DFB Pokal: Predicted Bayer Leverkusen v FC Köln XIs: Xabi Alonso to rotate squad | OneFootball

Xabi Alonso is set to make up to four changes when his Bayer Leverkusen side host local rivals FC Köln at the BayArena in Wednesday’s DFB Pokal quarter-final.

After making his return to the Leverkusen starting line-up in their 3-1 win against Hoffenheim at the weekend, Victor Boniface is likely to drop to the bench in place of Patrik Schick, but this would be nothing more than load management given the Nigerian’s recent return. Nathan Tella went off injured and was replaced by winter signing Emiliano Buendia on Saturday, but it’s possible that Jonas Hofmann could get the nod tonight, alongside Florian Wirtz and Schick.

As for 2. Bundesliga leaders Köln, if Linton Maina isn’t 100 percent, then Steffen Tigges could start for Gerhard Struber’s side, and the same goes for Floian Wirtz should Luca Waldschmidt not be ready for a return to the starting line-up.

Bayer Leverkusen v FC Köln Predicted Line-ups

Bayer Leverkusen: Kovar – Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie – Frimpong, Andrich, Xhaka, Grimaldo – Hofmann, Wirtz – Schick

FC Köln: Schwäbe – Hübers, Schmied, Heintz – Gazibegovic, Martel, Ljubicic, Pacarada – Waldschmidt – Downs, Maina

GGFN | Daniel Pinder