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Hertha BSC vs. 1. FC Köln
At the end of the 2022 Bundesliga year, the struggling capital club Hertha BSC have a home match against 1. FC Köln on Saturday afternoon. Kick-off is at 3:30 pm at Berlin’s Olympiastadion. What we think about this match and our predictions for it are revealed in our Hertha vs Cologne tip.
For Cologne’s coach Steffen Baumgart, it is even a small derby in a way. He is a member of Hertha’s local rivals Union Berlin and used to play for the Eisernen. Accordingly, a win in the last game of the year should also be a personal matter for him. With a win, his team would not only end their negative streak of four games in a row without a win, but would also send their upcoming opponents into a deep crisis.
Until a few weeks ago, the Berliners were not entirely dissatisfied with their performances this season, but after three defeats in a row, the bare figures can hardly be glossed over. After 14 match days, Hertha have only eleven points on their account, the last time the Alte Dame had fewer was 13 years ago (five points in the relegation season 2009/10). Against Cologne, the fourth defeat in a row threatens at the end of the year.
Hertha – Cologne info
– Date & Time: 12.11.2022, 15:30 hrs.
– Venue: Berlin, Olympiastadion
– Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 15
– TV broadcast: Sky
Hertha Form & Balance Check
At the latest after the last-minute defeat in Stuttgart (1:2), the third defeat in a row, even the last optimist in the capital will have realised that for Hertha BSC this season is once again about nothing other than staying in the league. Although the performances in most games of the current season were not bad at all, points are simply missing. Even VfL Bochum, who were already written off as certain relegation candidates before the change of coach, are now just one point behind the Berliners.
Unrewarded comebacks and late setbacks
If you look at the four defeats in the last five games individually, you can almost feel sorry for Hertha. Both against RB Leipzig and FC Bayern, the Old Lady fought back from 3-0 down to draw 3-2, but were not rewarded with anything worthwhile in the end. In Bremen (0:1) and Stuttgart (1:2), two late goals (85th and 90th +8) were responsible for the defeats. Nevertheless, Sandro Schwarz’s team must take the blame for not having put themselves in a better starting position earlier on.
Hertha facts & analysis
– 11 points from 14 games
– Last lost 1:2 in Stuttgart
– Lost 4 of last 5 matches
Cologne form & balance check
1. FC Köln is losing more and more ground in the table. For the first time this season, the Cathedral City side remained winless in four Bundesliga games in a row (three defeats, one draw). Most recently, the 2-0 defeat in Freiburg was followed by a 2-1 loss to Bayer Leverkusen, which was anything but deserved considering how the game went. Cologne’s head of licensing, Thomas Kessler, even went out on a limb and said after the game: “I have experienced many games against Bayer Leverkusen in the course of the time I have been with 1. FC Köln, but I have never lost a game as undeserved as today. ”
Are the players running on fumes?
But you can’t buy points with good performances, as the upcoming opponents from the capital know very well. That’s why the only thing that matters on Saturday in the Olympiastadion is to somehow say goodbye to the winter break with a sense of achievement. The players will certainly be longing for the well-deserved regeneration time. For the Cologne team, Berlin is already the 24th competitive match of the season – and that in only 106 days! On average, Steffen Baumgart’s team had to play every fourth day. It is obvious that the poor results of the last few weeks can also be explained by the high workload.
Cologne facts & analysis
– 17 points after 14 games
– Last lost 1:2 against Leverkusen
– None of the last 5 duels with Hertha lost
Predicted line-up – last update on 10 November 2022
There are a few question marks with the Berliners. The regenese Uremovic could displace Rogel from central defence. Instead of Sunjic, Boetius is an option in midfield. On the left wing, there will be a duel between Richter and Ejuke, as there has been in recent weeks. Ngankam and Nsona are still missing due to injury. Jovetic is also out for the last match of the year. Lee was absent in Stuttgart due to gastrointestinal problems, but could at least be in the squad against Cologne.
The Effzeh will have to do without Uth, Dietz, Andersson, Lemperle, Ljubicic and Limnios in Berlin. Schmitz and Hübers are still questionable for the match. Schindler and Soldo or Chabot are available as alternatives. Huseinbasic, Thielmann and Adamyan are other options on the offensive side.
Hertha – Cologne direct comparison & Statistics
The long-term direct comparison is narrowly in favour of the visitors from the cathedral city with 33 to 27 wins and 15 draws. In recent years, the Effzeh has had a relatively clear lead. Cologne have been unbeaten against Hertha for five Bundesliga encounters (three wins, two draws) – the last time FC had such a long winning streak against the Berliners was in the 1970s.
– Hertha BSC’s run of defeats in the Bundesliga has now lasted 3 games.
– The average number of goals in the first half in matches between Hertha BSC and 1. FC Köln is 1.4.
– A look at Hertha BSC: Dodi Lukebakio is the top scorer with 7 goals. 5 times Florian Kainz scored for 1. FC Köln.
– 3 games now the series of away defeats for 1. FC Köln in the Bundesliga continues.
