1.FC Köln - St. Pauli

Cologne back to winning ways

TEAM NEWS 

Cologne's list of absentees consists of Louis Schaub, Lasse Sobiech, Marco Hoger, Vincent Koziello and Matthias Lehmann.

St. Pauli's Philipp Ziereis and Henk Veerman are both injured and will not be available for the rest of the season.

Cologne

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Louis Schaub (acroedema), Lasse Sobiech (adductor); Marco Hoger, Vincent Koziello (both ligaments); Matthias Lehmann (Achilles)

St. Pauli

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Philipp Ziereis, Henk Veerman (both knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Cologne had last weekend's league fixture at Aue postponed due to heavy snow and will go into this league match well-rested. They have lost their last two league matches on the bounce, with their latest – their first league game in 2019 – a 2-0 defeat away at fellow promotion contenders Union Berlin. Currently sitting in third with 36 points, Cologne have been looking nervously over their shoulder given their slim two-point lead over Union Berlin, Holstein Kiel and Heidenheim below them. 

St. Pauli are coming off a 3-2 win at home against Union Berlin, who – like them – went into the league game on 34 points. The result means the side have now jumped into second place, leapfrogging Cologne, Union Berlin, Holstein Kiel and Heidenheim. Overall, it has been an outstanding season for Markus Kauczinski’s side while they are also the third best team when it comes to results on the road, winning five, drawing two and losing three.

After starting the new year on the wrong foot, Cologne will be looking for maximum points at Rhein Energie Stadium this weekend. St. Pauli may be decent on their travels, but they have not managed to win away against a top four team this season, drawing at Hamburg and losing at Union Berlin. My money is therefore going on the home win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – EVEN

Cologne have won their last six league victories by at least two goals. Their last two league meetings with St. Pauli have resulted in an even scoreline and with that in mind I will take a punt on even total goals to be scored again here.

HEAD TO HEAD

Cologne have won four and drawn one of their last five league meetings against St. Pauli, scoring 13 times along the way.