Hoffenheim vs. FC Köln preview: Two sides aiming to get back to winning ways | OneFootball

Hoffenheim

Christian Ilzer’s side narrowly avoided relegation last season, finishing just three points above the playoff spot. However, a strong start to 2025/26 has lifted them into mid-table and within touching distance of the European positions.

Hoffenheim responded well to their heavy 4-1 defeat at Bayern Munich by earning a 1-1 draw away at Freiburg last weekend. After conceding early through Lukas Kübler, Fisnik Asllani’s equaliser secured a valuable point and steadied the mood in Kraichgau.

That result leaves them 10th in the Bundesliga with seven points, part of a tight pack of clubs chasing the top four. Home form remains a major concern, though - Hoffenheim have lost both home games so far this season, in addition to their final two of last term.

Team News

Hoffenheim’s defensive options are stretched. Valentin Gendrey (broken ankle), Hennes Behrens (hamstring) and Koki Machida (knee) are all sidelined, while Albian Hajdari is a doubt through illness. Robin Hranac and Arthur Chaves are expected to partner at centre-back, flanked by Vladimir Coufal and Bernardo.

Further forward, Adam Hložek (ankle) remains a long-term absentee.

Predicted lineup - 4-2-2-2: Baumann - Coufal, Hranac, Chaves, Bernardo - Avdullahu, Tohumcu - Kramarić, Touré - Asllani, Lemperle

FC Köln

After winning the 2. Bundesliga title last season, Lukas Kwasniok’s Köln made a flying start to life back in the top flight, opening with three straight victories - including a thumping 4-1 win over Freiburg.

However, their momentum has stalled during a difficult September. Köln are winless in three league games and come into Friday’s clash off the back of successive defeats, losing 3-1 at RB Leipzig before falling 2-1 at home to Stuttgart despite an early Jakub Kamiński goal.

They remain seventh in the table with seven points, level with Hoffenheim and just two off the top four. Encouragingly, their away record is excellent - six wins, two draws and just one defeat from their last nine league trips - a run that stretches back to their promotion campaign.

Team News

Köln are without Marius Bülter (hamstring), so Linton Maina is expected to continue on the left wing. Luca Kilian is out long-term with a cruciate ligament injury, while Rav van den Berg should return later this month.

Joel Schmied, Eric Martel and Timo Hübers will likely form a back three in front of Marvin Schwäbe, while Ragnar Ache and Jan Thielmann are set to lead the attack.

Predicted lineup - 3-4-2-1: Schwäbe - Schmied, Martel, Hübers - Sebulonsen, Johannesson, Krauß, Maina - Thielmann, Ache, Kaminski