2. Bundesliga Topspiel Preview: VfL Wolfsburg vs. 1. FC Kaiserslautern | OneFootball

Following their first-ever relegation from the Bundesliga, Wolfsburg will start the new season at home against traditional club Kaiserslautern. The hosts are the overwhelming favorites to win 2. Bundesliga, despite their new-look squad.

Torsten Lieberknecht’s men ended last season in sixth place, ten points adrift of promoted Elversberg and Paderborn. Unlike Wolfsburg, Kaiserslautern have to rely on signing free agents and players on loan deals.

The two teams last met during the 2011/12 Bundesliga season. Despite Sotirios Kyrgiakos’ red card on the stroke of half-time, Wolfsburg won the home game with a goal from Iranian striker Ashkan Dejagah before a goalless draw in the reverse fixture.

Team News

RB Leipzig-linked Mohamed Amoura, who is still expected to leave the club this summer, is out with a thigh injury. Christian Eriksen is yet to decide on his future, while Maximilian Arnold is absent due to a groin injury.

Summer signings Hauke Wahl, Mathys Angely, Elvis Rexhbecaj, Muhammed Damar, Fabian Reese, Fraser Hornby and Robert Glatzel are all expected to start for Wolfsburg.

Jannik Mause (elbow) and Ivan Prtajin (ACL) are out of Kaiserslautern’s traveling squad, while Paul Joly is suspended for a non-sporting incident that occurred when he was at Auxerre.

Simon Asta is expected to replace the Frenchman in the right wingback position. Former Germany international Mergim Berisha could start upfront, while Marlon Ritter and Naatan Skyttä hope to build on their excellent 2025/26 season.

Predicted Lineups

Wolfsburg: Zielinski; Fischer, Wahl, Angely, Kumbedi; Vini Souza ©; Damar, Rexhbecaj; Hornby, Reese; Glatzel

Kaiserslautern: Krahl; Elvedi, Gyamfi, Rasmussen; Asta, Kunze, Sahin, Haas; Skyttä, Ritter ©; Berisha