Said El Mala, the 19-year-old gem of 1. FC Cologne, recently scored a dream goal in Hoffenheim and symbolizes the surprising rise of the Billy Goats. After six matchdays, Cologne is in 6th place with ten points, just one point behind Bayer Leverkusen, while Augsburg is fighting against relegation in 14th place with six points. The omens could hardly be more different when the two teams meet at the RheinEnergieStadion on Saturday.
In sporting terms, the teams are currently worlds apart: Lukas Kwasniok has got Cologne in great shape after their promotion, with the squad’s value rising from €77 million to €106 million. El Mala, the most expensive player in the squad with a market value of €18 million, is being watched across Europe and has been involved in goals or assists in all five league games. Augsburg, on the other hand, is experiencing ups and downs under Sandro Wagner after 100 days in office. After a promising opening victory in Freiburg, four defeats in a row followed before the 3-1 win against Wolfsburg restored confidence. Wagner is increasingly relying on home-grown players such as Mert Kömür, who has already contributed two goals and two assists, and Noahkai Banks. One possible ray of hope: captain Jeffrey Gouweleeuw could be an option again after recovering from a torn medial ligament.
- Venue: RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne
- Date and time: October 18, 2025, 3:30 p.m.
- Competition: Bundesliga (Matchday 7)
Cologne has scored consistently in its last five games, while Augsburg has conceded goals in each of its last five games, but has also scored regularly. This constellation makes over 2.5 goals the most attractive betting option with moderate risk and good value potential. Also recommended: Both teams to score: Yes, which seems highly likely given the form curves. Bold bettors combine both markets for higher odds at medium risk.
The bookmakers see Cologne as favorites at around 2.00, with a draw at around 3.9. The value clearly lies in the offensive markets, especially since Cologne has to replace important defensive players in van den Berg, Kilian, and Bülter. Augsburg plays consistently offensively under Wagner, with the young wild ones Kömür and Banks providing pace and goal-scoring threat. Tactically, Cologne will want to dominate the game with high pressing and lots of transitions, while Augsburg will rely on quick counterattacks. These spaces promise chances for both sides. For conservative players, we recommend betting two to five percent of your bankroll on the markets mentioned, while risk-takers can easily increase their stake on combination bets. Important: Check the latest lineups and injury reports before placing your bet.
Cologne form & record check
The promoted team is surprising the league: with ten points from five games, Cologne is in 6th place, just ahead of Eintracht Frankfurt. The recent 1-0 win in Hoffenheim underlined the quality that Kwasniok is getting out of his team. The offense is running smoothly, with Kaminski already scoring three times and the team scoring reliably, especially in the first half. The high-scoring games against Wolfsburg (3-3) and Freiburg (4-1) impressively demonstrated their striking power.
However, the defense has clear weaknesses: Cologne has conceded goals in four of its last five games. Personnel problems are exacerbating the situation, as two central defenders, van den Berg (shoulder) and Kilian (cruciate ligament), are out indefinitely. Bülter is also struggling with Achilles tendon problems. Ragnar Ache is still waiting for his first league goal, but showed promise in the Cologne Cup. The challenge for Kwasniok will be to defend the impressive position despite these absences.
Cologne’s expected line-up will be marked by several absences. Van den Berg and Kilian are still missing in defense, putting pressure on the remaining center-backs. In midfield and attack, Kwasniok may have to do without Bülter. The exact formation and personnel will depend on the final training impressions. El Mala and Kaminski will be in the starting lineup in attack, while Ache is waiting for his chance.
Augsburg form & record check
After a series of four defeats, the 3-1 win against Wolfsburg finally brought success back to Augsburg, who are now in 14th place with six points. Wagner’s record after six matchdays is mixed: two wins, four defeats. What remains remarkable is the team’s scoring prowess coupled with a shaky defense, with at least three goals scored in each of the last five games. Augsburg has always scored in these games, but has also conceded.
The mix of experience and youthful enthusiasm is working increasingly well. Mert Kömür has excelled with two goals and two assists, while Noahkai Banks scored against Wolfsburg. The possible return of captain Gouweleeuw after participating in training would stabilize the defense. Elvis Rexhbecaj is struggling with back problems, which is why Kristijan Jakić is likely to move into midfield. Marius Wolf is available again after illness. The gap to Union Berlin and Wolfsburg is only a few points, so every point counts in the relegation battle. Wagner warns of the strong home crowd in Cologne and wants to exploit the hosts’ weaknesses.
Sandro Wagner could make several changes after the Wolfsburg win, with the final decisions to be made after the final training session. Captain Jeffrey Gouweleeuw completed parts of the team training after his medial ligament tear and is an option. If he is unavailable, Matsima, Zesiger, and Banks will once again defend in a back three.
In midfield, Jakić is ready to replace the injured Rexhbecaj. On the wing, Wolf could start again after recovering from illness. Up front, Wagner is likely to put his trust in the recently impressive duo of Kömür and Rieder. Essende has just returned from international duty in the Democratic Republic of Congo and is available as another attacking option. Wagner is known for his frequent rotations, with the starting lineup heavily dependent on the analysis of the opposition.
H2H Cologne – Augsburg Head-to-head comparison & statistics
The record clearly favors Cologne: in the last five encounters, the Billy Goats have remained unbeaten, celebrating three wins and two draws. Particularly impressive: Cologne won the second half in each of the last three games. The most recent encounters ended 1-1 twice (March 2024 in Augsburg, November 2023 in Cologne), before which Cologne won three times convincingly: 3-1 away in April 2023, 3-2 at home in October 2022, and 4-1 in Augsburg in April 2022.
All five games were high-scoring with at least two goals, with both teams scoring at least once. Augsburg has been waiting for a win against Cologne for over three years, and Wagner and his team are under pressure to finally end this negative streak.
