RB Leipzig vs FC Cologne Preview: Team News & Prediction

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Ole Werner’s RB Leipzig have responded well following that Bayern humiliation on opening night and are hunting a third straight league win as FC Cologne visit the Red Bull Arena.

Kick-off date/time:

How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – ESPN

How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – ESPN+

RB Leipzig preview: Starting to click

Two games, two wins and no goals conceded, that’s the response Ole Werner was no doubt hoping for from his RB Leipzig squad, who have not let their heavy 6-0 defeat away to Bayern Munich define them as a team. Since then, they’ve pulled themselves together, defeating both Heidenheim and Mainz.

A Johan Bakayoko goal after 40 minutes was enough for Leipzig to get the better of Mainz, underlining how well their defence performed over the course of that encounter. Without any European football to contend with, Leipzig can focus fully on the Bundesliga.

FC Cologne preview: Free-scoring entertainment

FC Cologne have been a thrilling watch over the course of these first few weeks of the campaign. Their exciting attacking play has been rewarded with goals and ultimately points. Not only is it now seven points from a possible nine for Lukas Kwasniok’s side, it’s also seven goals across their last two games.

It will be interesting to see if FC Cologne can balance their offensive play, with a stable backline against tough opposition in RB Leipzig, who have figured things out defensively and boast some dangerous attacking pieces of their own. 

RB Leipzig team news: Numerous injuries

RB Leipzig are missing up to six players with injuries, including Benjamin Henrichs, Antonio Nusa and Xavi Schlager. Elsewhere, new signings Conrad Harder and Romulo Cardoso are both battling to get the nod up top.

Predicted XI (4-3-3): Gulacsi; Baku, Orban, Lukeba, Raum; Banzuzi, Seiwald, Baumgartner; Bakayoko, Harder, Diomande

Unavailable: Finkgrafe (Injured), Haidara (Injured), Henrichs (Injured), Klostermann (Injured), Nusa (Injured), Schlager (Injured)

Questionable: 

FC Cologne team news: Pair out injured

New signing Rav Van den Berg misses out here for FC Cologne, the 21-year-old is currently battling a shoulder injury. Also unavailable is defender Luca Kilian, he is nursing a knee problem. Aside from those two, Kwasniok should have a full-strength squad to choose from.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Schwabe; Sebulonsen, Schmied, Hubers, Lund; Johannesson, Martel; Thielmann, Waldschmidt, Kaminski; Bulter

Unavailable: Kilian (Injured), Van den Berg (Injured)

Questionable: 

RB Leipzig vs FC Cologne prediction

Whilst FC Cologne have proven an unrelenting force so far from an attacking perspective, RB Leipzig’s defence are in excellent form and will no doubt be prepared for what the visitors are set to throw at them. The likelihood is that FC Cologne will need to play more conservatively, otherwise Leipzig could punish them at the other end of the field.

When comparing the two squads, RB Leipzig’s is stronger on paper despite the injuries. Combine that with home advantage being in their favour and it bodes well for them. However, backing both teams to score has to be favoured due to the form of this FC Cologne attacking and their recent goal record.

RB Leipzig vs FC Cologne tip: Both teams to score