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TSG Hoffenheim vs. 1. FC Köln
The 8th matchday of the Bundesliga will be opened by TSG Hoffenheim and 1. FC Köln in Friday night’s match. After the Bundesliga and many other European leagues had to take a break due to the international break, things will now continue. The cathedral cities in particular want to pick up where they left off a fortnight ago. Cologne won convincingly against Fürth and even climbed to a European Cup place. Of course, this is only a snapshot, but the Effzeh has grown under coach Baumgart into a real unit that makes it more than uncomfortable for all Bundesliga teams.
Hoffenheim, on the other hand, have only won once in the last five matchdays and went into the international break with a defeat against Stuttgart. Once again, coach Hoeneß is the main target of criticism and must deliver. Therefore, it is very convenient for the Sinsheimers to be able to play the match against Cologne in their own stadium. Everything you need to know about Friday night’s match can be found in our Hoffenheim – Cologne betting tip.
Hoffenheim – Cologne Info
– Date & Time: 15.10.2021, at 20:30 hrs.
– Venue: Sinsheim, Pre-Zero Arena
– Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 8
– TV broadcast: DAZN
Hoffenheim Form & Balance Check
After Hoffenheim surprisingly won their last home match against strong Wolfsburg 3:1, Sebastian Hoeneß’ team could not follow up on that performance and went into the international break with a 3:1 defeat in Stuttgart. TSG have been absolutely inconsistent this season as well, fluctuating wildly with their performances on the pitch. This was not to be expected as Hoffenheim started the new season with an exclamation mark when they won 4-0 at Augsburg in their opener. However, the Sinsheimers failed to consistently reproduce this performance. They had to wait four weeks for the next victory, which they celebrated against Wolfsburg.
Coach criticised
Hoffenheim also played an unwanted part in the relegation battle in the final third of last season. TSG wants to avoid that at all costs this season in order to once again aim for the European Cup places. But it doesn’t look like they will be in the Europa League at the moment, as the win against Wolfsburg was their only one in six matchdays. Once again, voices are being raised that coach Hoeneß is not the right coach to lead TSG back to Europe. Hoffenheim is simply celebrating too few successes to live up to its own expectations.
– Only 1 win from the last 6 games
– Last match lost
– Last home game won
– Rank 11
Cologne form & balance check
The 1. FC Köln presents itself as if changed under the new coach Steffen Baumgart. Cologne transformed itself from a team that was almost relegated last season to a serious contender for the European Cup places. Currently, the Effzeh are even in 6th place in the table and would thus be eligible to participate in the Conference League. Of course, this is only a snapshot at the current stage of the Bundesliga. But Cologne earned this position in the table when they beat Greuther Fürth 3:1 and thus went into the international break with a sense of achievement.
Unbeatable?
While Cologne do not win every game, they make it more than difficult for their opponents to defeat them. Only FC Bayern has been able to beat Baumgart’s team so far. But even at the record champions, Cologne played some strong football and even made up a 2:0 deficit before losing the game 3:2 shortly before the end. But this defeat was the only one in the season so far. Neither Frankfurt nor Leipzig won over Cologne. Thus, the Effzeh has been unbeaten for five matchdays. Therefore, in our opinion, Cologne will not travel to Sinsheim as underdogs, even if the bookmakers think otherwise.
Cologne facts & Analysis
– Won last game
– Unbeaten for 5 games
– Not yet won away from home
– Rank 6
Predicted line-up – last update on 13 October 2021
Lately TSG 1899 Hoffenheim have been operating in an attacking 4-3-3 system, using dangerous wing play to cause problems for their opponents’ defences. However, coach Hoeneß has his team score goals just as often via a centre-oriented game. Therefore, TSH could also line up in a 4-2-2 formation in the home match against Cologne. Hoffenheim plays variably and radiates goal threat, even if this went wrong in the last match.
Cologne, on the other hand, focus on compactness in midfield and therefore line up with a 4-1-3-2 system. The three attacking midfielders move out to the wings to be able to hurt the opponent on the counterattack. With two strikers in the centre, the Effzeh always have two players ready to play who can convert crosses and long balls.
Hoffenheim – Cologne direct comparison & statistics
The clash between Hoffenheim and Cologne has taken place 25 times so far. The TSG has the slightly more positive record, as they have already defeated Cologne eleven times, whereas the Effzeh has only been victorious eight times. Hoffenheim also won the last encounter, beating Cologne 3:1.
– Hoffenheim won the last match
– Hoffenheim won six in a row over Cologne
– Cologne are without a win against Hoffenheim for ten games in the Bundesliga
– Cologne last won at Hoffenheim in 2014
