The hosts are flying high in the league after three consecutive victories, with Schalke facing the likely prospect of relegation, so the cup provides a welcome distraction for them.

Match preview

VfL Wolfsburg coach Oliver Glasner reacts on January 23, 2021 © Reuters

Indeed, Wolfsburg's impressive 3-0 win over Freiburg on Sunday has seen them climb to third in the table, with Oliver Glasner's side having a fantastic chance of competing in the Champions League for the first time since reaching the quarter-finals in the 2015-16 season.

With a tricky trip to Augsburg on Saturday, it remains to be seen how seriously the 46-year-old takes this competition at this stage of proceedings, but he picked a strong XI in the previous round's 4-0 win over SV Sandhausen.

The Wolves comfortably dispatched Schalke 2-0 away from home in the league in November, though, so this represents a fantastic opportunity of progressing to the last eight.

Wolfsburg won the competition in 2015, so their fans would dearly love to become the 16th German side to win the national cup on multiple occasions.

Schalke 04 coach Christian Gross pictured on January 24, 2021 © Reuters

Only Bayern Munich and Werder Bremen have won the DFB-Pokal more times than Schalke's impressive tally of five, with three of those coming this century, most recently in 2011.

Those days must feel like a lifetime ago for Schalke fans, though, with relegation to the second tier for the first time since 1988 looking increasingly likely for Germany's crisis club.

Christian Gross's side did gain a point at Bremen on Saturday, though, as well as winning their first league game for almost a calendar year earlier in January, so there are small signs of improvement.

Comfortable away wins at lower league opposition have provided welcome relief to the league campaign, too, with the potential to upset Glasner's high-flying Wolves an exciting prospect for them on Wednesday.

Wolfsburg DFB-Pokal form: WW
Wolfsburg form (all competitions): LDDWWW

Schalke 04 DFB-Pokal form: WW
Schalke 04 form (all competitions): LWLLLD

Team News

Nabil Bentaleb celebrates scoring for Schalke 04 against Manchester City in the Champions League on February 20, 2019. © Reuters

Wolfsburg appear to have absolutely no injury or suspension issues to contend with on Wednesday, perhaps allowing Glasner a chance to rest certain key players.

Jerome Roussillon could come into the starting XI at left-back after a hard time with illness and injuries of late.

Schalke, meanwhile, will be without Fredrik Ronnow, Steven Skrzybski, Kilian Ludewig, Salif Sane and Goncalo Pacienca for the trip to Wolfsburg due to injury.

Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Nabil Bentaleb appears to remain persona non grata at the club after his disciplinary issues in November.

Wolfsburg possible starting lineup:
Casteels; Mbabu, Lacroix, Pongracic, Roussillon; Philipp, Guilavogui; Brekalo, Mehmedi, Baku; Bialek

Schalke 04 possible starting lineup:
Fahrmann; Becker, Thiaw, Nastasic, Kolasinac; Boujellab, Oczipka; Schopf, Uth, Harit; Huntelaar

SM words green background

We say: Wolfsburg 2-1 Schalke 04

We expect Wolfsburg to dispatch Schalke, but they may be pushed all of the way, particularly if Glasner does rest key players to focus on the league.

Should Wout Weghorst start, though, the in-form Dutch striker should have too much for Schalke's defence to handle.

Top betting tip

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