Hamburg vs FC Cologne Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Sarwar ·
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It’s been a disaster of a start for Hamburg but at home game vs FC Cologne is a chance to rectify things.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / USA – ESPN
How to watch online: UK – Not televised / USA – ESPN+
Hamburg preview: Nightmare continues
Hamburg sit rock bottom of the Bundesliga table but despite such a poor start to the new campaign, the board have shown faith in head coach Merlin Polzin, awarding him a new contract leading up to this next game. Polzin’s side are without a point or even a goal after three matches, after a 2-0 defeat away to Borussia Dortmund was followed up by back-to-back five-goal thrashings.
It has admittedly been a difficult early run of fixtures for Hamburg, having to play both Dortmund and RB Leipzig in their opening three games. But to be hammed 0-5 at home by Mainz is a result worthy of setting off alarm bells at the club.
FC Cologne preview: Bit of everything
It’s been an inconsistent, middle of the road start for FC Cologne, who have four points on the board after three rounds of Bundesliga fixtures. They won a thriller on the opening weekend against Hoffenheim, before losing comprehensive away at Stuttgart and most recently playing out a 1-1 draw with Werder Bremen.
They’ll need to improve on the road and the backline has question marks attached to it having averaged over two goals conceded per game so far in this season’s Bundesliga. But at their best, FC Cologne are capable of doing damage and against a struggling opponent, this represents a good chance for the visitors.
Hamburg team news: Fitness tests for duo
Hamburg will make a late call of the participation of both Bornauw and Muheim with muscle injuries expected to require fitness tests. Dickes and Rossing-Lelesiit miss out again.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Fernandes; Capaldo, Torunarigha, Omari; El Ouahdi, Lokonga, Remberg, Moller Wolfe; Vieira, Gronbaek
Unavailable: Dickes (Injured), Rossing-Lelesiit (Injured)
Questionable: Bornauw (Injured), Muheim (Injured)
FC Cologne team news: Hubers out
FC Cologne are set to be without defender Timo Hubers, as he is sidelined with a knee issue whilst Luca Waldschmidt is battling a muscle problem.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Schwabe; Castro-Montes, Simpson-Pusey, Lochoshvili, Mensah; Skhiri, Krauss; Maina, Moore, El Mala; Ache
Unavailable: Hubers (Injured)
Questionable: Waldschmidt (Injured)
Hamburg vs FC Cologne prediction
When taking into account just how poor both these two clubs have been from a defensive standpoint so far in 2026-27, we could be in for a goal-fest at the Volksparkstadion. Hamburg are already in dire need of three points and the fans are desperate for a reaction following two humiliating results in a row.
FC Cologne at home is the sort of fixture that really should see Hamburg capitalise and make the most of having more possession and opportunities to score against a weaker opponent compared to the likes of Dortmund and Leipzig. But the visitors have goals in them as well, especially vs this Hamburg backline, so it’s well worth backing over 3.5 goals to be scored over the course of the contest.
Hamburg vs FC Cologne tip: Over 3.5 goals
