This is a first-round DFB Pokal tie, and CheckLive’s data has no clear favourite. With no win probability to lean on, it is genuinely open — a draw is a real possibility, and the tie could easily need extra time or even penalties.
SV Hemelingen arrive in good nick, winning four of their last five. They beat Leher TS twice (2-0 and 2-1), thrashed Brinkumer SV 4-0 and KSV Vatan Sport 7-2, with a friendly defeat at VfV Borussia 06 Hildesheim in between. Hannover 96 have had a bumpier run: they lost their last two league games, 0-1 to VfL Wolfsburg and 1-3 to Energie Cottbus, though they did win friendlies against PEC Zwolle (3-0) and Fortuna Düsseldorf (3-2) before losing 2-3 to SC Paderborn.
There is no head-to-head history to go on — these two have never met in any competition. The key thing to watch is whether the lower-league side can keep their composure on the big stage, and whether Hannover can put their league form behind them. Cup ties like this have a habit of turning on one moment, so nothing is settled beforehand.
