1.FC Köln - VfL Bochum

Cologne to claim important home win

TEAM NEWS

Cologne's list of absentees consists of Christian Clemens, Vincent Koziello and Lasse Sobiech while Marco Hoger saw his fifth yellow card against Magdeburg on Monday and is suspended for the home clash against Bochum.

Bochum are still dealing with long-term absentees Jannik Bandowski, Milos Pantovic, Sebastian Maier, Maxim Leitsch, Baris Ekincier and ThomasEisfeld.

Cologne

Suspended: Marco Hoger

Doubtful: None

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

Bochum

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable:Jannik Bandowski, Milos Pantovic, Thomas Eisfeld (all knee); Sebastian Maier (groin), Maxim Leitsch (pubis), Baris Ekincier (unspecified)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Cologne have been flying of late, winning five league games in a row/ to cement their place behind leaders Hamburg in Germany's second division. Following last week's 3-0 win at home against strugglers Magdeburg, the team are now trailing Hamburg by only one point and a win here could potentially catapult them into the top spot. Cologne have been clinical at Rhein Energie Stadium recently, winning three times in a row and scoring 15 goals in the process.

Bochum head into this league game having picked up only one point from the last nine on offer. Since securing back-to-back home wins over Darmstadt (1-0) and Aue (2-1), the side have drawn with Magdeburg (0-0) and lost to St. Pauli (3-1) as well as to Union Berlin (2-0). That poor run has seen them dropping from fifth into eighth, with seven points separating them from third placed Union Berlin. Robin Dutt’s men will have to improve if they want to be in the running for the promotion/relegation playoff spot.

This is a vital league fixture for both teams for different reasons. Bochum need the points to start climbing up the league table again while Cologne will want to keep the pressure on the leaders with a win here. It could be close, but I fancy the home side to come out on top.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – COLOGNE

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

HEAD TO HEAD

The last two league meetings between the pair have been won by Cologne. Meanwhile, Bochum have not won at Rhein Energie Stadium in league action since a top-flight meeting back in April 2004.