2. Bundesliga preview: Energie Cottbus vs. Hannover 96 | OneFootball

Energie Cottbus host Hannover 96 at the LEAG Energie Stadion in a 2. Bundesliga opener between promoted hosts and promotion hopefuls. According to BuLi News, both want a fast start.

Cottbus return to the Zweite Liga for the first time since 2014, clinching promotion on the final day to finish second in the 3. Liga.

Claus-Dieter Wollitz has added 10 signings, including Leonardo Bittencourt, goalkeeper Marcel Lotka and forward Lucas Copado. They join Tolga Cigerci and Erik Engelhardt, who totalled 39 league goals last season. Pre-season brought four defeats in seven friendlies.

Hannover fell short last term, a draw with Nürnberg let Paderborn overtake them, and Paderborn beat Wolfsburg. After 11 exits, senior arrivals are Jean Hugonet and Pascal Loretz, with Taycan Etçibasi joining from Borussia Dortmund after 19 youth goals in 2025/26.

Head coach Christian Titz said his team need consistency and to use the early fixtures to find rhythm, highlighting the value of a strong start and the fans’ backing in Cottbus.

Cottbus beat Hannover 1-0 in last season’s DFB-Pokal through Tolga Cigerci, and Hannover’s last away win was in 2006. Cottbus ended last season unbeaten in their final 13 home matches, while Hannover are seven unbeaten away.

Cottbus report no injuries. Hannover travel without Husseyn Chakroun, shoulder, and Virgil Ghita, left hamstring.

Predicted lineups. Energie Cottbus (4-2-3-1): Lotka (GK); Rorig, Manu, Erlein, Zaydan; Bittencourt, Michelbrink; Cigerci, Boziaris, Copado; Engelhardt. Hannover 96 (3-4-3): Loretz (GK); Hugonet, Tomiak, Allgeier; Neubauer, Thórdarson, Gindorf, Oudenne; Bundu, Källman, Taibi.

Source: BuLi News

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”