2. Bundesliga preview: Hertha BSC vs. 1. FC Kaiserslautern
| Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images |
Two traditional clubs meet in what promises to be another fiery 2. Bundesliga encounter in the capital. Hertha remain firmly in the promotion race, while Kaiserslautern arrive eager for revenge after losing both previous meetings between the sides this season.
After a disastrous start to 2026 - winning just one of their first six matches and slipping out of the promotion picture - Hertha have rediscovered their rhythm. The Berliners are now unbeaten in their last five games, collecting four victories during that stretch to quietly move back into the chasing pack. They currently sit sixth, five points adrift of the promotion playoff spot.
Last time out, Hertha emerged victorious from a chaotic evening away to Dynamo Dresden. Following early crowd trouble and a lengthy delay, the match eventually resumed and produced plenty of drama. A red card for Josip Brekalo and a missed penalty from Vincent Vermeij for Dresden preceded the decisive moment, as Marten Winkler struck in the 80th minute to seal a hard-fought 1-0 win for ten-man Hertha.
Head coach Stefan Leitl is expecting another difficult challenge this weekend:
“…this team can be very difficult to play against; they play well-structured football and defend with great discipline. We'll see if Kaiserslautern maintains their pattern of very intense man-marking across the entire pitch. For us, it will be crucial to stay focused and further refine our automatic movements. After the two away wins, we naturally want to win this home game as well,”
Meanwhile, Kaiserslautern arrive in Berlin with somewhat inconsistent form. Their last six matches have produced three wins and three defeats - a run that has largely defined their season. While capable of strong performances, they have struggled to build sustained momentum to close the gap to the promotion contenders.
Torsten Lieberknecht’s side currently sit seventh heading into the weekend and are unlikely to move position regardless of the result.
However, they responded impressively to their defeat at 1. FC Nürnberg by comfortably beating Fortuna Düsseldorf last time out. Second-half goals from Jacob Rasmussen, Semih Şahin and Dominik Hanslik sealed a convincing 3-0 victory and lifted spirits in the Lautern camp.
Lieberknecht expects a much improved showing against the Old Lady this time around:
“We've already experienced this twice this season: once very narrowly here at home and once in the embarrassing DFB Cup defeat. We focused on this immediately after the victory against Düsseldorf, and I expect to see the necessary attitude and readiness from the very start this weekend,”
As mentioned, Hertha have won both previous meetings this season: a narrow 1-0 victory at the Fritz-Walter-Stadion and a commanding 6-1 triumph in the DFB-Pokal in Berlin.
Kaiserslautern did win their last league visit to the Olympiastadion on matchday 21 of last season, but their recent away record raises concerns - they have won just one of their last nine away games in all competitions.
Team news
Hertha BSC: Jay Brooks is still recovering from injury, while Josip Brekalo serves a suspension.
1. FC Kaiserslautern: Ivan Prtajin appears to be the only expected absentee.
Predicted lineups
Hertha BSC (4-2-3-1): Ernst (GK) - Zeefuik, Leistner, Gechter, Karbownik - Eichhorn, Seguin - Winkler, Cuisance, Reese - Kownacki
1. FC Kaiserslautern (3-4-2-1): Krahl (GK) - Sirch, Gyamfi, Rasmussen - Joly, Şahin, Kunze, Haas - Skyttä, Ritter - Berisha
