1.FC Köln - FC Magdeburg

Cologne to continue great run with home win

TEAM NEWS

Cologne's list of absentees consists of Christian Clemens, Jonas Hector and Lasse Sobiech. 

Magdeburg boss Michael Oenning will not be able to count on Aleksandar Ignjovski, who remains out injured. 

Cologne

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

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

Magdeburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Aleksandar Ignjovski (elbow)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Cologne have been in excellent form, winning four, drawing two and losing only one of their last seven league games. Since falling to a 1-0 defeat against leaders Hamburg at the Volkspark Stadium back in November, Markus Anfang’s men have won four in a row, with their latest league fixture ending 3-1 in their favour against Jahn Regensburg away from home. Cologne are sitting comfortably in second place, with a five-point lead over Union Berlin in third and only one point behind Hamburg.

Michael Oenning’s Magdeburg will be hoping to build on their draws at home to Bochum (0-0) and local rivals Union Berlin (1-1) in their last two league fixtures. Despite managing to avoid defeat in those league outings, Magdeburg have still only secured one win so far this season and have grabbed only three points from the last 24 on offer. The team are sitting in 16^th, the promotion/relegation playoff place, two points from safety. 

Even though Magdeburg have improved since new boss Oenning's arrival in mid-November,  Cologne are on a different level and should easily be able to dispatch this struggling side. Back the home side to win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – COLOGNE

Cologne have scored the opening goal in their last four league matches and I think they will net the opener this weekend, too.

HEAD TO HEAD

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