St. Pauli came extremely close to ending their painful losing run at the weekend, holding Bayern Munich until the final minutes before collapsing again. Despite the defeat, the performance hinted at improvement and offered at least a small psychological lift before this German Cup clash. Now they travel to face a rejuvenated Borussia Mönchengladbach in a match that arrives at a crucial moment for both clubs.
The hosts have risen
Borussia Mönchengladbach have undergone a clear transformation following the coaching change. Their draw against RB Leipzig a few days ago is another sign that the team has stabilised and is beginning to show a more confident and structured approach. At home, Gladbach look increasingly capable of dictating the rhythm, but the Cup often brings unpredictability - and this is the type of match where a slight drop in focus can be costly.
St. Pauli must break the cycle
Despite their long streak of defeats, St. Pauli are not playing as poorly as the results suggest. In many matches they stay competitive, but one moment of hesitation tends to undo their efforts. The Cup presents a slightly different psychological environment, and this may be exactly what the team needs - a setting where the pressure of the league table is removed and the players can free themselves mentally. Their performance in Munich showed that they are not far from turning the page.
Prediction: Double chance 1X
Gladbach are the better-performing side, but the Cup often invites surprises, and St. Pauli’s improvement cannot be ignored. The visitors are due for a positive result, and this matchup offers a realistic chance for them to avoid defeat. Coupled with the hosts' occasional inconsistency, the safer and more logical angle is to protect both outcomes in favour of Borussia. Prediction: Double chance 1X.
