Football Results

This Bundesliga derby comes in the situation when Cologne was practically left without a chance to preserve their elite rank status, because the safe zone is eight points away before this round. It is not unattainable, but Cologne is also not laying better and they lost the previous two duels. Bayer is in a completely different situation and they are struggling for positions that directly lead to the Champions League and they are fourth before this round, with the proviso that the score differences are very small. The “Pharmacists” are in a very good form, so they made three win in the last four duels. In the first part of the season, Bayer has celebrated on their field against Cologne with 2-1.

1.FC Cologne

By the end of the championship there are still more than 20 points, and Cologne’s backlog for the teams that are above the relegation zone is considerably smaller, and looking at that, the “Billy Goats” should not till be written off, but the situation is objectively almost hopeless. They need a series of wins, with the imperative to triumph in duels against the teams they are trying to reach, and will end up playing against Mainz and Wolfsburg.

They will also play against top-level teams, including this duel with Bayer, where they are of course under the imperative of victory. They had two better opportunities in the previous two matches against Stuttgart and Werder, but lost both. In both games they managed to return after receiving a goal and then dropped again and received more goals. They also remained without Sorensen, an important defensive player, so Maroh will probably be his replacement.

Probable lineups 1.FC Cologne: T.Horn – Maroh, J.Mere, Heintz – Risse, Hoger, Koziello, J.Hector – Osako, Pizarro – Terodde

Bayer Leverkusen

Bayer till has a lot of important matches by the end of the season, but they are fighting for the second place, or at least the fourth, which also leads the Champions League. They will play in the semi-finals of the Cup, but they will meet there with Bayern, so it will not be easy. In the second half of the season, some of their games were played the weaker, but mostly at home, while they have not lost as guests in forever, and they are certainly encouraged before the game with their neighbours.

With minimal wins of 2-1, they have solved the previous two matches with Wolfsburg and HSV and thus practically helped Cologne a little bit, while in the last round broke short series of two defeats on their field when they mastered Borussia M'gladbach with 2-0. They were a much better rival on the field, although they only confirmed the victory in the injury time when they scored second goal. Coach Herrlich made only one change after winning Wolfsburg and Bellarabi stayed on the bench, while Bailey returned to the team. Now Brandt could replace Havertz, while no one is on the injured list.

Probable lineups Bayer Leverkusen: Leno – L.Bender, Tah, S.Bender, Wendell – Baumgartlinger, Aranguiz – Brandt, Bailey, Volland – Alario

Verdict:

Cologne will be especially motivated, but they are under great pressure and they are simply looking for a triumph in this duel, however, Bayer is great at home and will definitely return and possibly punish the open game of the hosts, so we expect a lot of goals in this match.

Pick:  over 2.5 goals 1.68 - 68/100 @1XBet