1.FC Köln – Union Berlin
Our Cologne – Union betting tip is: Less than 2.5 goals – 1.87 odds
- Cologne have scored just one goal in their last four games
- In the last four games with Cologne involved, this bet was successful
- Union haven’t scored in four away games
The Bundesliga is entering the home straight with just two match days to go. The fight is still on in the basement of the table in particular. There is still a large pool of teams that still have to tremble, but this weekend there could be one or two preliminary decisions. On Saturday afternoon, there will be a direct duel between 1. FC Köln and Union Berlin. Find out who will win in this clash in our Cologne – Union betting tip.
Cologne are still clinging on to their last chance. In purely mathematical terms, they can still reach the relegation places, but they definitely need a win against Berlin to do so. Any other result would mean direct relegation.
Union, on the other hand, have been slipping further and further towards the relegation places in recent weeks and were beaten by a direct rival in the table basement last weekend. The 4:3 defeat against Bochum means that the air is getting thinner for the Berliners and they must score against Cologne
Cologne – Union Info
- Date & Time: 11.05.2024, 3:30 pm
- Location: RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne
- Competition: Bundesliga, 33rd matchday
- TV broadcast/livestream: Sky
Cologne Form & Balance Check
Cologne have the pistol on their chest, because only a win can save them. The draw on the last matchday was not enough, and even if relegation is still mathematically possible, the signs at the Geißbockheim point to relegation.
They have just two points from their last four games and, with 24 points, coach Timo Schultz’s team are still 17th in the table. They are five points behind the relegation places and if Cologne do not win or Mainz score against Dortmund on Saturday evening, relegation will be sealed once and for all.
Also without goal threat in the final spurt
Only one goal was scored by FC in the last four games. As a result, the great comeback failed to materialize and Cologne did not manage to get the wins against direct rivals Darmstadt and Mainz that they probably needed. The offense was again pale against Freiburg and Cologne remained completely harmless with a measly four shots on goal, only one corner and hardly any penalty area scenes.
This problem has been a recurring theme throughout the season and with a total of 24 goals, FC are the worst attacking team in the league. Nothing changed in the final spurt either and so it is likely that Cologne will be relegated to the German lower house
Cologne facts & analysis
- 17th place in the table
- Last match draw
- Only one goal from the last four games
Union Form & Balance Sheet Check
The Berliners also continue to tremble. Their main concern is not to be overtaken by Mainz and slip into the relegation places. Due to a weak phase in recent weeks, they have made the season finale unnecessarily tense from their point of view. They failed to win any of their last six games and collected a pitiful two points.
The Köpenickers are now just one point ahead of Mainz on 30 points and are under huge pressure against Cologne, who are fighting for survival. However, if the Ironmen win in Cologne and Mainz suffer a defeat in Dortmund, Union would be safe ahead of the final matchday
Bjelica fired
The bosses of Berlin have pulled the ripcord after the last game and fired coach Nenad Bjelica two match days before the end. After president Dirk Zingler had promised Bjelica his full support on Sunday, the Croatian was released by the club just 24 hours later. Marco Grote will now take over as interim coach.
The actual U19 coach will be supported by assistant coach Marie-Louise Eta and Sebastian Bönig. It remains to be seen whether this change will actually provide the hoped-for fresh impetus or whether the team will sink further into chaos as a result. The new coach was positive and said in an interview that he knows the team well and is convinced that they can stay in the league
Union facts & analysis
- 15th place in the table
- Last game lost
- Only one point from the last five games
The FC will play with a 4-2-1-3 formation. Compared to the last game against Freiburg, we expect Florian Kainz to be back in the starting eleven. Eric Martel was slightly injured during the week. Should he not be ready for action, he will be replaced by Jacob Christensen. Steffen Tigges returns to the first eleven in attack. Linton Maina and Luca Waldschmitt come off the bench.
We expect Union to play in a 3-5-2 system. It’s difficult to say whether the new coach will make any major changes to the starting line-up. We don’t expect any changes in defense for the time being, although Robin Knoche might get a chance. Yorbe Vertessen could also be deployed up front instead of Kevin Volland
Cologne – Union head-to-head & stats
17 meetings have already taken place between Cologne and Union in history. Nine of these matches have been in the German top flight, while eight have been in the Bundesliga 2. The Ironmen lead the direct comparison with nine wins to five and have also dominated recent history.
The Köpenickers have won seven and drawn two of their last nine matches. This means that Cologne have yet to win a single game against the Berliners in the Bundesliga. The historic first duel took place in 2002. Back then, however, FC rolled over Union and won 7:0.
Direct comparison (H2H)
