- SV Waldhof 07 Mannheim have a steady recent form, winning 2-1 against TSV Fortuna Dusseldorf and drawing 3-3 with FC Hansa Rostock in their latest two.
- FC Kaiserslautern are unbeaten in their last two matches, drawing 0-0 away to VfL Wolfsburg and at home to Karlsruher SC.
- Kaiserslautern's all-competitions form is four wins, two draws and four defeats in their last ten.
A cup thriller could be on the cards
The derby atmosphere for the DFB-Pokal first round game between 3. Liga SV Waldhof 07 Mannheim and 2. Bundesliga FC Kaiserslautern could see an upset on the cards for the hosts, but the form and quality of Die roten Teufel makes them the most likely victors on the day.
The hosts have been in steady, rather than sizzling, form over the last five games, recording a 2-1 win at home to TSV Fortuna Dusseldorf and following it up with a 3-3 draw away to FC Hansa Rostock, and they look likely to keep this cup tie close for the 90 minutes.
Waldhof have won two, drawn one and lost two of their five home matches in all competitions this season, scoring 1.20 goals and conceding 1.60 per 90 minutes, while Kaiserslautern have won two, drawn one and lost three of their six away games.
Waldhöfer have a potent player in their ranks
Rui Mota has brought a possession-heavy, controlled build-up game on his Waldhof side, in which the ball is circulated patiently and compact lines are maintained with selective pressing. The visitors are more of a pragmatic outfit under Torsten Lieberknecht, whose men use their physicality and intensity to win duels, using vertical transitions and tactical flexibility. Julian Ulbricht has been Waldhof's most potent player so far, scoring two of their six goals in the last five. Likewise, Marlon Ritter has been the livewire for Kaiserslautern with two goals in five, but they have been less clinical in general. Kaiserslautern have the better quality and form in general but Waldhof have a bite to them at home and we feel that the derby flavour of this cup clash could make for a very tight affair, so we're taking Over 2.5 goals at 1/2 and Both Teams To Score - Yes at 21/50, while Kaiserslautern should come through 21/20 with Waldhof 99/50 and the draw 11/4.
