Borussia Mönchengladbach vs St. Pauli — Match Preview
The magic of the DFB-Pokal returns to Borussia-Park this Tuesday as Borussia Mönchengladbach host FC St. Pauli in the Round of 16. The “Foals” are in high spirits, currently unbeaten in their last four competitive matches and fresh off a disciplined 0-0 draw against RB Leipzig. Having already thrashed St. Pauli 4-0 in the league just a month ago, Gerardo Seoane’s men will feel confident of booking their ticket to the quarter-finals.
For St. Pauli, this cup tie offers a break from a grueling relegation battle. The “Kiezkicker” have lost three league games on the bounce, including a spirited but ultimately futile 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich on Saturday. However, cup football has its own rules, and after knocking out Hoffenheim in the last round, Alexander Blessin’s side will be desperate to avenge their recent league humiliation and spring a surprise in Mönchengladbach.
Borussia Mönchengladbach vs St. Pauli — Quick Match Info
- Fixture: Borussia Mönchengladbach vs St. Pauli
- Competition: DFB-Pokal (Round of 16)
- Venue: Borussia-Park, Mönchengladbach (Capacity: 54,042)
- Date: Tuesday, 02 December 2025
- Kickoff Time: 18:00 CET / 17:00 GMT / 22:30 IST
- Referee: TBC
- TV Channel (UK): Premier Sports
- TV Channel (USA): ESPN+
- TV Channel (India): Sony Sports Network
- Live Stream: ESPN+ (USA), SonyLIV / JioTV (India)
Borussia Mönchengladbach vs St. Pauli — Match Context (2025/26 Season)
Borussia Mönchengladbach:
- Position: Mid-table Bundesliga Stability.
- Form: Solid. They have found a defensive rhythm, keeping clean sheets in their last two games (3-0 vs Heidenheim, 0-0 vs Leipzig).
- Current Challenge: Rotation vs. Rhythm. With games coming thick and fast, Seoane must decide whether to stick with his winning XI or rotate slightly against a team they recently dominated.
St. Pauli:
- Position: Relegation Zone (Bundesliga).
- Form: Struggling. Since their cup win over Hoffenheim, they have lost four straight league games, conceding 8 goals in the process.
- Current Challenge: Psychological scars. Returning to the venue where they lost 4-0 just weeks ago is a massive mental hurdle for the players.
Borussia Mönchengladbach vs St. Pauli — What’s at Stake
For Borussia Mönchengladbach:
- A Path to Silverware: With Bayern and Leverkusen facing each other or tough opponents, the draw could open up. A quarter-final spot is a minimum expectation for a club of this stature playing at home.
For St. Pauli:
- Morale Boost: A cup run could be the spark they need to turn their league form around. Eliminating a Bundesliga rival away from home would be a massive statement.
Borussia Mönchengladbach vs St. Pauli — Team Form
Borussia Mönchengladbach (Last 5 Matches):
- D vs RB Leipzig (0-0)
- W vs Heidenheim (3-0)
- W vs K. Lierse S.K. (1-0 – Friendly)
- W vs FC Köln (3-1)
- W vs St. Pauli (4-0)
St. Pauli (Last 5 Matches):
- L vs Bayern Munich (1-3)
- L vs Union Berlin (0-1)
- L vs Freiburg (1-2)
- L vs Borussia Mönchengladbach (0-4)
- W vs Hoffenheim (3-2 AET – Cup)
Borussia Mönchengladbach vs St. Pauli — Team News
Borussia Mönchengladbach:
- Nathan Ngoumou: Out (Achilles Tendon Injury – A blow to their pace on the wing).
- Jonas Omlin: Out (Muscle Injury – Moritz Nicolas continues in goal).
- Fabio Chiarodia: Out (Thigh Injury).
- Philipp Sander: Out (Muscle Injury).
- Jens Castrop: Questionable (Injury – Picked up a knock recently).
- Key Man: Tim Kleindienst is in great form and expected to lead the line.
St. Pauli:
- David Nemeth: Out (Groin Injury).
- Andreas Hountondji: Questionable (Injury – A late fitness test will determine if the striker plays).
- Mathias Pereira Lage: Questionable (Injury – Missed training, likely benched).
- Elias Saad: Likely to step in if Hountondji cannot start.
- Jackson Irvine: The captain will need to rally his troops in midfield.
Borussia Mönchengladbach vs St. Pauli — Head to Head
- 01 Nov 2025: St. Pauli 0–4 B. Monchengladbach (Bundesliga)
- 06 Apr 2025: St. Pauli 1–1 B. Monchengladbach (Bundesliga)
- 24 Nov 2024: B. Monchengladbach 2–0 St. Pauli (Bundesliga)
- 14 Jan 2023: B. Monchengladbach 0–1 St. Pauli (Friendly)
- 24 Mar 2017: B. Monchengladbach 4–4 St. Pauli (Friendly)
Borussia Mönchengladbach vs St. Pauli — Predicted Lineups
Borussia Mönchengladbach (4-2-3-1):
Seoane likely sticks to the structure that beat St. Pauli recently, with Hack replacing the injured Ngoumou.
- GK: Moritz Nicolas
- RB: Joe Scally
- CB: Ko Itakura
- CB: Nico Elvedi
- LB: Luca Netz
- CDM: Julian Weigl (C)
- CDM: Rocco Reitz
- RW: Franck Honorat
- CAM: Kevin Stöger
- LW: Robin Hack
- ST: Tim Kleindienst
St. Pauli (3-4-3):
Blessin may revert to a more defensive back three to stop the bleeding.
