Bayer Leverkusen – 1. FC Köln
Due to the European competitions during the week, three games will take place on Sunday on Matchday 7 in the Bundesliga. The first match will be a duel between the Rhinelanders at the BayArena. However, the signs before the game could hardly be more different.
On the one hand, Leverkusen are in outstanding form and lead the Bundesliga after six games with five wins and one draw. And in the Europa League, too, the Werkself scored a 2-1 win against Molde on Thursday. The visitors from Cologne, on the other hand, are still waiting for their first win of the season and are in penultimate place in the table with just one point.
The upcoming match on Sunday against a rival from the Rhineland should provide Bayer 04 with additional motivation. After all, the Werkself won the only duel against a Bundesliga team from the Rhineland so far, with a 3-0 victory in Gladbach. Whether this impressive series of the Werkself continues, you can find out in our Leverkusen vs Cologne tip.
Leverkusen – Cologne Info:
- Date & Time: 08.10.2023, 15:30 Uhr
- Game venue: BayArena, Leverkusen
- Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 7
- TV broadcast: DAZN
Leverkusen Form & Balance Check
Some pundits predicted before the season that Leverkusen had assembled a team capable of winning a title this season. But many were probably thinking more of the Europa League or the DFB Cup. And the Werkself has done well in these two competitions so far, winning the first two group games in Europe and also beating Teutonia Ottensen in the first round of the cup.
But at the moment, Leverkusen are also on course for the championship in the Bundesliga. Even if it is only a snapshot after six match days, Bayer 04 is currently enthroned at the top of the league with only two lost points. In the previous week, Leverkusen also came out on top at Mainz 05, winning 3:0.
How long will Alonso stay?
Under the Bayerkreuz currently presents an established system of play under the tactical direction of coach Xabi Alonso. Bayer relies on aggressive counterattacks to exploit the speed of its strikers. But Leverkusen also show impressive qualities in possession. As a result, the Werkself has the best offence in the Bundesliga with a total of 20 goals scored.
The Spanish coach, who previously coached Real Sociedad’s second team, already led his team from the bottom of the table to the European places last season. This performance is apparently arousing interest from other teams. According to reports, Alonso is on the list of Real Madrid, where he was already active as a player from 2009 to 2014.
Leverkusen facts & analysis
- Best offence in the Bundesliga
- Leading team in the Bundesliga
- Won 3:0 in Mainz the previous week
Cologne form & balance check
Even before the start of the season, it was clear to fans of 1. FC Köln that their team would probably not show outstanding football this season and attack the places for European competitions. The declared goal for the Geißböcke was rather to avoid relegation to the 2nd Bundesliga once again.
So far, however, coach Steffen Baumgart’s team has only succeeded to a limited extent. After six games, FC is still waiting for its first win of the season and, with just one point, occupies 17th place in the table, just ahead of bottom-placed Mainz. Last week, the Geißböcke also lost 0:2 at home to VfB Stuttgart in a tight game.
The effort is right
The biggest problem for FC so far this season is probably the lack of quality in some parts of the team. Cologne have rarely managed to create chances and have only scored four goals, which is the worst figure in the entire Bundesliga. In addition, the Geißböcke have the second least possession in the league with a share of only 45 percent.
One thing that is always of utmost importance for coach Steffen Baumgart’s teams is something Cologne can also rely on this year. And that one thing is the necessary commitment of all players on the pitch. For example, in what is still a short season, Cologne have the second most intense runs and the second furthest running distance of all Bundesliga teams.
Cologne facts & analysis
- Currently in 17th place in the league.
- Still without a win in the Bundesliga
- Lost 0:2 against Stuttgart in the previous week
Predicted line-up – last update on 7 October 2023
During the week, coach Xabi Alonso rotated a few positions in the Europa League. Among others, newcomer Nathan Tella scored his first goal in a Bayer shirt. On Sunday, however, the Englishman will probably sit on the bench again, because we expect the same starting eleven as last time against Mainz.
We think that FC will do without the double striker Selke and Tigges on Sunday and will play in a 4-2-3-1. Benno’s Schmitz will probably not be available against the Werkself either and will be out injured along with Katterbach, Martel, Olesen, Uth and Dietz.
Leverkusen – Cologne direct comparison & statistics
In the 88 Rhineland duels with 1. FC Köln so far, Leverkusen have recorded 34 victories, while the Cathedral City side have only emerged victorious 25 times. Last year, the away team won in each of the direct encounters.
- Leverkusen have won only one of their last four matches against Cologne.
- Both stadiums are only 15 kilometres apart.
- Leverkusen are still without a defeat in the league, Cologne are still without a win
