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VfL Bochum vs. 1. FC Köln
In the Bundesliga, two teams that were already active in the DFB-Pokal during the week meet this weekend in the top match. VfL Bochum welcomes 1. FC Köln and while the home side had a very successful game, beating Mainz 3:1 at home, Cologne were eliminated in a penalty shoot-out.
Florian Kainz slipped during the decisive penalty kick and shot himself. Although the ball landed in the goal, the goal was disallowed due to the second contact and in the end Hamburg progressed. Now the Effzeh can fully concentrate on the Bundesliga and with Bochum a very unpleasant opponent is waiting, who is especially strong in their own stadium. Find out who we think will win the 3 points in this Bochum vs Cologne betting tip.
Bochum – Cologne Info:
– Date & Time: 22.01.2022, 18:30 Uhr
– Venue: Vonovia-Ruhrstadion (Bochum)
– Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 20
– TV broadcast: Live on Sky Sport
Bochum Form & Balance Check
After an extremely difficult start to the season and the harsh defeat against Bayern, a jolt must have gone through the team. After losing 5 games out of the first 7, the team suddenly started to win with regularity. Especially in their own stadium, Bochum has been really strong so far and has taken points away from teams like Hoffenheim, Wolfsburg or Freiburg. Even in the derby against BVB, it was enough for a point at 1:1. Now the team is in a solid 11th place in the table.
Does VfL collapse again?
Of course, you can never be too sure, SV Werder Bremen experienced that only last season after they squandered an 11-point lead and went down in the end. Bochum’s lead is currently 3 points and they should be warned accordingly. The game is extremely close this year, so Bochum must maintain their home strength and score regularly. Otherwise it could get really tight again.
Bochum facts & analysis
– Bochum have won 4 of their last 6 home games
– They qualified for the quarter-finals in the DFB Cup during the week
– Sebastian Polter is the top scorer with 6 goals
Cologne Form & Balance Check
Although the last week went rather modestly for Cologne, the overall impression of the current season remains positive. Under the new coach, the team has a clear playing philosophy for the first time in ages and as an outsider you can see how much the players want to play this way. Everyone fights for each other and so the team is currently in a more than solid 9th place, with distance to the European places. This is an extreme step forward considering the past years, as last year they could only save themselves via relegation and barely stayed in the league.
Can Steffen Baumgart leave a lasting mark on the Effzeh?
The Cologne coach is probably the shooting star of the current Bundesliga season. Hardly any other coach polarises as much as the 50-year-old. But is it just a one-hit wonder, or can it turn into a long-term success story? We can certainly imagine that Baumgart and Cologne can become something in the long run. So far, hardly any coach has had such a positive influence on the team and if they can maintain this spirit, then nothing should stand in the way of a long and successful period.
Cologne Facts & Analysis
– Top scorer is Modeste with 14 goals.
– The last match in the Bundesliga was lost with 0:4 against Bayern
– Cologne are in 8th place in the away table
Predicted line-up – last update on 20 January 2022
Good possibility that both coaches will make one or the other change compared to the cup match. For Bochum, Locadia could get a chance in attack and Löwen is also an option after his goal in the cup. Steffen Baumgart will probably start with the familiar diamond. In addition, top goal scorer Modeste will most likely return to the centre of attack. Unlucky Kainz is also likely to start at eight.
Bochum – Cologne direct comparison & statistics
We are expecting the 60th direct encounter between the two in the Bundesliga and so far the Effzeh have won most of them. The Cologne side have won 33 of their matches, while VfL have only won 11.
– Cologne won the first leg with 2:1
– Neither of the teams scored a goal in their last match
– When 1. FC Köln leads 0-1 in away matches, they win 50% of the matches
