FC Koln vs Bayer Leverkusen Prediction, Tips & Odds – 03.03.2024
FC Koln vs Bayer Leverkusen Prediction 03.03.2024. In the 24th round of the German Bundesliga, FC Köln will host Bayer Leverkusen. The match is scheduled for Sunday at 3:30 PM, at the Rhein Energie Stadium.
In the previous round, the hosts drew with Stuttgart, while the guests defeated Mainz. Following Bayern’s defeat, Leverkusen has the opportunity to further extend their lead at the top of the table, while Köln is fighting desperately to avoid relegation.
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FC Koln vs Bayer Leverkusen Odds
FC Koln Team News
Cologne was impressive last weekend, holding third-placed Stuttgart to a 1-1 draw, but they remain entrenched in deep problems alongside Mainz and Darmstadt at the bottom of the table. However, they still hold a position in the relegation playoff as they currently sit in 16th place, but they show very few signs of catching the teams above them. The eight-point gap to the teams above them seems insurmountable, and no team in the Bundesliga has survived automatically from such a deficit at this stage in over a decade.
Prospects look even slimmer when considering that Cologne has only won three games all season, against Borussia Mönchengladbach with ten men, Eintracht Frankfurt with nine men, and bottom-placed Darmstadt.
Cologne manager Timo Schultz will be able to welcome back Timo Hubers after illness, while Davie Selke could also make a return, but not from the start, after recovering from a broken foot. Striking duo Luca Waldschmidt and Mark Uth are absent, as injuries have ruled them out for the rest of the season.
Bayer Leverkusen Team News
Leverkusen’s title ambitions were put to the test last weekend, as they were forced to clinch a hard-fought victory against Mainz, a team battling for survival, with a narrow 2-1 scoreline. This extended their fairytale unbeaten streak, making it even more likely that the “Eternal Bridesmaids” might finally have their moment in the spotlight.
Another milestone could be reached this weekend, as they could equal the club’s record undefeated streak in the league with 24 games without defeat, as they did in the 2009/10 season. Only Pep Guardiola’s Bayern side has amassed more points at this stage of the Bundesliga season than Leverkusen’s 61 points from 23 games, leaving Die Werkself just 12 points away from matching their best-ever points tally, set back in the 1999/00 season.
With an eight-point lead over Bayern heading into the weekend, no team has ever been caught with such a margin with 11 games to go, once again favoring their chances. However, Cologne has proven to be a tough opponent in the past, as they have only achieved a league double against their local rivals once in 11 seasons, which was in the 2020/21 season. Nevertheless, this is a season like no other, given Leverkusen’s performance of 29 wins and four draws from 33 games in all competitions this season.
Leverkusen has been given a huge boost, as influential midfielder Exequiel Palacios is back in the squad for this match after a brief absence. However, the game will come too soon for both Victor Boniface and Arthur, as the pair continues their recovery from injuries.
FC Koln vs Bayer Leverkusen H2H
09.11.2022. FC Koln vs Bayer Leverkusen 1:2
05.05.2023. Bayer Leverkusen vs FC Koln 1:2
08.10.2023. Bayer Leverkusen vs FC Koln 3:0
Injuries and suspensions
FC Koln: Luca Waldschmidt, Mark Uth
Bayer Leverkusen: Arthur, Victor Boniface
Expected Lineups
FC Koln (4-3-3): Schwabe; Carstensen, Chabot, Hubers, Finkgrafe; Huseinbasic, Martel, Kainz; Ljubicic, Thielmann, Maina
Bayer Leverkusen (3-4-3): Hradecky; Kossounou, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Andrich, Xhaka, Grimaldo; Adli, Schick, Wirtz
FC Koln vs Bayer Leverkusen Prediction
Bayer Leverkusen clearly has the upper hand in this encounter due to their better head-to-head record, impressive form, and high position in the table. Although FC Köln faces a challenge on home turf, they can anticipate a tough match against a quality visiting team. We expect an exciting and dynamic game, and we suggest betting on a Bayer Leverkusen victory with a two-goal handicap.
Kick-off Time: Sunday, 03.03.2024, 3:30 AM Local Time (GMT 0), 15:30 CET
Prediction: Handicap Bayer Leverkusen (-1.5)
Odds (when tipped): 2.04
Sportsbook: 20bet
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