FC Köln vs. Eintracht Frankfurt preview: Hosts looking to bounce back | OneFootball

FC Köln

Köln may have been relieved by the timing of the international break after losing three of their last four matches in all competitions. Die Geißböcke lost to Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal respectively, before they bounced back with a heavy 4-1 victory over nine-man Hamburg. Unfortunately for Köln, they were unable to build upon that result in the Rhine Derby against Gladbach. Luca Waldschmidt netted a stoppage-time penalty to score a late consolation in a heavy 3-1 away defeat, representing their third loss in the past four Bundesliga road trips.

Despite being left frustrated by the derby result, newly-promoted Köln will still be pleased to be in ninth position in the Bundesliga table, having recorded four victories, two draws and four defeats in 10 league matches. 

They will also be satisfied with their home record after losing just one of their opening four league games at the RheinEnergieStadion (W2, D1). The hosts can also take confidence from the fact that they have won each of their last three home meetings with Frankfurt, including a 2-0 success in their most recent home encounter in February 2024.

Team News

Köln boss Lukas Kwasniok is unable to call upon Timo Hübers, Luca Kilian and Malek El Mala due to injury. Meanwhile, striker Marius Bülter has been struggling with illness and will not be fit to start Saturday’s fixture. 

Predicted lineup: Schwäbe; Schmied, Martel, Özkacar; Sebulonsen, Jóhannesson, Huseinbašić, Lund; Thielmann, Kamiński, Ache

Eintracht Frankfurt

Frankfurt are three points better off than Köln after winning five, drawing two and losing three of their 10 Bundesliga games this season. Die Adler have put together a four-game unbeaten league run since losing 3-0 at home to Bayern Munich at the start of October. In the league, Frankfurt played out draws with Freiburg and Heidenheim, either side of a 2-0 win over St. Pauli, before they edged out Mainz 05 in their final outing before the international break.

The home meeting with Mainz looked set to finish goalless until Ritsu Dōan netted an 81st-minute winner to snatch a 1-0 victory. After recording a second successive home league win, Frankfurt will return from the international break with hopes of ending their four-game winless away run in all competitions. Dino Toppmöller’s side have not won a competitive away match since pulling off an enthralling 6-4 victory against Gladbach on September 27. 

If they are to take maximum points from Saturday’s fixture, the visitors will have to beat Köln at the RheinEnergieStadion for the first time since picking up a narrow 1-0 win for the first time since September 2017.

Team News

The visitors are without the services of Can Uzun, Hugo Larsson and Oscar Højlund. Meanwhile, in positive news, Jean-Mattéo Bahoya and Farès Chaïbi have both shaken off their fitness concerns and will be fit for Saturday’s away trip. 

Predicted lineup: Zetterer; Kristensen, Koch, Theate, Brown; Skhiri, Chaïbi; Doan, Götze, Knauff; Burkardt