Table of Contents
1. FC Köln – Borussia Mönchengladbach
For most fans in football Germany, the highlight of this weekend rises on Saturday evening. Then FC Bayern Munich will meet Borussia Dortmund in the classic (Bayern – Dortmund betting tips). However, many people from the Rhineland will see things differently. Because on Sunday afternoon, the big Rhineland derby will take place on the 26th matchday in the Bundesliga. But this match also has a lot of sporting explosiveness. Find out who will win this hot duel in our Cologne vs Gladbach tip.
Not much is going right for 1. FC Köln at the moment. The Geißböcke have only picked up one point in their last five Bundesliga games and lost 1:6 at BVB before the international break. As a result, Cologne slipped down to 13th place. In addition, it became known during the week that FIFA had imposed a transfer ban on FC for the next two transfer periods.
But the upcoming opponents from Gladbach are also currently experiencing a slump in the league. The Foals have not won any of their last four games in the Bundesliga. The European places are increasingly out of reach for coach Daniel Farke’s team. Before the international break, VfL could not get beyond a 2-2 draw at home against Bremen, who were short of substitutes.
Cologne – Gladbach Info:
– Date & Time: 02.04.2023, 15:30 hrs.
– Venue: RheinEnergieSTADION, Cologne
– Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 26
– TV broadcast: DAZN
Cologne Form & Balance Check
1. FC Köln have already absorbed a number of setbacks this season. Coach Steffen Baumgart’s team is struggling to stay in the Bundesliga and has already dropped out of the UEFA Conference League group stage. In the last five league games, FC have only picked up one point. On the last matchday, they also suffered a clear 1:6 defeat against Borussia Dortmund. Nevertheless, Cologne is currently still in 13th place in the table.
To make matters worse, FIFA has now imposed a transfer ban on FC for two transfer periods. The subject of this punishment is irregularities in the transfer of the Slovenian young player Jaka Cuber Potocnik.
No attacking flow on the Rhine
Ironically, 17-year-old Jaka Cuber Potocnik is a centre-forward. Because the cathedral city’s biggest sporting problem this season is in attack. At the start of the 2023 football year, FC scored seven goals against Werder Bremen and the Geißbock offence was also convincing at home against Frankfurt, but otherwise Cologne’s goal tally is rather modest.
In the other 13 of the last 15 Bundesliga games, the Billy Goats scored only four goals. At least Davie Selke scored against BVB, after 1. FC Köln had previously gone without a goal in four consecutive Bundesliga games. The goal finally brought relief after a drought of 406 minutes.
Cologne facts & analysis
– Only one win in last nine Bundesliga games.
– In 16th place in the second round table
– Only six points ahead of the relegation places
Gladbach form & balance check
Borussia Mönchengladbach made a promising start to the season under new coach Daniel Farke. After only one defeat in the first seven games, the team seemed to be on its way towards Europe. However, the Borussians’ form deteriorated rapidly as the season progressed. The Foals are currently in tenth place and are already nine points behind the sixth place in the table, which means qualification for the Europa League.
The second half of the season has not gone as well as hoped. In the first eight games, VfL only won two, drew three and lost three. In the last match before the international break, it was only enough for a 2-2 draw against Werder Bremen, although Gladbach created a large amount of chances.
Weak chance conversion
Coach Daniel Farke’s system of play relies on a flourishing offensive. With 40 goals, the Foals also have the seventh-best offence in the Bundesliga. However, VfL have been very generous with their chance-taking lately. After three goalless games in a row, Gladbach scored twice again against Bremen, but there could have been many more goals in the match.
In the last duel with Bremen, Gladbach created numerous very good chances, including 21 shots on the Werder goal and five major chances. Despite an xG value of 3.39, however, the Foals failed to put the ball in the North Germans’ goal more than twice.
Gladbach facts & analysis
– Tenth place in the Bundesliga with 31 points.
– Only one win away from home in the Bundesliga season
– Only two wins in 2023
Predicted line-up – last update on 2 April 2023
Coach Baumgart tried a 4-4-2 against BVB without success. Therefore, we expect FC to play in a 4-2-3-1 again. Selke will probably stay in the centre of attack after his goal against Dortmund. Kainz and Maina will flank him on the flanks.
Borussia from Mönchengladbach will also start the game in a 4-2-3-1. Ramy Bensebaini is now returning from his suspension after his freak-out against Freiburg. Florian Neuhaus also performed well behind the front line recently.
Cologne – Gladbach direct comparison & Statistics
There have been 129 Rhineland derbies between 1. FC Köln and Borussia Mönchengladbach. Gladbach won 61 of these duels and FC emerged victorious 45 times. However, Borussia won the first leg more than clearly with 5:2. Matchwinner then was Ramy Bensebaini with two goals.
– The two stadiums are only 44 kilometres apart.
– Gladbach won only one of their last four games against Cologne
– Did you know that Cologne score 24% of their goals between the 76-90 minute?
– When Gladbach lead 1-0 in away games, they win 41% of the games
