FC Cologne vs Wolfsburg Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 German Bundesliga
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THE FACTS
When is FC Cologne vs Wolfsburg on and what time does it start? FC Cologne vs Wolfsburg will take place on Saturday 26th August, 2023 – 14:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for FC Cologne vs Wolfsburg? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is FC Cologne vs Wolfsburg 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 Wolfsburg
Where can I stream FC Cologne vs Wolfsburg in the UK? If televised on Sky Sports, FC Cologne vs Wolfsburgcan be streamed live on the Sky Go app
THE LOWDOWN
FC COLOGNE
FC Cologne fought hard away vs Bundesliga giants and expected title challengers Borussia Dortmund and will have been gutted not to have taken home the point their defensive efforts deserved. As expected, FC Cologne spent much of the game out of possession and pinned back inside their own half, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. When they had the ball, the visitors posed a genuine attacking threat and 11 shots, four of them on target is testament to that.
In the end, FC Cologne were undone in the 88th minute by a Donyell Malen goal, but despite the result will have come away from Dortmund knowing that they are on the right track as a collective unit. Similar performances going forward into the season will no doubt see them pick up points.
WOLFSBURG
Wolfsburg will have been quietly delighted to have ended up with a home game against newly promoted Heidenheim to begin their Bundesliga campaign and Niko Kovac’s side took full advantage. The hosts started the game with the intensity required, showing no signs of complacency and were rewarded six minutes in through an opening goal from Jonas Wind.
The Wolfsburg striker had an excellent game and doubled his side’s advantage on 27 minutes. The only real disappointment from Kovac’s perspective is that they couldn’t go on and score any further goals and whilst a clean sheet will have no doubt pleased him, to only win 2-0 may feel like somewhat of a missed opportunity.
THE TEAM NEWS
FC COLOGNE
Provided he is passed fully fit, Davie Selke is likely to start once again as the side’s central striker. Stefan Tigges could recover in time to feature in some shape or form, but FC Cologne’s injury list is still high with Dietz, Katterbach, Maina and Thielmann all still out.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Schwabe; Schmitz, Hubers, Chabot, Paqarada; Ljubicic, Martel; Karstensen, Waldschmidt, Kainz; Selke
UNAVAILABLE: Dietz (Injured), Katterbach (Injured), Maina (Injured), Thielmann (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Tigges (Injured), Selke (Fitness)
WOLFSBURG
After being unavailable through injury against Heidenheim, both Sebastiaan Bornauw and Kevin Paredes return to the Wolfsburg match day squad for the trip to Cologne, although striker Lukas Nmecha and the versatile Kylian Fischer both miss out again here. Expect an unchanged side with Cerny and Wimmer either side of Wind up-front.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Casteels; Baku, Lacroix, Zesiger, Maehle; Svanberg, Gerhardt, Majer; Cerny, Wind, Wimmer
UNAVAILABLE: Fischer (Injured), Nmecha (Injured), Rogerio (Suspended)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
This represents a far sterner test for Wolfsburg than what they got on the opening weekend and the big question is whether their backline will be up to the challenge. It’s clear that Wolfsburg have enough quality going forward to hurt any side, but against an FC Cologne team who will relish being able to deploy a more proactive style of play this time round from an offensive perspective, Wolfsburg could come unstuck defensively. Expect an entertaining encounter with over 2.5 goals scored across 90 minutes.
TIP: OVER 2.5 GOALS
