Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the DFB-Pokal match.
Borussia Dortmund open their cup campaign away at Rot-Weiss Essen. The hosts already have two third-division matches under their belt, but Borussia simply cannot afford an early elimination at this stage.
Rot-Weiss Essen
Rot-Weiss Essen began pre-season back in late June, while Dortmund were still at the Club World Cup. They played eight friendlies, winning six, with the only notable opponents being Hibernian (2:3) and Augsburg (2:1 and 1:4). In the 3. Liga, they started with draws against 1860 Munich and Havelse (both 1:1), conceding eight shots on target across 180 minutes.
Borussia Dortmund
Two weekends ago, Dortmund staged an emotional farewell for Mats Hummels in a friendly against Juventus (1:2), giving the now-retired defender 20 minutes on the pitch. Despite the defeat, Niko Kovač’s substitutes livened things up, with Cole Campbell and Maximilian Beier combining for a late goal. The team closed last season on a high, stringing together 11 consecutive wins including the Club World Cup.
Rot-Weiss Essen vs Borussia Dortmund Prediction
The last official meeting between these sides was 17 years ago, when Borussia Dortmund won 3:1 in the first round of the DFB-Pokal. They should once again be far too strong, pulling away by at least two goals.