- GK: Nikola Vasilj
- CB: Hauke Wahl
- CB: Eric Smith
- CB: Karol Mets
- RWB: Manolis Saliakas
- CM: Jackson Irvine (C)
- CM: Robert Wagner
- LWB: Philipp Treu
- RW: Oladapo Afolayan
- ST: Johannes Eggestein (Replacing Hountondji)
- LW: Morgan Guilavogui
Borussia Mönchengladbach vs St. Pauli — Impact Bench Options
Borussia Mönchengladbach:
- Alassane Pléa: If Mönchengladbach need a moment of magic, the Frenchman’s experience is invaluable off the bench.
- Tomáš Čvančara: A physical presence to close out the game or chase a goal.
St. Pauli:
- Danel Sinani: A creative spark who can deliver dangerous set-pieces if St. Pauli are chasing the game late on.
- Connor Metcalfe: Offers energy and drive in midfield if the captain Irvine tires.
Borussia Mönchengladbach vs St. Pauli — Tactical Outlook
Borussia Mönchengladbach:
- Playing Style: Vertical Control. Gladbach are excellent at transitioning from defense to attack quickly. Kevin Stöger is the architect, finding Kleindienst with precision passes. They will look to exploit St. Pauli’s high line, just as they did in the 4-0 win.
- Strength: Set Pieces. With Honorat’s delivery and Kleindienst’s height, they are deadly from corners.
St. Pauli:
- Playing Style: Intense Pressing (with risk). St. Pauli tries to disrupt opponents high up the pitch. However, against a team like Gladbach that bypasses the press well, this leaves their back three exposed. They may need to sit deeper and play on the counter to have a chance.
- Weakness: Defensive Fragility. They have conceded 8 goals in 3 games. Confidence at the back is low.
Borussia Mönchengladbach vs St. Pauli — Key Battles
| Matchup | Battle Type | Edge |
| Tim Kleindienst vs. Eric Smith | Aerial Dominance: Kleindienst destroyed St. Pauli last time. Smith must be physically stronger or risk another long night. | Gladbach |
| Kevin Stöger vs. Jackson Irvine | Midfield Chess: Stöger drifts into pockets of space. Irvine needs to track him relentlessly to stop Gladbach’s supply line. | Gladbach |
| Franck Honorat vs. Philipp Treu | Pace on the Wing: Honorat is one of the best crossers in the league. Treu needs support to stop the deliveries. | Gladbach |
Borussia Mönchengladbach vs St. Pauli — Spotlight Players
Tim Kleindienst (Borussia Mönchengladbach):
The target man is in the form of his life. His hold-up play allows Gladbach to get up the pitch, and he is lethal in the air. Having scored against St. Pauli recently, he will be psychologically dominant.
Nikola Vasilj (St. Pauli):
The goalkeeper is the busiest man in Hamburg right now. If St. Pauli are to pull off an upset, Vasilj needs to have a “10/10” performance and likely save a penalty or crucial 1v1s.
Borussia Mönchengladbach vs St. Pauli — Fan Reactions
Gladbach Fans:
“We beat them 4-0 a few weeks ago. Anything less than a comfortable win is a disappointment.”
“Cup nights at Borussia-Park are special. Let’s get to the quarters!”
St. Pauli Fans:
“We need a miracle after the last game against them. Maybe the cup magic will save us?”
“Just show some fight. The 0-4 was embarrassing.”
Borussia Mönchengladbach vs St. Pauli — Where to Watch
- Germany: Sky Sport, ARD/ZDF
- USA: ESPN+
- India: Sony Sports Network, SonyLIV
Borussia Mönchengladbach vs St. Pauli — Match-Defining Factors
- Psychological Edge: Gladbach know exactly how to beat this St. Pauli team. If they score early, St. Pauli could crumble.
- St. Pauli’s Approach: Will they be brave or cautious? If they open up, they will get punished. Parking the bus might be their only hope.
- Rotation: If Gladbach rotate too heavily, it could disrupt their rhythm and give St. Pauli a foothold.
Borussia Mönchengladbach vs St. Pauli — Prediction
Score Prediction: Borussia Mönchengladbach 3–1 St. Pauli
Betting Insights:
- Outcome: Gladbach to Win.
- Total Goals: Over 2.5 Goals (History and form suggest goals).
- First Goalscorer: Tim Kleindienst.
Analysis: St. Pauli are in a rut, and facing the team that recently humiliated them is the worst possible draw. Gladbach are confident, playing at home, and have a fully firing attack. While cup games can be unpredictable, the quality gap here—and the recent 4-0 result—points to a comfortable home victory.
Borussia Mönchengladbach vs St. Pauli — Final Word
Borussia Mönchengladbach are the overwhelming favorites to advance. St. Pauli have heart and a distinct identity, but their defensive leaks are too severe to trust against a Bundesliga attack in this kind of form. Expect the Foals to gallop into the quarter-finals with relative ease.
Borussia Mönchengladbach vs St. Pauli — FAQs
When is the Gladbach vs St. Pauli match?
The match kicks off on Tuesday, 02 December 2025, at 18:00 CET.
Is Nathan Ngoumou playing?
No, Nathan Ngoumou is out with an Achilles tendon injury.
Who won the last meeting?
Gladbach won 4-0 in the Bundesliga on November 1st, 2025.
Where can I watch in India?
You can watch the match on Sony Sports Network and SonyLIV.
Call to Action — SportsphereArena Community
Can St. Pauli exact revenge, or will Gladbach dominate again? Drop your predictions below!
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