Energie Cottbus vs Werder Bremen prediction 19.08.2024 | DFB Pokal

• Competition: DFB Pokal, 1/32 Finals
• Date: Monday, 19th August, 2024
• Kickoff: 17:00 UK / 18:00 CEST
• Venue: Stadion der Freundschaft (Cottbus)

A few days before the start of the German Bundesliga, a third-tier team, Energie Cottbus, will welcome Bundesliga side Werder Bremen in the 1/32 DFB Pokal at Stadion der Freundschaft in Cottbus.

For two consecutive years, Energie Cottbus won their Regionalliga Northeast. However, in 2022/23, they had to go through the Playoffs to secure 3. Liga but lost to Unterhaching. Last year, they once again won their league, and since they did not have to play in the Playoffs this year, they automatically earned a place in 3. Liga. Now, this season, their only goal is to secure survival, a task they failed to fulfill last time they were in 3. Liga (in 2018/19 season). Unfortunately for them, the season began with two losses, and it seems they failed to improve the squad for this level of competition.

Werder Bremen were either in the middle or lower part of the league's table in the previous decade. They even spent one year in Bundesliga 2 (in 2021/22) but secured an instant return. Last year, they finished ninth, on a level with points with Heidenheim. Unfortunately, Werder Bremen failed to reach Europe as they had a slightly worse goal difference. The last time they secured Europe was back in the 2006/07 season, so their primary goal for this year has to be to finally appear in Europe.

Energie Cottbus vs Werder Bremen pick: Werder Bremen to win and cover the -1 AH spread

Energie Cottbus started the season terribly, with two losses in the first two games and six conceded goals. Those losses came against good teams, Arminia Bielefeld and SG Dynamo Dresden, but a game against Werder will surely not be any easier. However, we are not surprised with those losses because they lost some good players, and this roster may be even slightly worse compared to last year's.

Werder Bremen had a mediocre last season, but in the last part of the season, we definitely saw some positives as they ended the season on a five-game unbeaten run. In the pre-season, they weren't great, with two wins, two draws, and two losses. However, most of those games were against solid teams. Additionally, this team suffered no changes and if they were able to be in the middle of the Bundesliga last year, we do not doubt they can deal with a third-tier team in the Cup.

Simply, Werder Bremen should be too good for Energie Cottbus, and considering all the above, anything but a big win for them would surprise us.