More markets for the DFB-Pokal game, scheduled for August 22 at 9:30 AM ET.
Nürnberg enters the DFB-Pokal first-round tie as the clear favorite due to its 2. Bundesliga status against 3. Liga side Viktoria Köln, though the lower-league host at Sportpark Höhenberg can create upset risk in single-elimination format. The visitors finished eighth in the second tier last season under Miroslav Klose and arrive with greater squad depth, higher average player quality, and stronger recent pre-season results. Viktoria Köln, which placed eleventh in the third tier, benefits from home support and the motivation of a potential giant-killing, mirroring their competitive 2016 cup encounter that went to penalties. With the new 2026-27 campaign just underway, fresh legs and limited early-season data heighten the importance of confirmed lineups, travel factors for Nürnberg, and any last-minute absences. Trader consensus reflects the division gap while pricing in the inherent variability of cup fixtures.