Union Berlin Look to Extend Dominance Over Köln in DFB Pokal Clash

Köln vs Union Berlin - 10/27/2026

10/27/2026 82

The DFB Pokal second round fixture between Köln and Union Berlin promises a closely contested encounter at the RheinEnergieStadion, filled with tactical intrigue and the weight of historical trends. René Wagner’s side will aim to turn the tide on a challenging home record versus Mauro Lustrinelli’s Berliners, while Union seek to affirm their recent form with the cup run gaining momentum.

Both teams progressed into the second round with convincing away victories, Köln dispatching Würzburger Kickers 2-1, and Union Berlin netting four in a more chaotic 4-2 against Braunschweig. There, Köln controlled proceedings with 65% possession, 14 shots, and delivered impressive passing accuracy, highlighting both technical discipline and a steady attacking supply, with Ísak Jóhannesson grabbing a brace.

Union Berlin approached their own cup tie differently, yielding possession but countering with clinical finishing – nine shots on target and four goals from 17 overall attempts, as Tom Rothe and Marin Ljubicic both got on the scoresheet. Despite being out-passed and out-possessed, their efficiency inside the box proved decisive, which may inform Lustrinelli’s tactical thinking for this fixture.

Looking at recent head-to-head meetings, Köln have struggled to turn home advantage into consistent results. Across the last seven home matches against Union Berlin, Köln have only one win, drawing two and losing four. More tellingly, Union have taken full points in three of their last five trips to the RheinEnergieStadion.

Trend analysis reinforces this. Köln have lost six of their last twelve in all competitions, scoring 1.25 while conceding two goals per match, and have failed to win in five of their last six. At home against Union Berlin, defensive lapses have often been costly. However, in the DFB Pokal specifically, there’s a ray of positivity: they have kept a clean sheet in 50% of their last six at home, and haven’t been defeated in five league cup home games running.

Union Berlin, meanwhile, come into this tie with greater scoring form in the league cup but have general consistency issues on the road. Across their last 15 away matches in all competitions, they have eight losses, conceding 2.27 per game. Their overall win rate in the last twelve DFB Pokal fixtures is a solid 50%, but they’ve failed to win in 86% (six out of seven) of their recent matches in all competitions.

On the bright side, Union have not lost in their last three outings, signaling a possible upswing. In DFB Pokal away environments, they average 1.83 goals but also tend to concede, suggesting the match could well see goals for both sides.

Squad selection will be influenced by several key absences. For Köln, lengthy list of sidelined includes Hübers, Dallinga, Ache, Van den Berg, Skhiri, and Rondic. On the Union Berlin side, Ilic, Nsoki, Markgraf, and Imeri will miss out, with Imeri’s absence altering their midfield composition.

Taking into account recent matches and form, likely choices for each coach can be projected based on line-up regularity and unavailability.

Köln probable lineup:

Goalkeeper: Marvin Schwäbe

Defenders: Borna Sosa, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, Luka Lochoshvili, Sebastian Sebulonsen

Midfielders: Ísak Jóhannesson, Tom Krauß, Linton Maina, Mikey Moore, Saïd El Mala

Attackers: Marius Bülter

Union Berlin probable lineup:

Goalkeeper: Frederik Rönnow

Defenders: Felix Uduokhai, Zeno Van Den Bosch, Tom Rothe, Janik Haberer

Midfielders: Rani Khedira, Woo-yeong Jeong, András Schäfer, Michel Aebischer

Attackers: Tim Skarke, Livan Burcu

The statistical forecast projects a Union Berlin win with a 38% probability, with the model suggesting a 2-1 score in their favor. While Union’s away defense could be a vulnerability, recent direct meetings and a sharper attack edge give the Berliners the nod to reach the DFB Pokal’s next round. Köln’s resilience at home in cup action, however, means they may not go quietly in front of their own goalposts.

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Away team

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DFB

Köln Union Berlin 27/10/2026 20:45

323038

21-2

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3.45

63°F

+333

-125 +260 +333 no no no

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