The German football season starts this weekend with the first round of the DFB-Pokal putting the 18 Bundesliga sides to the test against lower league opposition a week before the 2009/10 league season commences.

Last year's first round followed the form guide with no Bundesliga side slipping up, but this year promises to be different.

Eintracht Frankfurt are one of the likeliest candidates to fall at the first hurdle as they travel to third division Kickers Offenbach, one of their traditional local rivals.

That game takes place on Sunday when Hanover will be put to the test by Trier and holders Werder Bremen head for Union Berlin, who were last season promoted to the second division.

Tournament favourites Bayern Munich got the easiest of draws against the lowest-ranked side in the competition, Neckarelz from the sixth division, although even they will not be taking anything for granted in new coach Louis van Gaal's first serious game in charge.

The competition gets under way tomorrow with six matches, including two Bundesliga sides.

Bayer Leverkusen travel to Babelsberg and defending Bundesliga champions Wolfsburg visit Wehen Wiesbaden of the third division.

The competition is spread over four days with Fortuna Dusseldorf's clash with Hamburg on Monday night bringing the first round to a conclusion.