Borussia Dortmund – 1. FC Köln
The Bundesliga finally starts into the new season. The anticipation is almost tangible in German living rooms. A number of exciting games await us at the start of the new season. In Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion, there will be a hot duel right away, as BVB receives the Geißböcke from the cathedral city in the top match at 6:30 pm. Find out which team will start the new season with a success on Saturday in our Dortmund vs Cologne tip.
For Borussia, it is the first competitive match at home after the heartbreaking pre-season final against Mainz 05. In the first round of the cup, BVB won against Schott Mainz, the local rivals of the 05ers, in a rock-solid 6:1 victory the previous week.
The opponents from Cologne had to face VfL Osnabrück from the 2nd Bundesliga in the cup. And FC had its problems against the purple and white team and even had to go into extra time. In the end, however, the Geißböcke won 3:1 and would like to start their league campaign in Dortmund with a similar result.
Dortmund – Cologne info:
- Date & Time: 19.08.2023, 18:30 Uhr
- Game venue: Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund
- Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 1
- TV broadcast: Sky
Dortmund Form & Balance Check
The abbreviated preliminary round of the previous season did not go according to plan for BVB. After a few stumbles, BVB only finished 2022 in sixth place. In the new year, however, things went smoothly for Edin Terzic’s team. Nevertheless, it was only enough for second place in the end, and BVB once again failed to kick Bayern off the throne.
In the new season, however, the Borussians want to attack at the top again. At the start of the cup season, BVB at least celebrated its first success. Against the regional league team Schott Mainz, the Black and Yellows won 6:1.
Dortmund’s attacking spirit
BVB’s attacking trio of Sebastien Haller, Donyell Malen and Karim Adeyemi scored a total of 24 goals and provided 18 assists in the last 19 matches of the previous season. These three players are also expected to be firmly in the front line in the coming season. The two promising talents Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Julien Duranville are also available as replacements for the wing positions.
In the centre of attack, meanwhile, Youssoufa Moukoko is hoping for increased playing time. However, at just 1.79 metres tall, the 18-year-old differs significantly in type of player from Haller. With the Ivorian set to take part in the Africa Cup at the start of the new year, Borussia are also looking for another centre-forward.
Dortmund facts & analysis
- In the preseason, second place in the Bundesliga table.
- Only one Bundesliga defeat in 2023
- Won 6:1 against Schott Mainz in the cup the previous week
Cologne form & balance check
In the past season, 1. FC Köln faced various challenges. Despite a promising start in the Bundesliga, the team faltered towards the end of the Hinrunde and could only grab a single point in the last five games before the winter break. In addition, FC was eliminated in the group stage of the Conference League.
In the course of 2023, FC showed a slight improvement. At the end of the season, the billy goats secured a respectable 11th place in the table. To kick off the new season, the billy goats narrowly won 3:1 after extra time in the cup against the second-division team from Osnabrück last Monday.
What will happen without Skhiri?
Ellyes Skhiri was the central element in Cologne’s midfield in the previous season. The 54-time Tunisian international served as an anchor and played an almost irreplaceable role for the Geißböcke. However, in the new season, the engine of the midfield is now at Eintracht Frankfurt.
There is only one new addition in the midfield of the cathedral cities, namely Jacob Christensen. The 22-year-old Dane comes from FC Nordsjaelland and is expected to offer support to the Geißböcke’ central midfield in the coming season. Otherwise, the same players who already played for 1. FC Köln in the previous season will be in the spotlight.
Cologne facts & analysis
- Last season 11th in the Bundesliga.
- Only four away wins in pre-season
- Won 3:1 n.V. against Osnabrück in the cup the previous week
Predicted line-up – last update on 17 August 2023
We expect Dortmund to play in a 4-3-3, but Marco Reus will keep moving forward into attacking midfield, which then makes the basic system a 4-2-3-1. Niklas Süle is fit again for the kick-off and is expected to be back in the starting eleven.
In the new season, a midfield with a diamond shape is emerging for Cologne. Selke and Waldschmidt will work together in attack. Katterbach, Ljubicic, Thielmann, Tigges and Dietz, however, will be absent due to injury.
Dortmund – Cologne direct comparison & statistics
The clash between Cologne and Dortmund has a rich history. To date, there have already been 126 meetings between the two teams. BVB have emerged victorious 51 times, while FC have recorded 41 victories. In the previous season, the teams won on their own pitch in each of the direct duels.
- Both stadiums are only 74 kilometres apart.
- Dortmund were 29 points ahead of Cologne in the league in the pre-season.
- Dortmund with only one home defeat in past Bundesliga season
