SV Darmstadt 98 - 1.FC Köln

Cologne to continue good form with second win in a row

TEAM NEWS

Darmstadt’s Rouven Sattelmaier is out with knee injury while Felix Platte is expected to be sidelined due to a foot problem. 

Cologne's Nikolas Nartey is sidelined with a foot injury while Christian Clemens has ruptured his ligaments and is out for the upcoming weeks. Jonas Hector and Lasse Sobiech have suffered injuries during training and are not expected to recover in time either.

Darmstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Rouven Sattelmaier (knee), Felix Platte (foot)

Cologne

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nikolas Nartey (foot), Christian Clemens (ligament rupture), Lasse Sobiech (broken toe), Jonas Hector (knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

Darmstadt had enjoyed a revival in recent weeks, winning two and drawing one of their three league matches, before crashing to a 1-0 defeat to Bochum at Vonovia Stadium just before the international break. Overall though, the Lilies have played only an average season so far with five wins, two draws and six defeats and they are in 12^thwith 17 points. However, it is important to note that 13 of those have been secured on their own turf – in fact, Darmstadt have the joint second strongest home record in the league.

Cologne thrashed mid-table side Dresden in an impressive 8-1 victory at home last time out. It was a league game in which the club's top scorer Simon Terodde scored three times. The player has now increased his tally to 16 goals overall. The win moved Cologne back into second place in the league table where they boast the best goal difference with +14. The team also have the strongest attack with 32 goals scored so far. 

Cologne will be boosted by their overwhelming win before the international break and will be looking to follow this up with a second straight success against another mid-table side. My money is going on the away win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – COLOGNE

Cologne have scored the opening goal in three of their last four away league matches. I’ll be backing them to net the opener this weekend too.

HEAD TO HEAD

The only league meetings between these sides have taken place in Germany's top flight, with Cologne winning six and drawing two. They are yet to lose in this head-to-head.