FC Koln vs Borussia Dortmund Prediction, Betting Tips and Match Preview. Check the match preview, betting tips, useful info and football predictions for the match between FC Koln vs Borussia Dortmund in Bundesliga.
FC Koln vs Borussia Dortmund Match Preview
FC Koln sit bottom of the Bundesliga table, but have shown resilience in the past few rounds to raise hopes of a miraculous survival. Their test of credentials will come against a Borussia Dortmund that is struggling to stop its slide down the table. This FC Koln vs Borussia Dortmund encounter will be played at the Müngersdorfer Stadion on Friday, February 2, so check out our FC Koln vs Borussia Dortmund prediction and betting tips.
FC Koln
The biggest problem for FC Koln has been their early season form which was terrible. They didn’t taste a victory in the Bundesliga until the 17th round of fixtures and mid-December. They picked just three points from their first 16 rounds (D3, L13), but have picked up ten from the next four (W3, D1). That is, however, not enough to take them off the bottom after 20 games (13 pts). They are still seven points from safety, but the recent improvement has given them hope. The immediate target for Cologne, though, has to be the relegation play-off spot which is just four points away. Recent form is definitely in favour of the hosts, but will that be sufficient to carry them in this FC Koln vs Borussia Dortmund fixture?
Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund started the season with high hopes and occupied the top position till September end, after an unbeaten seven match run (W6, D1). However, their form nosedived from there and they couldn’t a victory again until the second week of December. By that time, they started sliding down the table and got sucked into the multi-team contest for the European spots. They are currently sixth after 20 games (31 pts, W8, D7, L5). Although they are only three points behind the second-placed Bayer Leverkusen, there is a question mark over their immediate future after the departure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but Michy Batshuayi come to club and he should be a good replacement. However, Dortmund are unbeaten in five Bundesliga games (W2, D3) coming into this FL Koln vs Borussia Dortmund fixture. Is that enough to propel the visitors?
FC Koln vs Borussia Dortmund H2H
Historically, these two sides have had close encounters, although, Dortmund are a little ahead. In 117 games in all competitions, Dortmund has 46 wins, 32 draws and 39 losses.
FC Koln vs Borussia Dortmund Team News
For Koln, Lukas Klunter is suspended while Leonardo Bittencourt (groin), Tim Hardwerker (broken hand), and Joao Queiros (neck) are unavailable.
Dortmund will miss the services of Erik Durm (ankle), Andriy Yarmolenko (tendon), Maximilian Philipp (knee), Marcel Schmelzer (calf), and Raphael Guerreiro (thigh).
FC Koln vs Borussia Dortmund Probable Line-ups
FC Koln XI: Horn, Sorensen, Mere, Heintz, Hector, Clemens, Hoger, Ozcan, Jojic, Terodde, Osako.
Borussia Dortmund XI: Burki, Piszczek, Sokratis, Toprak, Toljan, Gotze, Weigl, Kagawa, Pulisic, Batshuayi, Sancho.
FC Koln vs Borussia Dortmund Prediction
There is so much riding on this game for both the sides for different reasons. Cologne want to keep winning and make a move up the table while Dortmund would want their poor run to end. Both teams have their issues at the back, which means there will be goals in this encounter. We are backing goals at either end of the pitch. Cologne may surprise a few, once again, and snatch at least a point in this fixture.