Holstein Kiel - 1.FC Köln

Cologne to get back to winning ways

TEAM NEWS

Holstein Kiel's Arne Sicker, Mathias Honsak and Philipp Sander will not be available for the league encounter against Cologne while Aaron Seydel is a doubt with a heel injury and Kingsley Schindler is sidelined with a yellow-red card from the last game in Aue.

At Cologne, Nikolas Nartey is sidelined with a foot injury while Christian Clemens has suffered a ligament rupture and is out for the upcoming weeks too. And during the trainings week got Vincent Koziello and Lasse Sobiech injured and are not ready for the game in Kiel.

Holstein Kiel

Suspended: Kingsley Schindler

Doubtful: Aaron Seydel (heel)

Injured/unavailable: Arne Sicker, Philipp Sander (both unspecified); Mathias Honsak (broken arm)

Cologne

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

After beating Darmstadt 4-2 on home soil in late September, Holstein Kiel fell to a disappointing 2-1 loss at Aue in their last league match before the international break, which was their third defeat of the campaign. Overall, the Storks have won three, drawn three and lost three of their nine league encounters under new boss Tim Walter. The side are still unbeaten on their own turf, having won twice and drawn twice.

Cologne were beaten for the second time this term two weeks ago when they succumbed to a somewhat surprising 2-1 home defeat to bottom-of-the-league side Duisburg at Rheinenergie Stadium. Prior to that, the league leaders had won six, drawn one and lost only one of their first eight league games. Away from home this term, Markus Anfang’s team have won all four of their league matches, scoring 12 and conceding only four in the process.

Before suffering their second defeat of the season last time out, Cologne were beginning to get rolling under their new boss. I’m backing them to bounce back with their fifth win on the road.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – HIGH

Cologne have already scored 12 times away from home, with no other team exceeding that tally. Meanwhile, Holstein Kiel have netted a respectable nine goals in their four home league matches. I expect to see plenty of goals here.

HEAD TO HEAD

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