Bayer vs St. Pauli: prediction, head-to-head and probable line-ups – 3 February 2026
One of the DFB-Pokal quarter-final clashes will take place on Tuesday at the BayArena in Leverkusen, where the local side Bayer will host St. Pauli. I suggest a bet on the outcome of this encounter, which offers solid chances for success.
Match preview
Bayer began 2026 with a worrying run of three straight defeats but quickly bounced back, beating Werder, thrashing Villarreal, and confidently overcoming Eintracht. Their attacking machine is firing again, especially at home in the cup – averaging three goals per game. The DFB-Pokal remains one of the main objectives for the season, and the hosts’ motivation is sky-high.
Nevertheless, squad issues persist – Tella and Flekken are out, Maza isn't fully fit, and Bade is a doubt. This forces coach Juhlmann to rotate actively amid a congested fixture list. Even so, Bayer look balanced and approach the match as clear favourites, especially considering their home record against St. Pauli.
St. Pauli were a pleasant surprise in the previous cup rounds, but since December, they haven’t tasted victory – managing just three points from six Bundesliga matches. Most of those losses were by the narrowest of margins, showing the team continues to battle and show character despite their league struggles. The cup win over Gladbach is proof the visitors won’t throw in the towel easily.
The Pirates are also dealing with injuries throughout the squad, and Hauke Finn could miss this match as well. That complicates their task against an opponent St. Pauli haven’t beaten in Leverkusen for nearly 50 years. However, the DFB-Pokal has seen its share of surprises – St. Pauli will aim for maximum discipline and to seize whatever chances come their way.
Probable line-ups
- Bayer: Blaswich, Tapsoba, Andrich, Quansah, Garcia, Fernandez, Grimaldo, Poku, Terrier, Hofmann, Schick
- St. Pauli: Vasilj, Mets, Ando, Smith, Tima Fujita, Sands, Pyrka, Oppi, Irvine, Kaars, Pereira Lage
Match facts and head-to-head
- Bayer have won seven of their last eight DFB-Pokal home matches.
- St. Pauli haven’t beaten Bayer in Leverkusen since 1976.
- Both teams have scored in seven of their last nine meetings.
Prediction
Bayer are back in their groove, and despite a tight schedule and rotation, they’re scoring regularly and looking sharp up front. The cup is a real chance for silverware, and at this stage, the hosts are unlikely to switch off. St. Pauli fight hard every game, but their resources are limited and history in Leverkusen is not on their side. Expect a confident, but not overwhelming, win for the favourites.
