1.FC Köln - FC Heidenheim

Cologne to get back to winning ways

TEAM NEWS

Cologne's Nikolas Nartey is sidelined with a foot injury while Christian Clemens has ruptured his ligaments and is out for the upcoming weeks too. Vincent Koziello and Lasse Sobiech have suffered injuries during training and are not expected to recover in time for the league game against Heidenheim.

Frank Schmidt’s Heidenheim will have to do without defender Maximilian Thiel.

Cologne

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nikolas Nartey (foot), Christian Clemens (ligament rupture), Vincent Koziello (shoulder), Lasse Sobiech (broken toe)

Heidenheim

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable:Maximilian Thiel (pulled muscle)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Cologne have picked up just one point from their last two league games. After leading 1-0 almost until the end of their most recent league outing away at Holstein Kiel last weekend, Cologne conceded a very late equaliser two minutes from time, with the match ending 1-1. Simon Terodde once again appeared on the scoreboard for Cologne, netting his 13^thgoal of the season. Markus Anfang’s men are still leading the table with 20 points and have the best away record, but both of their league defeats have come at home where they have only claimed seven points from 15 on offer. Nevertheless, Cologne will be looking to return to winning ways at RheinEnergie Stadium this weekend.

Heidenheim are on a three-match unbeaten run following an impressive 3-0 home victory over Jens Hartel's Magdeburg last weekend, with Sebastian Griesbeck, Nikola Dovedan and Marc Schnatterer netting the goals at Voith Arena. That was the team's fourth league win of the season, but only one of those has been secured on the road where they have drawn two and lost two.

Cologne have been experiencing a bit of a blip, but they should be too strong for Heidenheim. My money is going on a win for the league leaders here.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – HIGH

Cologne have scored ten times in their five league matches at home, with only Bielefeld exceeding that tally. The hosts have also conceded ten goals on their own turf. Meanwhile, Heidenheim have netted a respectable eight goals and shipped the same number of goals in their five away league matches. I expect to see plenty of goals here.

HEAD TO HEAD

These teams will meet for the first time in league action.