FC Cologne vs Bayern Munich Preview & Prediction | 2022-23 German Bundesliga
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THE FACTS
When is FC Cologne vs Bayern Munich on and what time does it start? FC Cologne vs Bayern Munich will take place on Saturday 27th May, 2023 – 14:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for FC Cologne vs Bayern Munich? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is FC Cologne vs Bayern Munich on in the UK? Sky Sports have the rights to German Bundesliga matches in the UK so it is worth checking their schedule for FC Cologne vs Bayern Munich
Where can I stream FC Cologne vs Bayern Munich in the UK? If televised on Sky Sports, FC Cologne vs Bayern Munich can be streamed live on the Sky Go app
THE LOWDOWN
FC COLOGNE
Despite having little to play for, FC Cologne are finishing the season strongly, going into the summer break on a high, no doubt hoping that such momentum will carry over until next season. They’ve won four of their last seven Bundesliga fixtures including two of their last three, losing just once in the process. They currently lie in tenth-place but victory combined with defeat for Mainz away at Borussia Dortmund could see them finish in ninth depending on whether there is a big enough goal difference swing to flip the two teams. FC Cologne’s last home fixture saw them dominate against now relegated Hertha Berlin, thrashing them 5-2, despite at one stage trailing by two goals to one.
Prior to that win, Steffen Baumgart’s side surprised many when they overcame Bayer Leverkusen away from home, beating the Europa League semi-finalists 1-2, courtesy of a brace from Davie Selke. The only recent worry for a Cologne perspective is that clean sheets have been hard to come by for them, their last seven league matches having seen them concede at least one goal in each, despite only losing one of those fixtures. With that in mind, it’s hard to see them keeping a team of Bayern Munich’s quality out.
BAYERN MUNICH
Bayern Munich’s long reign as kings of Germany may well be becoming to an end. After having been crowned Bundesliga champions for the last ten consecutive seasons, they are set to enter the final day of the 2022-23 campaign second-place in the table powerless to prevent Borussia Dortmund from ending their spell of dominance. Thomas Tuchel’s side trail BVB by two points following that stunning result at the Allianz Arena last Saturday that saw RB Leipzig come from behind to shock Bayern, defeating them 1-3. Only victory here away at FC Cologne will give them any hope of overtaking Dortmund and snatching the title after all, which is all they can focus on at this stage.
Attacker Serge Gnabry gave Bayern Munich the lead over RB Leipzig in the 25th minute and the expectation was that Tuchel’s men would kick on from there. Alas they failed to finish off the visitors are paid the price in a big way. An equaliser came courtesy of Konrad Laimer in the 64th minute before two penalties later in the piece from Christopher Nkunku and Dominik Szoboszlai respectively sealed the comeback and ripped the Bundesliga title from Bayern’s grasp in dramatic fashion.
THE TEAM NEWS
FC COLOGNE
FC Cologne will be without three players for the visit of Bayern Munich, Florian Dietz remains out long term after suffering a cruciate ligament injury back in November. Also set to miss this one are strikers Stefan Tigges and Mark Uth. Whilst the former is nursing a shoulder injury, the latter has an issue with his pelvis which is keeping him out of action for the rest of the campaign.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Schwabe; Schmitz, Hubers, Chabot, Hector; Skhiri, Martel; Ljubicic, Kainz, Maina; Selke
UNAVAILABLE: Dietz (Injured), Tigges (Injured), Uth (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
BAYERN MUNICH
Alfonso Davies and Lucas Hernandez remain out for Bayern Munich as does goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who will be hoping to be back for next season no doubt after a broken leg has seen him miss a big chunk of the campaign with Yann Sommer having done a good job in his place since signing during the January transfer window. However, Thomas Tuchel could have striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting available, who is striving to recover from a knee injury in time to play some part in this one.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Sommer; Mazraoui, Pavard, De Ligt, Cancelo; Kimmich, Goretzka; Coman, Musiala, Gnabry; Muller
UNAVAILABLE: Davies (Injured), Hernandez (Injured), Neuer (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Choupo-Moting (Injured)
THE PREDICTION
What Bayern Munich do here is only significant should Borussia Dortmund fail to beat Mainz. But the reigning champions will know that three points will give them a chance to retaining their title. Such motivation should ensure no complacency and with the players at their disposal, Bayern will be expected to have the better of play here. Whilst this is unlikely to be a walkover when considering Cologne’s recent form, the visitors should do enough to gain the win they need. Although whether that's enough to secure an 11th consecutive Bundesliga, we'll have to wait and see.
TIP: BAYERN MUNICH TO WIN
