Table of Contents
1. FC Köln vs. FC Augsburg
The first half of the Bundesliga is coming to an end. A total of three match days are still to be played before the teams go into the relatively short winter break. As a first conclusion, one can say that there were a few surprises. For example, clubs like SC Freiburg and Union Berlin are playing at the top, while Gladbach, Leipzig and Stuttgart are not far from the relegation zone.
FCA is also in the middle of the relegation battle. In the guest game in Cologne, they have the chance to jump down from the relegation spot. Our Cologne – Augsburg tip will tell you everything you need to know about this clash on Friday evening. Will FCA make a small escape or will Steffen Baumgart’s boys knock on the door of the international places again?
1. FC Köln are hardly recognisable this season. Last season, they managed to avoid relegation with a slap on the wrist, and now, under Baumgart, they are firmly in mid-table with potential for the top. At FCA, on the other hand, the motto is: The groundhog says hello every year. In the meantime, it has become almost a tradition for the Augsburg team to be in the relegation battle. However, it is a testament to their strong will that they manage to escape the second division year after year.
Cologne – Augsburg Info
– Date & Time: 10/12/2021, at 20:30.
– Venue: RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne
– Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 15
– TV broadcast: DAZN
Cologne Form & Balance Check
The 1. FC Köln started very furious into this season. 12 points were the result after the first seven games. It should also be mentioned that this includes the narrow defeat against Bayern and the draws against Leipzig and Freiburg. After that, however, there was a slump in performance. Starting with the 5:0 defeat in Sinsheim. This was followed by four games in which a total of only three points were scored. Things picked up again in the derby against the Gladbach Borussians. The Foals were shot out of the stadium with a score of 4:1 and all Cologne fans were up in arms. However, this euphoria was severely curbed on the last matchday. Because a 1:1 in Bielefeld is far too little for Cologne’s standards. Not only the result, but also the performance was not particularly appealing. In the upcoming home match against FCA, FC can make up a lot for the difficult last few weeks with a win.
Fearful opponents from Swabia?
The Cathedral City side have an atrocious record against FCA. They have only won the first (2011) and the last direct encounter (April 2021) in the Bundesliga to date. In between, FC remained winless against Augsburg for 12 games. Only against Union Berlin do the Cologne team score fewer points on average than against FCA. So are the Fuggerstädter the big fear opponent of FC Köln? We will see on Friday. The current table and form, however, speak in favour of the Domstädter.
Cologne facts & analysis
– Cologne much better than last season
– Still unbeaten at home this season
– Won only 2 of the 14 Bundesliga encounters against FCA
– Last away duel won 2:3
Augsburg form & balance check
FCA have established themselves in the Bundesliga for years. At the beginning, there were many who didn’t believe in it, yet the Fuggerstädter are in the mix every year in the German top flight. This season is no exception. This season, as always, it is clear that Augsburg will have to fight to stay in the league. With 13 points from 14 games, they are even below a 1-point average per game. That’s why they are currently in the relegation zone, and rightly so. For a short time, many Swabian supporters had hopes that things could get better this season. After the furious two victories at home against Stuttgart (4:1) and Bayern (2:1), many already had the European Cup on their lips. However, this euphoria was nipped in the bud with a weak 2:2 in Berlin and the recent bitter home defeat against Bochum. However, it must also be said that the centre-back duo of captain Gouweleeuw and Shootigstar Oxford have been missing in these last two games.
A Reece-en gap
What a play on words. However, there is also a lot of truth in it. For Reece Oxford, along with Gouweleeuw, has left a huge gap in FCA’s defence over the past two games. Gumny and Winther have tried to fill it, but with only mediocre success. There is one piece of good news, as the captain reports back ready for action. Only the use of Reece Oxford will still be more than questionable. His absence will be doubly painful against Cologne, who are strong on headers.
Augsburg facts & analysis
– Augsburg in the middle of the relegation battle
– Only three points away from home
– Captain Gouweleeuw is back
– Big question mark at Oxford
Predicted line-up – last update on 8 December 2021
The Cathedral City side will have to rotate compared to the game against Bielefeld. The previously injured Hector will return to the starting eleven, which means Benno Schmitz will move back to the right side of defence. In the offensive, rotations are difficult, as for example a Mark Uth is injured. FCA are happy about the return of captain Gouweleeuw. This will see Gumny return on the right and Framberger is back on the bench. Offensively, the Fuggerstädter have no reason to change.
Cologne – Augsburg direct comparison & statistics
There have been 19 meetings between FC Köln and FC Augsburg so far. On the FC side, there are five wins, seven draws and seven defeats. In the Bundesliga alone, things look even bleaker for the Cathedral City side. They were only able to win the first match in 2011 and the last one in April this year. In between, they remained winless 12 times. In addition, FC has only managed one win at home in the Bundesliga against FCA.
– Balance speaks for Augsburg
– FCA have lost only 2 of their 14 Bundesliga encounters
– Cologne have only won once at home against Augsburg
– Cologne won last meeting
