Arminia Bielefeld - 1.FC Köln

Cologne to pick up another win this Friday

TEAM NEWS

Bielefeld are expected to be without midfielder Nils Quaschner, who is still recovering from a knee injury but working on his comeback, while Tom Schutz has problems with his achilles and is out for the next weeks.

At Cologne, Nikolas Nartey is sidelined with a foot injury.

Bielefeld

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nils Quaschner (knee), Tom Schutz (Achilles), 

Cologne

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nikolas Nartey (foot)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Jeff Saibaine’s Arminia is one of the in-form sides with turning themselves into a real force in the second tier. After only one win in the first three matches, Arminia have responded by taking an impressive eight points from their last four league matches moving up to sixth in the table as a result. The Arminia have won three, drawing three and lost one of their last seven league games, winning to Darmstadt 2-1 at Bollenfalltor with two late goals in their previous league match in midweek.

Cologne are flying high at the top of the table having taken 16 points from their first seven league matches. The experienced 2.Bundesliga Coach Markus Anfang has hit the ground running at Mungersdorf, guiding the FC to five wins, one draw and only one defeat in the league. After their shock defeat to Paderborn 5-3 at home, Cologne is back on track with back-to-back wins over Sandhausen 2-0 and Ingolstadt 2-1.

These two teams have both made a good starts to their campaign, so this should be an entertaining fixture at Schuco-Arena. Arminia are yet to lose in front of their own fans and will confidence from their midweek victory, but I fancy Colognes outstanding form to continue with another win this Friday.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – COLOGNE

Bielefeld haven’t managed to open the scoring in their last two home league games while Cologne have been first team on the scoresheet in all of their three away league matches. Expect the visitors to net the first goal again.

HEAD TO HEAD

These two sides have not met in the league for over four years. Their last cmpetitive encounter took place in the 2.Bundesliga in April 2014, with Colonge claiming a 2-0 victory at home.