1.FC Köln – SC Freiburg
Our Cologne – Freiburg betting tip is: Both teams to score – 1.60 odds
- Both teams need a win
- Cologne have scored in two of their last three home games
- Freiburg have scored in each of their last six games
The Saturday evening game on this Bundesliga weekend promises to be very exciting. FC Köln will host SC Freiburg, with everything at stake for both teams. While the championship has been decided for several match days now, the fight for participation in the European Cup and staying out of the relegation places will continue in the remaining three match days.
Cologne have not yet given up and still believe they can stay in the league. Even if the draw against Mainz last weekend was actually too little from the Rhinelander’s point of view, the relegation place is still within sight. However, a defeat against Freiburg could seal Cologne’s early relegation.
Freiburg are competing with several other teams for the final international qualification spot. Due to the strong performance of the German teams in the international competitions, there is one more starting place for Europe, and SC have it in their own hands to qualify for the Conference League
Cologne – Freiburg info
- Date & Time: 04.05.2024, 18:30 hrs.
- Location: RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne
- Competition: Bundesliga, 32nd matchday
- TV broadcast/livestream: Sky
Cologne Form & Balance Check
Cologne undoubtedly showed morale on the final matchday and secured a point late on against Mainz, but missed the chance to reduce the gap to 16th place. With 23 points, FC are currently five points behind the relegation places. It is therefore still mathematically possible, but Cologne have their backs to the wall.
However, should Cologne lose and Mainz win at Heidenheim on Sunday, the cathedral city’s relegation would be sealed once and for all. Even a draw would no longer be enough in a scenario in which Mainz win and Union draw against Bochum. Cologne will fight to the last minute, even if their chances of staying up seem very slim
No goals, no wins
Despite some good performances, the Rhinelanders have too often failed to bring home the points in recent weeks. There has only been one win from the last eleven games and, above all, not enough points against direct rivals.
With the 1:1 draw against Mainz and the previous defeat against bottom team Darmstadt, Cologne missed out on five important points. The lack of points is mainly due to the lack of goals. With just 24 goals, Cologne have the worst offense in the league and score just 0.77 times per game
Cologne facts & analysis
- 17th place in the table
- Last game drawn
- Only one win from the last eleven games
Freiburg Form & Balance Check
Freiburg have also stumbled recently. Last weekend, they lost 2-1 to Wolfsburg and have collected just four points from their last four games. They are in seventh place in the table with 40 points and are therefore still in a promising position to take part in next year’s European Cup.
They currently hold the Conference League place, but are only one point ahead of Augsburg and Hoffenheim, and three points ahead of Heidenheim and Bremen. So the pressure is on for the Breisgauers, but Christian Streich’s team have a more than feasible remaining program ahead of them and have it in their own hands to play internationally next year
Personnel shortage in defense
Two Freiburg players were suspended from the recent match against Wolfsburg. Kilian Sildillia was sent off with a straight red card in the 64th minute and Nicolas Höfler collected his 10th yellow card. This means that two more regular players in the center are missing, as Matthias Ginter, Philipp Lienhart, Merlin Röhl and Kenneth Schmidt are also all unavailable due to injury. Fortunately, Lukas Kübler returns to the squad after serving his yellow card suspension and will probably take over Sildillia’s position in the backline
Freiburg facts & analysis
- Seventh place in the table
- Last game lost
- Won last two away games
Cologne play with a 4-2-3-1 system. We expect the defensive line to remain unchanged compared to the Mainz game. Florian Kainz could replace Luca Waldschmidt in the starting eleven in the playmaker position. We also expect to see two new players in the starting line-up at striker with Linton Maina and Sargis Adamyan. Mark Uth and Steffen Tigges will be on the bench for the time being.
Freiburg will have to make some changes due to the suspensions of Sildillia and Höfler. Kübler returns to the back three in the 3-4-2-1. Jordy Makengo would also be an option. The normally more attacking Lucas Höler will be moved into midfield. The attacking trio of Vincenzo Grifo, Roland Sallai and Michael Gregoritsch will remain as before
Cologne – Freiburg head-to-head & stats
45 matches have already been played in the history between Cologne and Freiburg. Freiburg have won more matches with 22 wins, while FC have come away victorious 15 times. The last three matches have all gone to the Breisgauers and Cologne’s last victory dates back to 2022. The very first time the two clubs met was in 1975. In that DFB Cup match, Cologne won 8:2, which was also the highest victory and the highest-scoring duel between the two teams.
Direct comparison (H2H)
