Bayer Leverkusen vs Cologne Preview: Team News & Prediction
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After a thrilling midweek, Bayer Leverkusen return to domestic action needing a response with the visit of a steady Cologne side to the BayArena this week.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – ESPN
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – ESPN+
Bayer Leverkusen preview: Impressive Leverkusen
Kasper Hjulmand has overseen a major improvement from Bayer Leverkusen as the season has gone on but they have now suffered three defeats in their last five Bundesliga matches after a 2-0 loss to Augsburg last weekend.
In midweek, Leverkusen played out an entertaining and topsy turvy clash against Newcastle United the other day in which they managed to snatch a fun 2-2 draw with a late equaliser scored by Alex Grimaldo.
Cologne preview: Steady Cologne
Following promotion to the top-flight last season, Cologne have been very impressive as they begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting tucked inside the top-half of the table but they are on a four-match winless run of form at the moment.
After back-to-back defeats, Cologne have now played out back-to-back draws in recent weeks with a 1-1 draw against Werder Bremen before then being denied all three points by a very late St Pauli equaliser last weekend.
Bayer Leverkusen team news: Alex Grimaldo fit
Alex Grimaldo was a doubt in midweek but he is now fully fit and available. They do have a couple of other key injury issues, though, such as Lucas Vazquez and Ezequiel Fernandez.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Flekken; Andrich, Bade, Tapsoba; Hofmann, Maza, Aleix Garcia, Alex Grimaldo; Tillman, Poku; Schick
Unavailable: Palacios (Injured)
Questionable: Tape (Injured), Lucas Vazquez (Injured), Ezequiel Fernandez (Injured)
Cologne team news: A few injuries
Cologne head to Leverkusen with a few injury issues for this one as Luca Kilian remains sidelined alongside Dominique Heintz and Timo Hubers, with Joel Schmeid a doubt, too.
Predicted XI (3-4-1-2): Schwabe; Sebulonsen, Van den Berg, Krauss; Thielmann, Martel, Huseinbasic, Kaminski; Waldschmidt; Bulter, El Mala
Unavailable: Kilian (Injured), Heintz (Injured), Hubers (Injured)
Questionable: Schmeid (Injured)
Bayer Leverkusen vs Cologne prediction
Cologne are not a side that should have been playing in the 2. Bundesliga anyway last season, given their size and their squad, and they are proving that this season with strong performances throughout the campaign. Leverkusen put a lot of energy into their game with Newcastle and that could lead to fatigue this week with both teams scoring seemingly a good bet as Cologne seek to take advantage of that.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Cologne tip: Both teams to score
