clash in DFB-Pokal Round of 16
FC Koln is set to face off against Hertha Berlin in a crucial DFB-Pokal round of 16 match at RheinEnergieStadion. The home team, FC Koln, is riding high on their Bundesliga 2 form, aiming to continue their winning streak in the tournament.
Match Preview and Analysis
Despite a recent draw against 10-man Hannover, FC Koln remains unbeaten under the leadership of Gerhard Struber. Their impressive five-match unbeaten streak started with a cup win over Holstein Kiel and includes a victory over a top-flight club. Now, they are looking to secure a spot in the competition’s last eight for the first time in over a decade.
On the other hand, Hertha Berlin has had mixed results in recent matches, with only one win in their last four outings. They will be looking to bounce back and secure a quarter-final spot in the DFB-Pokal.
Team News and Possible Lineups
FC Koln’s Jacob Christensen will be absent due to a severe knee injury, while top scorers Tim Lemperle and Damion Downs will be crucial for the team’s attack. Hertha Berlin’s Pascal Klemens is a doubt for the match, but Florian Niederlechner will be a key player to watch.
Here are the possible starting lineups for both teams:
FC Koln: Schwabe; Pauli, Hubers, Heintz; Ljubicic, Martel, Huseinbasic, Paqarada; Waldschmidt; Lemperle, Downs
Hertha Berlin: Ernst; Kenny, Leistner, Dardai, Zeefuik; Cuisance, Demme, Sessa, Scherhant; Niederlechner, Maza
Prediction
In what promises to be a thrilling encounter, we predict FC Koln to edge out Hertha Berlin with a 2-1 victory. Despite Hertha’s strong away record, FC Koln’s form and recent success against their opponents give them the edge in this match. Will FC Koln continue their winning streak, or will Hertha Berlin cause an upset? Stay tuned to find out!
