Borussia Dortmund vs FC Cologne Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 German Bundesliga
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THE FACTS
When is Borussia Dortmund vs FC Cologne on and what time does it start? Borussia Dortmund vs FC Cologne will take place on Saturday 19th August, 2023 – 17:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Borussia Dortmund vs FC Cologne? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Borussia Dortmund vs FC Cologne on in the UK? Sky Sports have the rights to German Bundesliga matches in the UK so it is worth checking their schedule for Borussia Dortmund vs FC Cologne
Where can I stream Borussia Dortmund vs FC Cologne in the UK? If televised on Sky Sports, Borussia Dortmund vs FC Cologne can be streamed live on the Sky Go app
THE LOWDOWN
BORUSSIA DORTMUND
Going into the final day of the 2022-23 Bundesliga campaign, everyone expected Borussia Dortmund to end the long reign of Bayern Munich and deny them an 11th consecutive title by beating lowly Mainz, thus lifting the Meisterschale themselves. However, Edin Terzic’s side buckled under the pressure and weight of expectation, drawing 2-2 and thus handing the Bundesliga crown back to Bayern, who ironically defeated FC Cologne on the same day.
You expect Borussia Dortmund to lose a big player every summer transfer window as this point and we’ve seen it again in the post season. After losing Erling Haaland last summer, Jude Bellingham has departed for Real Madrid, BVB netting a fee of over €100m as a result. As it stands, the hosts have spent big to sign Felix Nmecha from Wolfsburg and Marcel Sabitzer from Bayern and more business is expected from them before the deadline.
FC COLOGNE
FC Cologne can be satisfied for finishing well clear of the relegation places last season on 42 points, which was enough for an 11th-place finish. Perhaps an area for improvement this campaign is in the goalscoring department, having failed to score as many goals as the entire Bundesliga top ten. They’ll need to gain an extra level of potency if they are to take the next step in the Bundesliga.
Of the incomings FC Cologne have recruited so far, only Julian Chabot was for a transfer fee currently, the defender having joined from Sampdoria. Leart Paqarada was signed on a free from St. Pauli, whilst midfielder Jacob Christensen has joined from FC Nordsjaelland in Denmark. On the flip-side, Ondrej Duda has left for Hellas Verona, Cologne gaining €2.7m from the transaction.
THE TEAM NEWS
BORUSSIA DORTMUND
Borussia Dortmund fans may have to wait before they see new signing Felix Nmecha in action as he is an injury doubt for this one. The hosts are also sweating on the fitness of attacker Karim Adeyemi, the speedy striker faces a race against time to make it on Saturday, whilst Thomas Meunier and Jamie Bynoe-Gittins are both confirmed as missing.
Expect both Marcel Sabitzer and Ramy Bensebaini to make their Bundesliga debuts here in central midfield and left-back respectively. Assuming Adeyemi is not ready to play, then Donyell Malen, Marco Reus and Julian Brandt should form the three-pronged attacking midfield behind Haller up top with Giovanni Reyna also on the treatment table
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Kobel; Ryerson, Sule, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini; Sabitzer, Can; Malen, Reus, Brandt; Haller
UNAVAILABLE: Bynoe-Gittins (Injured), Meunier (Injured), Reyna (Injured), Duranville (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Adeyemi (Injured), Nmecha (Injured)
FC COLOGNE
FC Cologne will be desperate hoping that winger Dejan Ljubicic can shake off a knock in time to play from the start in this opening league fixture. Steffen Tigges is also doubtful for the visitors, who are definitely set to miss the likes of Jan Thielmann, Florian Dietz, Linton Maina and Noah Katterbach.
It would be no surprise if Cologne look to match their opponents in terms of formation, which may see Sargis Adamyan operate as the lone striker, but with Luca Waldschmidt often dropping deep from a number ten role into the centre of midfield to form an extra barrier for when Dortmund have possession.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Schwabe; Schmitz, Hubers, Chabot, Paqarada; Olesen, Martel; Ljubicic, Waldschmidt, Kainz; Adamyan
UNAVAILABLE: Dietz (Injured), Katterbach (Injured), Maina (Injured), Thielmann (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Ljubicic (Injured), Tigges (Injured)
THE PREDICTION
Borussia Dortmund are expected to come out of the traps flying here with the hurt of missing out on the ultimate prize last season still fresh in their heads. Despite the loss of Bellingham, Terzic’s side will no doubt be as strong as ever offensively and should carve out lots of clear-cut opportunities to score. They were ruthless in front of goal at home in 2022-23 and that isn’t likely to change anytime soon. Back a Borussia Dortmund win by at least two clear goals.
TIP: BORUSSIA DORTMUND TO WIN WITH -1 HANDICAP
