1st FC Cologne – Bayern Munich
The tension in the Bundesliga reaches its absolute peak on Saturday. The 34th matchday has many exciting games in store. Many decisions will only be made in the very last matches. One of them is the decision in the championship battle. Second-placed Munich will try everything to win their away match in Cologne. The record champions relinquished their lead in the standings the previous week when they lost 3-1 at home to RB Leipzig. Before the last match, the FCB is now two points behind the league leader from Dortmund. However, the goal difference is clearly in favour of the Munich team.
FCB’s defeats came in the previous week despite a half-time lead. In fact, FC Bayern has already conceded points eight times this season after they had previously been in the lead. In total, 19 points have been given away as a result, the first time this has happened in over 30 years. The last time a similar situation occurred was in the 1991/92 season.
The hosts from Cologne hope that this fate will be repeated again this weekend. In the last game of the season, however, nothing is at stake for the Geißböcke. The FC already prevented themselves from going down to the 2nd Bundesliga a few weeks ago. Nonetheless, the Cathedral City side picked up seven points from their last three games. Whether the good form of the Geißböcke will continue at the weekend, you can find out in our Cologne vs. Bayern tip.
Cologne – Bayern info:
- Date & Time: 27.05.2023, 15:30 Uhr
- Game venue: RheinEnergieSTADION, Cologne
- Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 34
- TV broadcast: Sky
Cologne Form & Balance Check
Just a few weeks ago, 1. FC Köln were still in a threatening situation, as they were in danger of being dragged into the relegation battle after all. The Geißböcke had a weak start to the second half of the season and remained winless for six games in a row. During this period, FC only managed to score once.
But after the 1:6 defeat against BVB on matchday 25, Cologne’s form improved again. Since the Dortmund defeat, FC conceded only one defeat in the next eight games. Before the matchday, Cologne is thus in tenth place. 1. FC Köln will end the season between ninth and eleventh place. All in all, Cologne fans will probably be satisfied with this season.
Two legends leave the team
Davie Selke is currently the man of the moment in the cathedral city. The striker has scored four times in the last five games. The 28-year-old has already flashed his skills once this Bundesliga season against FC Bayern, when he scored on a penalty kick for Hertha BSC on matchday 13. With a goal on Saturday, the attacker would make history and become the first player to succeed against Bayern in a Bundesliga season for two different clubs.
The spotlight will be on other players on Saturday, though. On match day, Jonas Hector will not only celebrate his 33rd birthday, but also his farewell to an active career. At the same time, Timo Horn will also be leaving FC after serving the club faithfully for an impressive 21 years. An emotional farewell for the long-serving goalkeeper.
Cologne facts & analysis
- Currently in 10th place in the league.
- Only one defeat in last eight games
- First five home defeats this season
Bayern form & balance check
Many football fans are wondering these days what is currently going on in Julian Nagelsmann’s head. When the 35-year-old was given leave of absence from FC Bayern in March, the record champions still had a realistic chance of winning the treble. Since then, however, things have gone downhill in Munich.
Under new coach Thomas Tuchel, Bayern not only dropped out of the Champions League and the DFB Cup, but also slipped from first place in the league in the season’s final spurt. The defeat in the previous week against Leipzig means that the FCB will enter the final matchday in second place in the table.
Gnabry in top form
Serge Gnabry scored the interim 1-0 against RB Leipzig the previous week to continue his impressive goal haul, giving him a strong five goals in his past four Bundesliga games.
With a total of 14 goals, he leads FC Bayern’s list of goal scorers and thus achieved his personal best this season. Especially against Cologne, Gnabry frequently showed his goal-scoring prowess, as he has already hit the net eleven times in ten Bundesliga matches against the Geißböcke. A remarkable record.
Bayern facts & analysis
- Bundesliga second in the table.
- Best offence in the Bundesliga
- Best defence in the Bundesliga
Predicted lineup – last update on 25 May 2023
Coach Steffen Baumgart will again line up his Cologne side in a 4-2-3-1. Selke will probably return to the starting eleven against Bayern. For Jonas Hector it will be the last game in his professional career. Timo Horn, on the other hand, will probably not be used.
Despite the defeat against Leipzig, we expect FC Bayern to play with the same basic formation. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting will probably still not be fit enough for the starting eleven on Saturday. For Cancelo, it could be his last appearance in the FCB kit.
Cologne – Bayern direct comparison & Statistics
FC Bayern have triumphed in 55 of their 103 duels against 1. FC Köln so far. In contrast, the Geißböcke have only managed 24 victories against the record champions. Although FC have managed a few surprises against Bayern in the past, the Munich side have been victorious most of the time recently. In the last 17 games against 1. FC Köln, Bayern won an impressive 15 times. However, the last meeting on matchday 17 of the season resulted in a draw with a 1-1 score.
- The two teams are separated by 26 points in the league.
- The last win for Cologne against Bayern was on 05.02.2011.
- Cologne have failed to score in 7 of their 16 home games in the Bundesliga this season
- Did you know that Bayern Munich score 28% of their goals between the 31-45 minute mark?
