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RB Leipzig vs. 1. FC Köln
This weekend the Bundesliga continues with the 22nd matchday. It will be opened by the match between RB Leipzig and 1. FC Köln, in which we can expect an exciting duel between two offensively oriented teams. Kick-off is at 20:30 on Friday at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig. Both teams are neighbours in the race for the international places, so you could almost call it a top match. Our prediction for this match can be found in the following Leipzig vs Cologne tip.
Leipzig are actually one place behind Cologne. 31 points from 21 games are currently only enough for RB to be in seventh place, but the Champions League places they are aiming for are only three points away. With one point more, Cologne are in sixth place and can thus rank ahead of some teams that went into the season with much higher goals and financial resources.
Leipzig – Cologne Info
– Date & Time: 11.02.2022, at 20:30 hrs.
– Venue: Leipzig, Red Bull Arena
– Competition: Bundesliga, 22nd matchday
– TV broadcast: DAZN
Leipzig Form & Balance Check
RB Leipzig have presented themselves much improved after the turn of the year. New coach Domenico Tedesco seems to have used the winter break to bring his team closer to the required approach. The Saxons won all of their first four competitive games in 2022, scoring a full ten goals and conceding just one on the other side. Then, however, came last Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash against Bayern, which put paid to the Red Bulls’ streak.
Strong performance against Bayern
However, Leipzig sold themselves quite dearly against the record champions and delivered an exciting exchange of blows. Müller opened the scoring, but RB equalised with a goal from Silva. Lewandowski scored shortly before the break to give Munich the lead again, but Leipzig came back again. This time it was Nkunku who scored. In the end, however, all morale was of no use as Bayern also took a third lead through an own goal by Gvardiol and then carried it over the line to win 3:2.
Leipzig facts & analysis
– Rank 7 in the Bundesliga
– Last lost 2:3 against Bayern
– Previously 4 wins in a row
Cologne form & balance check
The Cologne side have made a decent start to the new year, although they still have room for improvement. The successful opening win against Hertha was followed by three competitive games without a win against Bayern (0:4), Hamburg in the cup (3:4 after penalty shootout) and Bochum (2:2). It was only last Saturday that the Geißböcke finally managed to record their next win, when they faced SC Freiburg. Anthony Modeste once again scored the decisive goal for FC, which was enough for a 1:0 victory.
Will Baumgart be out again?
Cologne had to do without head coach Steffen Baumgart. The successful coach, who was hired before the start of the season, tested positive for Corona and had to watch the game in isolation. He was also unable to take time off at the beginning of the week and will be absent in preparation for the match in Leipzig, but ideally he could still be on the sidelines. In addition, key player Ellyes Skhiri, who has missed a few games so far this season due to injury and was last active with Tunisia at the Africa Cup, is also an option again.
Cologne facts & analysis
– 6th place in the Bundesliga
– Last win 1:0 against Freiburg
– 1st win after previously 3 winless competitive games
Predicted line-up – last update on 9 February 2022
Only the long-term injured Halstenberg is currently missing at RB, otherwise everyone is fit. Simakan, Henrichs, Kampl, Forsberg, Szoboszlai and Poulsen are further starting options in Leipzig’s enormously wide-ranging squad. Cologne will also be able to field a full squad and are likely to call up returnee Skhiri for the starting eleven. Ljubicic and Duda are alternatives for Thielmann or Uth.
Leipzig – Cologne direct comparison & Statistics
RB Leipzig and 1. FC Köln have met only nine times so far, always in the Bundesliga. The Saxons have a razor-thin lead and have celebrated four victories, while Cologne have won two games. Three other games ended in draws, including the first leg this season (1-1). RB have thus not won in three duels with Cologne.
– The average number of goals scored in a meeting between RB Leipzig and 1. FC Köln is 3.2.
– The average number of goals scored in the first half in matches between RB Leipzig and 1. FC Köln is 1.4.
– The first leg ended in a draw. (1-1)
– The comparisons between the two clubs last season: 0-0 (home to RB Leipzig) and 2-1 (home to 1. FC Köln).
– A look at RB Leipzig: Christopher Nkunku is the top scorer with 10 goals. Anthony Modeste scored 14 times for 1. FC Köln.
