Wurzburger vs. Hoffenheim (Friday, 5.00pm)
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Bundesliga side Hoffenheim will kick off the 2024-25 campaign when they face Wurzburger Kickers in Friday's DFB-Pokal clash.
The fourth-tier hosts will be looking to pull off a major upset as they make their first Pokal appearance since 2021-22.
We say: Wurzburger Kickers 1-3 Hoffenheim
Wurzburger Kickers will be dreaming of pulling off a major upset, but we think Hoffenheim will showcase their Bundesliga quality to crush the home side's cup hopes with a comfortable away victory.
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Wiesbaden vs. Mainz (Friday, 5.00pm)
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The DFB-Pokal gets underway on Friday, with Bundesliga side Mainz 05 making the short journey north of the Rhine River to play 3. Liga's Wehen Wiesbaden at the BRITA-Arena.
The two neighbouring cities have a friendly rivalry off the pitch, and on the pitch the two sides have only met on five previous occasions this century.
We say: Wehen Wiesbaden 1-3 Mainz 05
Despite Wiesbaden making an unbeaten and promising start to the season, Mainz have been in superb form in front of goal in pre-season and we expect that to continue in their opening game as they look to build early momentum on Friday evening.
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Hallescher vs. St Pauli (Friday, 5.00pm)
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Fourth-tier Hallescher and Bundesliga side St Pauli will go head-to-head in Friday's DFB-Pokal clash at Leuna Chemie Stadion.
St Pauli will be keen to avoid any potential upset as they look to build confidence ahead of their first top-flight campaign since 2010-11.
We say: Hallescher 0-2 St Pauli
St Pauli head into Friday's fixture off the back of three consecutive friendly victories, and we think they will continue to build momentum by claiming a relatively comfortable victory in the first round of the Pokal.
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Ulm vs. Bayern (Friday, 7.45pm)
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The 2024-25 DFB-Pokal kicks off with SSV Ulm keen to cause a major upset in Friday's first-round match at Donaustadion.
Ulm's winless league start means they are not fancied to rain on Vincent Kompany's parade as he makes his competitive Bayern Munich bow in Baden-Wurttemberg.
We say: SSV Ulm 1-3 Bayern Munich
Despite the dearth of clean sheets and lack of competitive action for Bayern, Kompany's men should secure a place in the second round on their return to the competition since their shock loss to Saarbrucken last November.
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Oliver Thomas
