There’s always a certain gravitas when a storied Bundesliga side meets an ambitious challenger in a domestic cup. Borussia-Park sets the scene for a DFB Pokal Round 3 clash that finds B. Monchengladbach in a dominant vein of form, while St. Pauli arrive desperately seeking to halt a worrying losing streak. What elevates the intrigue is the recent Bundesliga meeting between these sides, which Monchengladbach won emphatically – and now, the stakes couldn’t be higher with cup progression on the line.
Eyes naturally drift toward Gladbach’s Haris Tabakovic, the clinical Swiss forward who’s scored six goals in his last five. Partnered by the creative force of Franck Honorat, who has contributed four assists in the same spell, Gladbach’s attack looks potent. For St. Pauli, captain Eric Smith will be pivotal in anchoring the back line, while Andréas Hountondji’s industry up front could prove disruptive if he finds service.
The standout “hot stat” is stark: Gladbach have netted 14 goals and conceded just twice across their last five, while St. Pauli, with only 2 goals and 12 yellows in their last five, are searching for answers at both ends.
| 🏆 Tournament: | DFB Pokal 2025/26 (Round 3) |
| 🏟 Venue: | Borussia-Park, Monchengladbach |
| 🗓️ Date: | 02.12.2025 |
| ⏰ Time: | 19:00 CEST |
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B. Monchengladbach vs St. Pauli prediction
Given Gladbach’s imperious form – undefeated in five with an 80% win rate – and their ability to consistently find goals from multiple sources, the hosts are deserved favorites. St. Pauli’s 0% win rate in their last four and a combined 12 yellow cards point to a lack of discipline perhaps born out of frustration, and this could be their undoing at Borussia-Park.
Gladbach’s possession-based 3-4-2-1 is built on ball circulation and quick transitions, reflected in high pass numbers and accuracy (2224 passes, 1885 completed, 84.8%). St. Pauli, while attempting a similar tactical framework, have struggled to maintain the same ball retention (2372 passes, 1918 completed, 80.9%) and have been far more combative, committing 52 fouls in five games. This physical edge tends to disrupt their own rhythm rather than that of their opponents, risking set-piece exposure and potential suspensions through cards.
With one team soaring and the other scrambling, the gap in confidence and execution suggests Gladbach should dictate the tempo and capitalize on St. Pauli’s current woes. The best value looks to be on Monchengladbach -1 Asian Handicap, adding a margin of safety for a home win by more than a goal.
| 🔥Hot Tip: | Monchengladbach -1 Asian Handicap |
| ⚽Total Goals: | Over 2.5 |
| 💥Both Teams To Score: | No |
| 🎯Total Corners: | Over 8.5 |
Team Analysis
B. Monchengladbach have been relentless, notching up results with tactical clarity and efficient finishing. Their last match, a 0-0 draw versus high-flying RB Leipzig, showcased defensive fortitude – holding Leipzig, who boast relentless attacking quality, scoreless. Prior to that, Gladbach flexed their offensive muscle with wins over Heidenheim (3-0), Lierse (1-0), and city rivals Köln (3-1), racking up a combined 7-1 scoreline in those meetings. The recent 4-0 dismantling of St. Pauli in the league is fresh in memory, offering a clear psychological boost ahead of this rematch.
By contrast, St. Pauli’s recent run reads like a catalogue of missed opportunities and defensive mishaps. Their most recent outing – a 1-3 home defeat to Bayern Munich – summed up the gulf between ambition and reality. Prior losses to Union Berlin (0-1) and Freiburg (1-2) highlight an inability to convert possession into tangible threat, with the side’s only two goals in five coming from unstructured phases rather than coherent build-up play. The 0-4 league defeat to Gladbach will still sting, particularly as it exposed St. Pauli’s fragile midfield and their vulnerability down the flanks.
Most recent Head-to-Head Matches
| Statistic | B. Monchengladbach | St. Pauli |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 2 | 0 |
| Total shots | 12 | 8 |
| Free kicks | 9 | 17 |
| Corner kicks | 5 | 5 |
| Total fouls | 10 | 16 |
| Pass accuracy (%) | 83 | 77 |
| Interceptions | 11 | 15 |
| Offsides | 1 | 2 |
🚨Read our full B. Monchengladbach vs St. Pauli stats for more analysis.
Pre-game odds and win probability: B. Monchengladbach the favourite
- Moneyline B. Monchengladbach 1.84 | St. Pauli 4.20
- Draw 3.70
- Over/Under Over 2.5 1.85 | Under 2.5 2.00
- BTTS (both teams to score) Yes 2.13 | No 1.67
The odds solidly favor Gladbach: a win probability hovering above 50% is justified by their current momentum and head-to-head supremacy. St. Pauli are long shots at over 4.0 odds, underlining their recent struggles and Gladbach’s home advantage. The bookies see goals expected (over 2.5 at 1.85), but their faith in St. Pauli scoring is limited, with the ‘No BTTS’ market tightening as well. With Gladbach’s recent shutouts and St. Pauli’s lack of firepower, it’s difficult to argue against the hosts’ status as favorites.
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Possible Starting Lineups
B. Monchengladbach possible starting eleven
- GK: Moritz Nicolas
- DF: Nico Elvedi, Joe Scally, Kevin Diks
- MF: Florian Neuhaus, Rocco Reitz, Yannick Engelhardt, Luca Netz
- FW: Franck Honorat, Haris Tabakovic, Shuto Machino
Gladbach are likely to continue in their familiar 3-4-2-1, built around the burgeoning partnership of Tabakovic (six goals in five) and Honorat (four assists). Nicolas, now first-choice goalkeeper, has been a steady presence. Young talents like Netz and Engelhardt offer dynamism in midfield, while Diks’ recent attacking output (two goals) brings extra threat from the back three. Keep an eye on Tabakovic for decisive moments in and around the box.
St. Pauli possible starting eleven

- GK: Nikola Vasilj
- DF: Eric Smith, Hauke Wahl, Karol Mets
- MF: Conor Metcalfe, James Sands, Joel Chima Fujita, Louis Oppie
- FW: Danel Sinani, Mathias Pereira Lage, Andréas Hountondji
St. Pauli’s own 3-4-2-1 will likely be shaped by the physical presence of Vasilj in goal and a defensive trio led by experienced Eric Smith. Chima Fujita and Sands will battle for midfield control, but creative spark has been lacking in recent weeks. Up front, the versatile Sinani will look to link play, hoping that Hountondji’s energy can create openings on the break. With suspensions and form both an issue, Blessin may need to inject fresh legs late on if the match slips away.
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St. Pauli. Source: Official Website
My take on the Match
This fixture sets up as a statement game for Gladbach. Their form, firepower, and home advantage are overwhelming factors. St. Pauli will battle, but the numbers are stacked against them: defensive vulnerabilities, a raft of cautions, and a blunt attack all signal trouble. My pick is a confident home win for Gladbach by two goals or more, driven by Tabakovic up front and a team structure that looks both settled and inspired. The DFB Pokal often delivers upsets, but on all available evidence, this does not appear the place for one. Expect Gladbach to reinforce their cup ambitions, and for St. Pauli to regroup for league business.