Werder Bremen take on Greuther Furth in the third round of the DFB-Pokal on Tuesday.
There are only 11 places between these sides in the German football ladder in terms of league positons, with Furth flying high in the second tier this season.
Match preview
© Reuters
Bremen could have been competing against Furth this season had they failed to successively navigate their relegation playoff against Heidenheim last season, but instead Florian Kohfeldt's side look to be surviving relegation more comfortably this time around.
Bremen beat Hannover 96 comfortably by three goals to nil in the previous round, so Kohfeldt will feel confident his side can avoid another upset.
However, their spirits may have been dampened by only drawing against bottom of the table Schalke 04 on Saturday, with Kevin Mohwald's late equaliser at least avoiding the embarrassment of becoming the first side to lose at home to Schalke this season.
Only Bayern Munich have won this competition more times than Bremen's impressive tally of six DFB-Pokals, so with relegation an unlikely prospect this season, Kohfeldt may fancy a cup run to boost his credentials at the club.
Having finished ninth in the 2.Bundesliga last season, meanwhile, Furth currently lie just five points behind first-placed Hamburger SV in fourth position.
The club have not competed in the Bundesliga since finishing bottom in the 2012-13 campaign, so an unexpected return would be a major achievement for Stefan Leitl's established second tier outfit.
Furth overcame Hoffenheim away from home via a penalty shootout in the last round, so Letil will be cautiously optimistic of springing another upset on the road this season.
His side are averaging almost two goals per game in the league this season, with the likes of strikers Branimir Hrgota and Havard Nielsen capable of chipping in with goals.
Werder Bremen DFB-Pokal form: WW
Werder Bremen form (all competitions): LDWLWD
Greuther Furth DFB-Pokal form: WW
Greuther Furth form (all competitions): WLDDWW
Team News
© Reuters
Bremen are without strikers David Selke and Niclas Fullkrug due to injury, with Christian Gross and Patrik Erras also both unavailable for selection.
Kohfeldt may provide starts to the likes of Yuya Osako and Manchester United loanee Tahith Chong.
Furth will likely start with Nielsen and Hrgota in attack, with Letil generally switching between the 4-2-3-1 and 4-4-2 systems.
Sebastian Ernst may be selected in the number ten role behind the two strikers.
Werder Bremen possible starting lineup:
Pavlenka; Veljkovic, Toprak, Friedl; Chong, Mohwald, Moisander, Bittencourt, Augustinsson; Rashica, Osaka
Greuther Furth possible starting lineup:
Funk; Meyerhofer, Jackel, Mavraj, Raum; Stach, Seguin, Green, Ernst; Hrgota, Nielsen
We say: Werder Bremen 2-1 Greuther Furth
We can see Furth pushing Bremen all the way here, but the hosts' class should ultimately come through in the end.
It would be no surprise to see Furth causing another upset away to Bundesliga opposition, though, perhaps via a penalty shootout once again.
