2.Bundesliga leaders St Pauli will look to secure their place in the last 16 of the DFB-Pokal when they face fourth-tier FC 08 Homburg on Tuesday.
The hosts, meanwhile, are hoping to pull off another cup upset after beating first and second-tier opposition in the opening two rounds of the competition.
Match preview
© Reuters
Homburg, who play their league football in the Regionalliga Sudwest, began their memorable journey in the 2023-24 Pokal with a commanding 3-0 victory over top-flight Darmstadt in August to set up a second-round tie against Greuther Furth of the 2.Bundesliga.
Their latest cup outing looked to be heading to extra time when Furth's Branimir Hrgota cancelled out Fabian Eisele's opener, but Phil Harres managed to net an 83rd-minute winner to send his side into the last 16.
Although Homburg are the lowest-ranked team left in the competition, they will certainly head into Tuesday's fixture in a confident mood, having put together a 12-game unbeaten run since losing to Freiburg's reserve team in September.
After racking up 37 points from their 20 league matches, they are currently sitting top of their league and dreaming of promotion to the 3.Liga.
Impressively, Homburg have won their last six home games, scoring at least two goals in each of those matches, while only conceding three goals in that period.
Like their opponents, St Pauli currently sit top of their respective table, having avoided defeat in each of their 15 league games (W8, D7).
Despite boasting a two-point cushion over the chasing pack, St Pauli may be slightly frustrated after they let a two-goal lead slip in Friday's derby meeting with local rivals Hamburg.
Jackson Irvine opened the scoring with his second goal of the season, before a bizarre own goal put Fabian Hurzeler's side in the driving seat, but Hamburg fought back in the second half to score twice in quick succession and ensure that the spoils were shared.
While St Pauli are hoping to end their 11-year absence from the top flight, they will also be looking to create special memories in the Pokal, having made their way to the third round with wins over Atlas Delmenhorst and Schalke 04.
After previously reaching the quarter-finals in 2021-22, Tuesday's visitors have the chance to advance to the last eight for the second time in three seasons.
- W
- W
- D
- W
- W
- D
Team News
© Reuters
The hosts are expected to be without Felix Weber, Lukas Hoffmann, Tim Stegerer, Mart Ristl, Fanol Perdedaj, Dominic Schmidt and Arman Ardestani.
Homburg boss Danny Schwarz could opt for consistency and select the same lineup that started Saturday's draw with Hoffenheim's reserve side.
Having scored 16 goals in 24 competitive appearances this season, Harres will look to continue his fine form when he leads the line on Tuesday.
As for St Pauli, they should have the majority of their squad available, although they remain without the services of long-term absentee Scott Banks.
After dropping down to the bench for Friday's derby, former Bolton Wanderers forward Oladapo Afolayan could come back into the starting lineup.
Having scored seven times in 13 appearances this season, 25-year-old striker Johannes Eggestein will be one of the visitors' main goal threats.
FC 08 Homburg possible starting lineup:
Kretzchmar; Steinmetz, Quirin, Kirchoff, Heilig, Dombrowka; Hoffmann, Weirauch, Jansen, Mendler; Harres
St Pauli possible starting lineup:
Vasilj; Wahl, Smith, Mets; Saliakas, Irvine, Hartel, Treu; Afolayan, Saad, Eggestein
We say: FC 08 Homburg 1-2 St Pauli
Homburg have already shown this season that they have the players capable of troubling sides in the top two divisions.
As a result, we expect the fourth-tier outfit to put up another strong showing, but we believe that St Pauli's extra quality will be pivotal in the end, which is why we think that they will do enough to squeeze through to the quarter-finals.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
