FC Cologne vs Hoffenheim Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Hoffenheim are looking to maintain their place in the top three with a positive result away at FC Cologne.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – ESPN
How to watch online: UK – Not televised / US – ESPN+
FC Cologne preview: Out of form
FC Cologne need to quickly find some consistent positive results, having lost three of their last four games in the Bundesliga, conceding at least two goals in all three of those defeats. Such defensive instability needs plugging ahead of an important home fixture such as this, especially against a side of Hoffenheim’s attacking verve.
Whilst FC Cologne are currently stuck in the wasteland of mid-table, only four points stand between them and the bottom three, so it’s crucial that this recent spurt of losses gets plugged quickly before things become really alarming.
Hoffenheim preview: Back in the win column
After seeing their incredible recent run of victories that had seen them climb into the top three brought to an end by Bayern Munich in emphatic fashion, Christian Ilzer’s Hoffenheim had the perfect response. The scoring machine refired again in a resounding 3-0 triumph over a strong Freiburg side, again showing why this Hoffenheim team are the real deal.
There were goals for Asllani, Kabak and Gendrey in the win against Freiburg, all of which came in the second half as Ilzer’s teamtalk worked wonders. Fifth-placed RB Leipzig are now five points behind Hoffenheim with a tough match at home to Borussia Dortmund ahead on Saturday evening, further strengthening Hoffenheim’s position.
FC Cologne team news: Wait over Niang
FC Cologne will likely make a late call over Niang, who is battling a muscle problem and if he misses out, he'll join the likes of Hubers and Kilian on the sidelines.
Predicted XI: (3-4-3): Schwabe; Schmied, Martel, Ozkacar; Sebulonsen, Johannesson, Krauss, Lund; Thielmann, Ache, Kaminski
Unavailable: Castro-Montes (Injured), Hubers (Injured), Kilian (Injured), Maina (Injured)
Questionable: Niang (Injured)
Hoffenheim team news: Missing three
Hoffenheim remain without Hlozek due to a calf injury and Lemperle's ankle problem rules him out. Machida has a knee issue, so he too is missing.
Predicted XI: (4-3-3): Baumann; Coufal, Hranac, Kabak, Hajdari; Promel, Avdullahu, Burger; Kramaric, Toure, Asllani
Unavailable: Hlozek (Injured), Lemperle (Injured), Machida (Injured)
Questionable:
FC Cologne vs Hoffenheim prediction
For Hoffenheim, it’s about maintaining their built-up momentum and backing up a quality showing all-round last time out. For FC Cologne, it’s about creating further breathing room between them and the relegation places. But against the joint-second most attack in the Bundesliga, their backline is in for a stern examination.
Fans waited to see how Hoffenheim responded to losing a game and it couldn’t have been any more ideal. They now travel to FC Cologne full of confidence, knowing that their offense is more than good enough to find the net at least twice, leaving the hosts with a lot to do even just to claim a point. The smart play would be to back an away victory.
FC Cologne vs Hoffenheim tip: Hoffenheim to win
