1.FC Köln vs Hoffenheim Preview 30/10/2022

1.FC Köln vs Hoffenheim – 30/10/2022

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FC Koln host Hoffenheim on Sunday with both sides out of form in the Bundesliga. The Billy Goats go into the fixture on the back of a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Mainz.

Hoffenheim, on the other hand, were beaten 2-0 by Bayern Munich and are now three points off the top four.

Hoffenheim were brilliant against Koln in their last six head-to-head fixtures winning all six matches. The Blues outscored Koln 17-4 across their last six matches in all competitions.

Andre Breitenreiter is in his first season as Hoffenheim’s coach. Breitenreiter has done well and could get Hoffenheim back into Europe.

However, the coach needs to get the team to play more consistent football. Hoffenheim took just eight points from the last six games.

Koln go into matchday 12 having taken seven points from the last six games.

The Billy Goats were due to play Slovacko in the Europa Conference League on Thursday night away from home. However, the city of Uherské Hradiště was engulfed by a thick fog.

The Europa League match was postponed with FC Koln finishing the match on Friday afternoon versus Slovacko. The team will have around 48 hours of rest before kicking off with Hoffenheim.

Koln’s home form has been good this season with 10 points from five games. Their last two home matches ended in wins. The Billy Goats outscored their five opponents at home 9-6.

Hoffenheim have blown hot and cold on the road in the Bundesliga. They took seven points from five home matches, scoring eight goals and conceding five times.The Hoff are unbeaten in their last two road games.

FC Koln coach Steffen Baumgart has a laundry list of injured and suspended players. Luca Kilian will miss the game through suspension.

Meanwhile, defenders Kristian Pedersen and Julian Chabot are both out with injuries.

Midfielders Jonas Hector, Mathias Olesen, and Dejan Ljubicic are out of action with injuries those players won’t return until November at the earliest.

Forwards Jan Thielmann, Tim Lemperle, and Sebastian Andersson are also suffering from injuries. Thielman is the only player that could make the squad for the match.

Breitenreiter also has injury issues heading into matchday 12. Forward Munas Dabbur is out with a shoulder injury, Fisnik Asllani is out with a ligament problem, and forward Ilhas Bebou has a knee injury that will keep him out.

Defenders Ermin Bicakcic and Benjamin Hubner are out of action until November with injuries. In addition, goalkeeper Luca Philipp is out with a finger problem.

Injuries on both sides should take their toll, as Koln and Hoffenheim finish in a score draw.

The teams should finish in a 2-2 draw, with over 2.5 goals or the sixth time in seven straight matches.