Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the DFB-Pokal match.
On paper, Bayer Leverkusen couldn’t have asked for a kinder draw. While Stuttgart and Leipzig battle it out in the other semi-final, they travel to face third-tier Arminia Bielefeld — a club that’s only recently started to recover from a dramatic fall through the divisions.
Arminia Bielefeld
Arminia Bielefeld’s descent was rapid: relegated from the Bundesliga in 2021/22, they slipped straight through the second division and flirted with losing professional status altogether. But under young manager Michél Kniat, the club has stabilised. Now fighting for promotion from the 3. Liga, they’ve also reached their first German Cup semi-final since 2014/15 — a remarkable achievement for a side that hadn’t been past the second round in the last seven years. Along the way, they’ve stunned top-flight opponents including Union Berlin, Freiburg, and Werder Bremen.
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen, meanwhile, may ultimately fall short in the Bundesliga title race, but there’s no doubt they remain one of the best sides in Germany. Their own cup run has included a narrow win over Bayern Munich — helped by a red card to Manuel Neuer and a second-half winner. It was their only match against Bundesliga opposition, and arguably more demanding than anything Arminia have faced.
Arminia Bielefeld vs Bayer Leverkusen Prediction
Still, Bayer Leverkusen arrive with several injuries, including star man Florian Wirtz, who may feature but is unlikely to be risked if not fully fit. That said, even a rotated Leverkusen line-up should have the quality to get the job done. Notably, however, they’ve only once won by more than a single goal in this cup run. This may not be a rout — and Arminia's resilience, backed by home support, could keep the margin manageable.
