Freiburg vs FC Cologne Preview: Team News & Prediction

Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!

On the back of a morale-boosting 2-1 win over Mainz, FC Cologne travel to a Freiburg side who are very strong at home.

Kick-off date/time:

How to watch on TV: UK – Amazon Prime Video / US – ESPN

How to watch online: UK – Amazon Prime Video / US – ESPN+

Freiburg preview: Tough road trip

Freiburg began 2026 with victory at home to Hamburg, but since then it’s been tough sledding from their point of view. Away in each of their following two Bundesliga fixtures, Julian Schuster’s side lost 2-0 against RB Leipzig, before having to come from two goals down in order to salvage a draw at Augsburg.

However, Schuster’s men got back to winning ways midweek in Europe, beating Maccabi Tel-Aviv by a goal to nil. Their home form this season has been superb and they come into this match having not lost any of their last 12 games in all competitions in the Black Forest. 

FC Cologne preview: Awful run finally at an end

After having gone eight league matches without victory, FC Cologne finally brought that torturous run to an end last weekend, defeating Mainz by two goals to one thanks to a Ragnar Ache brace, his second coming in the 85th minute to secure a precious three points and ease the pressure on head coach Lukas Kwasniok.

Whilst they’ve been dealt a tough assignment in which to back that result up, to experience victory will have given everybody at the club a huge boost and an injection of belief moving forwards as Cologne look to push on.

Freiburg team news: No recoveries

There is no change on the injury front for Freiburg, who are still missing both striker Daniel-Kofi Kyereh and centre-back Philipp Lienhart.

Predicted XI: (4-2-3-1): Atubolu; Kubler, Ginter, Ogbus, Makengo; Eggestein, Manzambi; Treu, Suzuki, Grifo; Matanovic

Unavailable: Kyereh (Injured), Lienhart (Injured)

Questionable: 

FC Cologne team news: Sizeable injury list

FC Cologne are set to be without a large number of players once again, including the likes of Dominique Heintz, Timo Hubers and Luca Kilian.

Predicted XI: (3-4-3): Schwabe; Sebulonsen, Martel, Van den Berg; Thielmann, Krauss, Kaminski, Castro-Montes; Maina, Ache, Bulter

Unavailable: Heintz (Injured), Hubers (Injured), Kilian (Injured), Schmied (Injured), Simpson-Pusey (Injured)

Questionable: 

Freiburg vs FC Cologne prediction

Freiburg will no doubt be delighted that they are back at home and despite playing on Thursday night, the lack of travel should mean they come into this latest encounter relatively fresh. Whilst FC Cologne with newfound momentum may prove a trickier opponent that what we might’ve seen a couple of weeks ago, Freiburg’s home record cannot be ignored.

Schuster’s side are different team on their own territory and although their performance may drop the longer this game goes on as Freiburg potential tire, their superior quality should tell and at home, backing them has to be favoured.

Freiburg vs FC Cologne tip: Freiburg to win