RB Leipzig are the odds-on favourites at 1/2 to win, with hosts 1. FC Köln out at 5/1 to claim the three points. You can find the draw at 18/5.
The away side claimed all three points in a 4-1 win in the reverse fixture as the Red Bull Arena, and they’re 16/1 to repeat that scoreline.
In-form Timo Werner is favourite to break the deadlock for RB Leipzig. The golden boot chasing frontman is 5/2 to score first, or you can find 2/3 on him anytime. Patrik Schick is 5/1 to score first, or 3/2 anytime.
For Köln, it’s Colombian striker Jhon Cordoba who’s most likely to score for the Billy Goats. He’s 7/1 to score first, or you can find 11/5 anytime.
With this year’s Bundesliga title seemingly out of reach for RB Leipzig, they’ll be looking to finish the season as strongly as possible.
As things stand, Die Roten Bullen are 12 points behind leaders Bayern Munich, a lead which could be cut to eight with five matches left to play with a win in the Cathedral city of Köln.
Three more points would see the gap to Borussia Dortmund in second close to just two points as well, overtaking Borussia Mönchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen into third in the process.
Julian Nagelsmann’s side are unbeaten since a 2-0 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in January, but they’ve only managed one win in their last five matches, including two draws since the league’s restart.
In contrast, Köln are looking at mid-table Bundesliga security under coach Markus Gisdol. Since Gisdol took over in November, Die Geiβböcke have a 47%-win ratio in the league, lifting them nine points clear of the drop zone, and seven clear of the relegation play-off.
Gisdol’s side have managed some impressive wins already this season against Leverkusen, Frankfurt, Wolfsburg and a 5-0 thrashing of Hertha Berlin at the Olympiastadium in February.
However, their chances of securing a Europa League qualification spot have diminished after dropping seven of the nine points available since the restart. Köln are eight points away from Wolfsburg in sixth.
Home advantage has seemingly disappeared in this new era of football, with only eight home wins in 35 attempts. That’s a home win percentage of little under 23%, in comparison to the season average of around 40%.
RB Leipzig will be without left-back Marcel Halstenberg through suspension, after the Germany international picked up two bookings in their 2-2 draw with Hertha Berlin. Ibrahima Konate suffered a setback on his return from injury, so Nagelsmann could temporarily revert to a back four.
Elsewhere, Yussuf Poulsen is out for the rest of the campaign with an ankle injury, meaning Patrick Schick will lead the line in his absence. Marcel Sabitzer could play a key role in breaking down Köln’s backline. He’s had a hand in four goals in Leipzig’s five Bundesliga games against them.
Effzeh will have to do without their first-choice centre-back Sebastiaan Bornauw after VAR overturned a yellow card in favour of a straight red in their mid-week 3-1 defeat to Hoffenheim. Jorge Mere is expected to fill in to partner Toni Leistner at the heart of the defense.
Hometown hero Mark Uth could find himself on the bench in favour of Simon Terrode, Anthony Modeste or Florian Kainz after missing two penalties in his last two matches. Captain Jonas Hector should return to the starting XI, after coming off the bench in their defeat to Hoffenheim.
Could we see RB Leipzig turn on the style as they try to reclaim third spot, or could Köln find their form and cause another upset to mount their ambitious attempt to achieve a European spot?
