Table of Contents
1. FC Köln – FSV Mainz
The Bundesliga is gradually approaching the decisive phase, as the 28th matchday is already scheduled for the upcoming weekend. The championship and the European places are extremely competitive this season, but the relegation battle also promises pure excitement. Just eight points separate 13th place from 18th place, and 1. FC Köln, who welcome Mainz 05 to their home stadium this weekend, are one place above this critical zone.
This season, 1. FC Köln has shown rather mixed performances and currently occupies twelfth place in the table. In the new year, the team from Müngersdorf has only recorded three victories so far. Last week, however, FC finally recorded another victory. In the away match in Augsburg, the Geißböcke fought their way to a 3:1 victory.
Their opponents from Mainz, on the other hand, are having an excellent 2023. The 05ers have won six of their ten second-round matches so far and have been unbeaten in the league for eight games. Mainz are even only two points behind Leverkusen in sixth place and therefore even have legitimate hopes of the Europa League. Find out whether these dreams will gain further ground this weekend in our Cologne vs Mainz tip.
Cologne – Mainz info:
- Date & Time: 15.04.2023, 15:30 Uhr
- Game venue: RheinEnergieSTADION, Cologne
- Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 28
- TV broadcast: Sky
Cologne Form & Balance Check
Köln’s form has been very changeable this season. The Geißböcke started well this season, but then gradually slumped. Before the last matchday, FC even remained six games without a win and thus slipped down to 13th place in the table.
Last Saturday, however, the cathedral city stopped the negative trend. In Augsburg, FC won 3:1 and thus climbed back up one place. Cologne now have an eight-point lead over VfB Stuttgart in 16th place and should thus have staved off relegation to the 2nd Bundesliga.
Attack without consistency
The FC scored three times against FC Augsburg. 1. FC Köln’s offence has not necessarily been in top form in recent weeks. Before the last matchday, the team from the cathedral city scored only one goal in six Bundesliga matches. In ten of the last 17 league games, FC even remained goalless.
However, Cologne is by no means the weakest offensive team in the league. The Geißböcke’ attack, however, regularly vacillates between genius and madness. In addition to the many goalless games, FC have also scored three or more goals in a match seven times this season in the Bundesliga. Especially the 7:1 against Bremen still makes the Geißbock hearts beat faster.
Cologne facts & analysis
- Currently twelfth in the league
- Only two wins in last eleven games
- First four home defeats this season
Mainz form & balance check
Mainz 05 got off to a flying start in this Bundesliga season. In the first eleven games, the Rheinhessen side suffered only three defeats and, after a 5-0 win over 1. FC Köln in the first leg, even occupied sixth place in the table. However, this was followed by six Bundesliga games in a row without a win.
Currently, however, coach Bo Svensson’s team is once again in outstanding form. The 05ers are currently without defeat for eight games in the league. The previous week, Mainz drew 2-2 with SV Werder Bremen in a game with an absolutely wild final phase. FSV are in eighth place in the table, just two points behind sixth place.
It’s all in the head
Mainz 05, under coach Bo Svensson, follows a physical playing philosophy that focuses on winning the ball quickly and creating advantageous positions. They do not shy away from tougher assignments, which is reflected in the statistics – Mainz is the team with the second most fouls in the Bundesliga.
Crosses from the track players are also an important part of the style of play, which is why FSV signed Ludovic Ajorque in the winter, a strong headed attacker whose height of 1.97 metres makes him a valuable target for crosses. So far, the 05ers have brought the second most crosses of all Bundesliga teams near the opponent’s penalty area, feeding their striker.
Mainz facts & analysis
- Eighth in the Bundesliga
- Since eight games in the league without defeat
- Six away wins already this Bundesliga season
Predicted line-up – last update on 13 April 2023
Coach Steffen Baumgart will again field his team in a 4-2-3-1. Selke is set in attack for the Domstadtern. Maina and Schindler will support him on the flanks. Midfield powerhouse Ellyes Skhiri, however, will be missing for Cologne on Saturday with a yellow suspension.
The opponents from Mainz will again start in a 3-4-2-1. Ludovic Ajorque will operate as a target player in the centre of the attack. Widmer and Caci will plough the rails for Mainz and provide plenty of pressure up front.
Cologne – Mainz direct comparison & statistics
To date, 1. FC Köln and 1. FSV Mainz 05 have faced each other in 35 competitive matches. The balance in these duels is completely balanced so far. Both teams have been victorious 13 times so far. In the first leg, however, FSV dismantled Cologne 5:0 at home in the Mewa Arena.
- Both teams are separated by ten points in the league.
- Köln have failed to score in 6 of their 13 home games in the Bundesliga this season.
- Did you know that Mainz score 26% of their goals between the 76-90 minute mark?
