Freiburg vs. Hamburger SV (Wednesday, 5.00pm)
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Bundesliga side Freiburg are set to host second-division side Hamburger SV on Wednesday in the second round of the DFB-Pokal at Europa-Park Stadion.
The hosts beat Osnabruck 4-0 in the first round of the competition in August and are fifth in the top flight with 15 points after eight matchweeks, while the away side are fifth in the 2. Bundesliga with 18 points from 10 games and are just two points from first-placed Fortuna Dusseldorf.
We say: Freiburg 2-1 Hamburger SV
Though Hamburger were rampant in the first round of the DFB-Pokal, it is difficult to see how they can overcome their higher-tier opponents.
However, the hosts have been in mixed form of late, and it would not be surprising if their clash against the 2. Bundesliga side was a close affair.
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Hertha Berlin vs. Heidenheim (Wednesday, 5.00pm)
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Hertha Berlin, currently sixth in the German second division, welcome Bundesliga outfit FC Heidenheim to the Olympiastadion in the DFB-Pokal second round on Wednesday, eager to measure their strength against top-flight competition.
Heidenheim, sitting 10th in the Bundesliga and fresh off a convincing first-round win over Villingen, will look to assert their upper-division pedigree against a resurgent Hertha side.
We say: Hertha Berlin 2-1 Heidenheim
While Heidenheim have had success in their European campaign, their recent domestic form has been inconsistent, which may hinder their performance against a Hertha side in good form.
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Frankfurt vs. Borussia M'bach (Wednesday, 5.00pm)
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In an all-top-flight clash, Eintracht Frankfurt will host Borussia Monchengladbach on Wednesday at Deutsche Bank Park in the second round of the DFB-Pokal.
The Eagles are sixth in the Bundesliga with 14 points from eight games and beat Eintracht Braunschweig in the first round of the DFB-Pokal on August 19, whereas the away side are 11th with 10 points after eight matchweeks.
We say: Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 Borussia Monchengladbach
Given the strong home record of Eintracht Frankfurt, it would not be surprising if they emerged as victors on Wednesday.
Additionally, Borussia Monchengladbach have been poor on the road for some time, and it is difficult to see how they advance into the next round.
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SC Paderborn vs. Werder Bremen (Wednesday, 5.00pm)
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Second-tier side SC Paderborn will be hoping to cause an upset in the second round of the DFB-Pokal on Wednesday when they host Bundesliga club Werder Bremen at Home Deluxe Arena.
The 2. Bundesliga side emerged as 4-0 victors against Bremer SV in the first round of the competition in August, while the visitors progressed to the second round after they beat Energie Cottbus 3-1 in August.
We say: SC Paderborn 2-1 Werder Bremen
Given Werder Bremen's recent history of being knocked out of the DFB-Pokal by lower-league opposition, it would not be surprising if they were eliminated by Paderborn on Wednesday.
Paderborn will no doubt have to surrender possession in order to secure victory, but they will be confident considering their previous win against the hosts in 2022-23.
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Arminia Bielefeld vs. Union Berlin (Wednesday, 7.45pm)
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The second round of the DFB-Pokal will see third-tier outfit Arminia Bielefeld taking on top-flight opponents Union Berlin at SchucoArena on Wednesday night.
The hosts are currently in third place in the 3. Liga standings after 12 matches, while the visitors are in fourth place in the Bundesliga after the first eight matches of the season.
We say: Arminia Bielefeld 1-2 Union Berlin
Union Berlin are likely to make several changes in personnel for this match ahead of their league fixture against Bayern Munich over the weekend, and that may enable Arminia Bielefeld to find a goal in this one, though we feel it will not be enough to see them progress to the next round.
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Mainz vs. Bayern (Wednesday, 7.45pm)
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Vincent Kompany's Bayern Munich will hope to pick up their second consecutive win when they travel to face Mainz 05 on Wednesday in the second round of the DFB-Pokal at Mewa Arena.
Mainz are 13th in the Bundesliga with nine points after eight matchweeks and reached the second round after beating Wehen Wiesbaden 3-1 in August, while the Bavarians beat Ulm 4-0 in the first round in August.
We say: Mainz 05 1-3 Bayern Munich
Bayern are in mixed form of late and it would not be surprising if they were to concede first on Wednesday.
However, given the sheer depth of the Bavarians' forward line, it is difficult to see how Mainz would be able to hold onto a lead.
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Hoffenheim vs. Nuremberg (Wednesday, 7.45pm)
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Hoffenheim will welcome 2. Bundesliga outfit Nuremberg to the PreZero Arena for a round two clash in the DFB-Pokal on a jam-packed Wednesday night.
The hosts are currently in 15th place in the top flight after the first eight matches of the season, while the visitors are in eighth place in the second tier after 10 games.
We say: Hoffenheim 1-2 Nuremberg
Hoffenheim have been a long way from their best form this season and are likely to give a few first-team players the night off with an important league match against St Pauli at the weekend and Lyon to come in midweek.
Nuremberg have built up excellent momentum coming into this match, and while they are massive outsiders, we have a feeling they may just be able to cause an upset in this one.
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Oliver Thomas
