FC Köln vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach preview: Rhine derby bragging rights up for grabs | OneFootball

FC Köln

Köln are sitting in 14th place and just a point above the bottom three after winning six, drawing seven and losing 13 of their 26 league games this season. Lukas Kwasniok’s side have slipped towards the danger zone after failing to win any of their previous six matches since beating Wolfsburg at the end of January (D2, L4). They did at least pick up a point in last Saturday’s clash with Hamburg at Volksparkstadion, where Said El Mala cancelled out Fabio Vieira’s opener in a 1-1 draw. 

While Köln picked up a useful point in their fight for survival, the result extended their winless away run to nine Bundesliga matches. With that in mind, die Geißböcke will be looking forward to returning to the familiar surroundings of the RheinEnergieStadion for the 100th Rhine derby in Bundesliga history. 

The hosts have won two of their previous three home meetings with Gladbach, including a 3-1 success in their most recent encounter at RheinEnergieStadion in October 2023. As a result of that win, Köln are now have the chance to record back-to-back home wins against Gladbach for the first time since following a 1-0 win in January 2004 with a 2-1 victory in September 2005. 

Team News

Kwasniok is unable to call upon Timo Hübers, Luca Kilian, Joël Schmied and Alessio Castro-Montes due to injury. Forward Fynn Schenten will miss out through illness, while Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Sebastian Sebulonsen are suspended for the derby. 

Predicted lineup: Schwäbe; Krauß, Van den Berg, Özkacar, Lund; Jóhannesson, Martel; Maina, Kamiński, S. El Mala; Ache

Gladbach

Gladbach are sitting three points above their rivals in 12th position after winning seven, drawing seven and losing 12 of their 26 league games this season. Die Fohlen have boosted their survival hopes with two wins in their last three matches. After claiming a 1-0 victory over Union Berlin, Gladbach fell to a heavy 4-1 defeat away to Bayern Munich before returning to winning ways in last Friday’s home clash with St. Pauli. Kevin Stöger and Franck Honorat grabbed a goal apiece to fire Gladbach to a 2-0 win at Borussia-Park, representing their third win in five home games (D1, L1).

In contrast to their home form, Gladbach have failed to win any of their last seven away games since beating Mainz 1-0 at the start of December. In fact, Eugen Polanski’s side have lost each of their previous three road trips, which will not inspire confidence ahead of the derby, especially as they have not beaten Köln at the RheinEnergieStadion since October 2020. That said, they at least take inspiration from the fact they ran out F3-1 winners in November’s reverse fixture thanks to goals from Philipp Sander, Kevin Diks and Haris Tabaković.

Team News

The visitors are unable to call upon Robin Hack, Nathan Ngoumou, Kota Takai, Jan Olschowsky, Jan Urbich and Tim Kleindienst. As for Marvin Friedrich, he is available for selection after recovering from the injury that kept him out of the win over St. Pauli.

Predicted lineup: Nicolas; Sander, Elvedi, Diks; Scally, Reitz, Engelhardt, Stöger, Castrop; Honorat, Tabaković