Wolfsburg vs Cologne Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Wolfsburg are looking to try and reignite themselves as a force in the Bundesliga, as they now welcome newly-promoted Cologne to the Volkswagen Arena this weekend.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – ESPN
How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – ESPN+
Wolfsburg preview: New era for Wolfsburg
After the disappointing stint in charge of Ralph Hasenhuttl, Paul Simonis is now in charge of a Wolfsburg side that will want to get themselves back into UEFA competition this season, with four points collected from their opening couple of matches.
Prior to the September international break, Wolfsburg defeated Heidenheim by three goals to one before then conceding late on against Mainz to be pegged back to a 1-1 draw, due to a Nadiem Amiri penalty scored in the 89th minute.
Cologne preview: Strong start for Koln
Having gained promotion back to the Bundesliga last season, under the management of Lukas Kwasniok, Cologne have started their season exceptionally well, starting with a 2-1 victory against second-tier Jahn Regensburg in the first round of the DFB-Pokal.
In the Bundesliga, Cologne started with a slender victory away from home against ten-man Mainz, before they then dispatched of Freiburg by four goals to one at the RheinEnergie Stadion a couple of weeks ago.
Wolfsburg team news: Svanberg suspended
In that clash with Mainz, Mattias Svanberg was sent off and the midfielder is now missing through suspension. They also have confirmed absentees such as Denis Vavro and Kevin Paredes.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Grabara; Fischer, Jenz, Koulierakis, Maehle; Vinicius Souza, Arnold; Wimmer, Majer, Cerny; Amoura
Unavailable: Vavro (Injured), Svanberg (Suspended), Paredes (Injured)
Questionable: Rogerio (Injured)
Cologne team news: A few issues
Cologne have a few issues ahead of their trip to Wolfsburg, as defender Luca Kilian is sidelined, whilst defender Julian Pauli and midfielder Timo Hubers are both doubts.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Schwabe; Sebulonsen, Van den Berg, Hubers, Lund; Martel, Huseinbasic; Thielmann, Johannesson, Bulter; Kaminski
Unavailable: Kilian (Injured)
Questionable: Pauli (Injured), Hubers (Injured)
Wolfsburg vs Cologne prediction
Wolfsburg were extremely entertaining, albeit haphazard, to watch last season. They will be expected to get on the front foot with their home advantage and they have started well, but they are taking on a Cologne side that have been very strong at the start of this season and they have invested well in the summer, too, to make this unlikely to be a flash in the pan, and this may well be a good watch for the neutral this weekend.
Wolfsburg vs Cologne tip: Both teams to score
