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VfB Stuttgart vs. 1. FC Köln
When the final matchday in the Bundesliga dawns on Saturday, only isolated teams will have anything at stake. Bayern have become champions for the tenth time in a row, Dortmund and Leverkusen are sure to play in the Champions League next year and with Fürth the first team to be relegated has already been decided for a few weeks.
In Stuttgart on Saturday, however, two teams will meet who have not yet finished with this season. VfB are in the relegation spot before the last matchday, but can still secure their place in the relegation zone with a win if rivals Hertha BSC lose at the same time. The problems of 1. FC Köln, on the other hand, are of a different nature. The Geißböcke are already safely in seventh place and thus qualified for the Europa Conference League play-offs. Should they win in Stuttgart and Union Berlin not manage more than a draw against VfL Bochum, however, sixth place and the Europa League still beckon for the cathedral city.
Kick-off for all nine Bundesliga games is at 15:30 on Saturday. Find out what our predictions are for the clash between VfB and FC in our Stuttgart vs Cologne betting tips.
Stuttgart vs Cologne info
– Date & Time: 14.05.2022, 15:30 Uhr
– Venue: Stuttgart, Mercedes-Benz Arena
– Competition: Bundesliga, 34th matchday
– TV broadcast: Sky
Stuttgart Form & Balance Check
By drawing 2-2 with champions Bayern Munich last weekend, VfB Stuttgart preserved their chance of staying safely in the relegation zone. The Swabians are currently in the relegation zone with 30 points and a goal difference of minus 19. Arminia Bielefeld (27 points & minus 26 goals) are in 17th place, while Berlin’s Hertha are in 15th place with 33 points and a goal difference of minus 33. Hertha will play Dortmund on the last matchday, while Bielefeld will host RB Leipzig. Should Dortmund and Stuttgart win, VfB will remain in the Bundesliga.
Not won since mid-March
But Stuttgart have been waiting for a win for six league games. Their last win came against Augsburg on Matchday 27 with 3:2. But also seen over the entire season, VfB have only won a few matches. In total, the Swabians won only six of 33 games. The fact that they won five of those six at home gives them hope against Cologne.
Stuttgart facts & analysis
– 6 games in a row not won.
– 4 goals in last 6 matches
– Lost only 1 of last 5 home games
Cologne form & balance check
After four wins in a row, 1. FC Köln once again came off the pitch as losers on the last matchday. The Geißböcke lost 0:1 in front of their home crowd against VfL Wolfsburg. Cologne were superior in all respects, but after scoring 13 goals in the last four games, they failed to score against the Wolves. As Hoffenheim also lost their match against Leverkusen (2:4), Cologne qualified for the European Cup despite the defeat against Wolfsburg. Seventh place and the associated participation in the play-offs for the Europa Conference League can no longer be taken away from the Rhinelanders. Should Union Berlin fail to win against Bochum at the weekend, FC would even qualify for the Europa League with a victory in Stuttgart.
After five years back in Europe
The last time the Geißböcke played internationally was in the 2017/18 season. At that time, however, it was already over after the group stage of the Europa League. For Cologne’s penultimate participation in international business, we have to go back quite a bit. In the 1992/93 season, Cologne played in the UEFA Cup. But even then the pleasure was short-lived. FC was eliminated in the first round against Celtic Glasgow.
Cologne facts & analysis
– Won 4 of last 5 matches.
– 7 goals in last 2 away games
– None of last 7 matches went over without conceding a goal
Predicted line-up – last update on 12 May 2022
We expect VfB in the all-important home match with the same starting line-up as against Bayern. Most of the team has been part of the regular line-up for some time. Moreover, since Pellegrino Matarazzo switched to a 3-4-3 system, Stuttgart have been unbeaten. The only doubtful candidate is Führich on the right wing. Tommy could also start in his place. Stenzel, Mola, Meyer, Faghir, Silas, Sankoh and Ahamada are still missing due to injury
For Cologne coach Steffen Baumgart, there is also no reason to make any major changes to the starting eleven. Striker Andersson is still missing for the Geißböcken due to late effects of his Corona infection. Ostrak, Thielmann and Obuz are out due to injury.
ℹ The MercedesBenzArena is sold out! For the upcoming home match against @fckoeln all tickets are gone – we are looking forward to a full house on Saturday! ⚪🔴💪 Let the cauldron burn together!!! 🔥🔥🔥
VfB 🔜 VfBKOE pic.twitter.com/yLikgyvPOA– VfB Stuttgart (@VfB) May 11, 2022
VfB Stuttgart – 1. FC Köln Direct comparison & Statistics
The overall balance between Stuttgart and Cologne is relatively even. Of 101 encounters, VfB won 35, FC 41. 25 games ended in draws. On Saturday, the two teams will meet for the third time this season. In the 2nd round of the DFB Cup, Cologne won 2:0 in Stuttgart. On the last matchday of the first leg, the Geißböcke were again victorious with 1:0. Anthony Modeste scored all three Cologne goals in the two matches.
– Cologne have won the first two meetings with Stuttgart this season.
– Stuttgart has been waiting for a win against Cologne for 2 home games.
– In the last 3 duels both teams never scored
