Prediction Schweinfurt vs Fortuna Düsseldorf 2025/2026 – Betting Tips for the DFB Pokal on 18/08/2025

Setting the scene in Schweinfurt

The DFB Pokal curtain-raiser in Schweinfurt promises to be a clash of contrasts as hosts Schweinfurt prepare to welcome Fortuna Düsseldorf to the Willy-Sachs-Stadion on 18/08/2025. The venue, tucked away on Anderl Kupfer Platz 2 and holding 16,500, will be the backdrop for a first-round tie overseen by referee Timo Gerach. For the home faithful it is a chance to dream of a cup upset, but the formlines and the bookmakers’ numbers set a clear narrative heading into kick-off.

Form, recent results and momentum

Schweinfurt arrive with mixed signals. Their recent run reads as a string of setbacks punctuated by a couple of bright moments: defeats to Viktoria Köln and Energie Cottbus sandwich a notable away victory at Nürnberg in mid-July. The overall snapshot across the last ten matches is a record heavy on losses, and the club’s own form summary shows three wins, one draw and six defeats. That inconsistency will worry their supporters despite the advantage of home turf.

Fortuna Düsseldorf, meanwhile, come into the tie as clear favourites according to the market. Their preseason and early competitive matches have been troubling results-wise — heavy scorelines against Magdeburg, Arminia Bielefeld and Hannover 96 in their most recent outing — yet the betting public still places faith in their quality. The away side’s recent ten-game ledger records two wins, three draws and five losses, evidence of a team that can be cut open but which still carries enough pedigree to be expected to progress in the cup.

The previous-match snapshots add context: Jakob Tranziska stood out for Schweinfurt in their loss to Energie Cottbus, earning the best-player tag with a 6.5 rating, while Fortuna’s most recent outing saw Moritz Heyer pick up a 7.04 rating despite a 0-2 defeat to Hannover. Those individual positives temper the otherwise gloomy team results.

Odds tell their own story. A Fortuna win is priced at 1.55 with an implied probability of roughly 64.5%, a draw sits at 4.10, and a home victory is a long shot at 5.25. The market’s emphasis on the away side will shape expectations and, in all likelihood, team selection and approach from both managers as they balance league starts and cup ambition.

What to expect and a final read

Expect Fortuna to control large phases, using experience to manage the game and force Schweinfurt into mistakes. The hosts will look to capitalize on set-piece moments and the energy of their supporters, but the consistency required to overturn the market odds hasn’t been apparent in recent weeks. Cup football always carries the potential for surprises, yet the smart money — reflected in the odds and the wider form picture — points toward an away victory.

Betting suggestion: 1X2 — Fortuna Düsseldorf to win (odds 1.55). The recommendation follows the market probability and Fortuna’s relative experience despite recent setbacks; the away side look the most reliable option to progress from this first-round DFB Pokal tie.