Erzgebirge Aue
TSG Hoffenheim
>Erzgebirge Aue vs TSG Hoffenheim Prediction & Betting Tips – 22/08/2026
The DFB Pokal first round throws up its most lopsided fixture on 22 August when Erzgebirge Aue welcome TSG Hoffenheim to the Erzgebirgsstadion. A fourth-tier Regionalliga Nordost side hosting Bundesliga opposition is the very definition of cup romance, though Aue's Pokal pedigree offers little comfort; they have not cleared the opening hurdle since 2019-20. For Hoffenheim, this represents the first competitive outing of the new campaign, adding a layer of uncertainty to what looks a straightforward assignment on paper.
Match Analysis
TSG Hoffenheim enter as overwhelming favorites at 1.10, reflecting near-universal market consensus. Despite seven absentees including Kramaric and Geiger, the Bundesliga side retain Hlozek, Wimmer, and Daghim, a unit far superior to any fourth-tier opposition.
- Four-division gap between Bundesliga Hoffenheim and Regionalliga Nordost Aue is the largest possible in the DFB-Pokal.
- Hlozek, Wimmer, and Daghim lead a depth squad still packed with Bundesliga-quality attacking options.
- Hoffenheim's first competitive fixture of 2026-27 gives them strong motivation to avoid an embarrassing early exit.
- Aue have zero first-round progressions since 2019-20 and only one cup win in the last decade.
Erzgebirge Aue, relegated to the Regionalliga Nordost last season, qualified via the Saxony Cup. Priced at 15.00, they face a near-impossible task, despite being unbeaten in their last six home competitive matches at the Erzgebirgsstadion.
- Aue were relegated from the 3. Liga last season, finishing 18th, exposing a significant quality ceiling.
- Their sole cup win in 10 years underlines a chronic inability to convert home form into cup progress.
- A 3-1 defeat to Chemnitzer on August 15 showed vulnerability against organized, physical opponents.
Key point: With no totals data available, the double chance X2 covering Hoffenheim is reinforced by 1.10, but Aue's 12-game scoring streak makes a competitive scoreline worth monitoring.
Form & Statistics: Erzgebirge Aue vs TSG Hoffenheim
Erzgebirge Aue
Season statistics
TSG Hoffenheim
Recent form
Season statistics (5)
Lineups: Erzgebirge Aue vs TSG Hoffenheim
Erzgebirge Aue
Starters
- 1 Max Uhlig
- 2 Patrick Kapp
- 3 Stelios Kokovas
- 4 Bastian Strietzel
- 5 Maxim Burghardt
- 6 Devin Angleberger
- 7 Linus Queißer
- 8 Simon Skarlatidis
- 9 Nils Lihsek
- 10 Marcel Bär
- 11 T. Maciejewski
Absent
- Jamilu Collins (suspended)
- Erik Majetschak (injury)
- Jonas Kehl (injury)
- J. Kehl (Ankle Injury, expected out until 2026-08-30)
TSG Hoffenheim
Starters
- 1 Oliver Baumann
- 2 Vladimír Coufal
- 3 Robin Hranac
- 4 Albian Hajdari
- 5 Rots
- 6 Nathan De Cat
- 7 Leon Avdullahu
- 8 Patrick Wimmer
- 9 Bambase Conte
- 10 Adam Daghim
- 11 Adam Hlozek
Absent
- Grischa Prömel (injury)
- Tim Lemperle (suspended)
- Alexander Prass (injury)
- Ihlas Bebou (injury)
- Ozan Kabak (injury)
- Dennis Geiger (injury)
- Andrej Kramaric (injury)
- Koki Machida (injury)
Medium confidence
A mirror image of formations sets the stage here, with both sides lining up in a 4-2-3-1 as third-tier Erzgebirge Aue host Bundesliga opposition in the first round of the DFB Pokal. The tactical symmetry places the emphasis squarely on individual quality, and Adam Hlozek leading Hoffenheim's attack will test Aue's defensive resolve from the first whistle.
Hoffenheim's lineup carries the greater source confidence, confirmed just a day before kickoff via Sports Mole, while Aue's probable XI is drawn from a Forebet projection made five days out. Marcel Bär will be the focal point for the hosts as they look to cause an upset against significantly higher-ranked opposition.
Our Verdict
Hoffenheim at 1.10 is the clear selection here. A Regionalliga side with a fundamentally rebuilt squad, carrying 23 departures and only five holdovers, faces a Bundesliga outfit whose pre-season produced five straight wins and a recent draw with Tottenham. Aue's cup pedigree offers no comfort either, with just one victory in ten years of DFB Pokal action. The over 2.5 goals market at N/A also appeals, given Aue have scored in twelve consecutive matches but lack the defensive quality to contain top-flight attackers. Odds correct at time of publication.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best bet for Erzgebirge Aue vs TSG Hoffenheim?
The standout selection here is a Hoffenheim away win, available at 1.10. The gulf between a fourth-tier Regionalliga Nordost side and a Bundesliga outfit is simply too vast to ignore. Aue have not progressed past the DFB-Pokal first round since 2019-20, and with Hlozek, Wimmer, and Daghim available, Hoffenheim carry far too much quality for the hosts.
What time does Erzgebirge Aue vs TSG Hoffenheim kick off?
This DFB-Pokal first-round fixture kicks off at 13:30 UTC on Saturday, 22nd August 2026. The match takes place at the Erzgebirgsstadion in Aue, where the fourth-tier hosts will be backed by their own supporters, having gone unbeaten in their last six competitive home matches at that ground.
Where can I watch Erzgebirge Aue vs TSG Hoffenheim on TV?
Broadcast arrangements for this DFB-Pokal first-round tie have not been confirmed in our available data. Supporters are advised to check with their domestic broadcasters or streaming platforms that hold DFB-Pokal rights in their respective territories, as coverage details are typically announced closer to the scheduled kickoff.
What is Erzgebirge Aue's recent record against TSG Hoffenheim?
Reliable head-to-head data between Erzgebirge Aue and TSG Hoffenheim is not available in our current records. The two sides have rarely met in recent seasons, largely owing to Aue's decline through the divisions. Their respective league standings, separated by three tiers, underline just how infrequently these clubs have crossed paths competitively.