Rot-Weiss Essen
St. Pauli
Rot-Weiss Essen vs St. Pauli Predictions, Picks & Odds – 23/08/2026
Rot-Weiss Essen vs St. Pauli – Best bets of the match
· Confidence Medium
Rot-Weiss Essen vs St. Pauli Preview
Rot-Weiss Essen head into this DFB Pokal first-round clash brimming with confidence from a strong 2025/26 campaign. Uwe Koschinat's side finished third in the 3. Liga and contested a promotion/relegation play-off, underlining their upward trajectory. Their home record at Stadion Essen is formidable: just one defeat in their last twelve matches on home soil. A 4-2-3-1 shape is expected, and the atmosphere should give them a genuine edge.
St. Pauli arrive in dire form, winless across their last twelve competitive fixtures. Relegation from the Bundesliga triggered a managerial change, with Marcel Rapp now tasked with rebuilding a squad that has undergone extensive turnover. New signings need time to gel, and a 3-4-1-2 system suggests Rapp wants defensive solidity first. This cup tie represents an early, uncomfortable examination of a project still very much in its infancy.
Rot-Weiss Essen's home record is the cornerstone of this selection. Having lost just once in their last 12 matches at Stadion Essen, with an average of 1.97 goals per game on home soil, they carry genuine threat. The double chance covering a home win or draw at 3.00 reflects that defensive solidity and attacking output in front of their own supporters.
St. Pauli's form paints a bleak picture. Four defeats and a draw across their last five competitive outings, part of a broader 12-match winless streak, suggests a squad still reeling from relegation. A managerial change, wholesale squad turnover, and a new tactical system under Marcel Rapp's 3-4-1-2 all point to a side in transition rather than one ready to impose itself away from home.
Cup football rewards intensity and organisation, two qualities Rot-Weiss Essen have demonstrated consistently at Stadion Essen. Uwe Koschinat's likely 4-2-3-1 setup gives them width and pressing options against a reshuffled St. Pauli backline still finding its feet. Backing the hosts to avoid defeat here, with the draw at 3.60 providing additional cover, looks a well-founded position given the contrasting trajectories of these two sides.
Trends to Know about Rot-Weiss Essen vs St. Pauli
- Essen unbeaten in 92% of home matches
- St. Pauli winless in twelve consecutive games
- Relegated visitors rebuilding under new manager
Form & Statistics: Rot-Weiss Essen vs St. Pauli
Rot-Weiss Essen
Season statistics
St. Pauli
Recent form
Season statistics (5)
Lineups: Rot-Weiss Essen vs St. Pauli
Rot-Weiss Essen
Starters
- 1 Jakob Golz
- 2 RB Name
- 3 CB Name
- 4 CB Name
- 5 LB Name
- 6 CM Name
- 7 CM Name
- 8 CAM Name
- 9 RW Name
- 10 ST Name
- 11 LW Name
Absent
- Dominik Martinovic (injury)
- Torben Müsel (injury)
- Matías Biscay (injury)
- Jannik Mause (injury)
- Manuel Wintzheimer (injury)
- Lucas Brumme (injury)
St. Pauli
Starters
- 1 Ben Voll
- 2 David Nemeth
- 3 Marcus Mathisen
- 4 Tomoya Ando
- 5 Arkadiusz Pyrka
- 6 Mathias Rasmussen
- 7 Joel Chima Fujita
- 8 Louis Oppie
- 9 Branimir Hrgota
- 10 Martijn Kaars
- 11 Taichi Hara
Bench
- Lars Ritzka
- Erik Ahlstrand
Absent
- James Sands (injury)
- Christopher Avevor (injury)
- Abdoulie Ceesay (injury)
- Connor Metcalfe (injury)
- Gísli Thórdarson (injury)
- Mathias Pereira Lage (injury)
Low confidence
St. Pauli arrive at this DFB-Pokal first-round tie with a well-sourced 3-4-1-2, Branimir Hrgota operating behind the twin strike partnership of Martijn Kaars and Taichi Hara. Rot-Weiss Essen's 4-2-3-1 shape, by contrast, comes from a single speculative source, so treat that structure with some caution ahead of kickoff.
The tactical contrast is intriguing on paper: St. Pauli's wing-backs will be central to stretching a four-man Essen defence, while the hosts' double pivot must cope with the movement of Hrgota in the hole. The confidence gap in lineup information slightly favours the Bundesliga visitors heading into this cup encounter.
How to Watch Rot-Weiss Essen vs St. Pauli Match?
What time is Rot-Weiss Essen vs St. Pauli?
Rot-Weiss Essen host St. Pauli at Stadion Essen on 23 August 2026, with kickoff scheduled for 17:00 local time.
Where is Rot-Weiss Essen vs St. Pauli being played?
This DFB Pokal first-round fixture takes place at Stadion Essen, home ground of Rot-Weiss Essen.
How Can I Watch Rot-Weiss Essen vs St. Pauli on TV and Live Stream?
Check local listings for DFB Pokal coverage; streaming availability varies by region and broadcaster agreements.