FC Koln vs Stuttgart prediction: GERMANY: Bundesliga betting tips on match 2022-08-27 13:30.
After securing their place in the Europa Conference League group stage last time out, Cologne return to Bundesliga action looking to build upon their solid start to the league season (W1, D2). It would appear the only way is up for Cologne, who followed up two bottom-half seasons with a seventh-placed finish last term, and the omens again appear good as the last time they remained unbeaten after three Bundesliga rounds, they finished fifth (2016/17)!
Continuing that fine form here may be a challenge though, with the extra miles and minutes of that European game potentially taking a toll. In fact Cologne averaged 21.5 attempts per game across the opening two rounds with no continental football taking place prior, but just six in their 1-1 draw with Frankfurt following their first leg clash against Fehérvár, which suggests an additional 2000+km travelled ahead of this game could be to Cologne’s detriment.
Unlike their opponents, Stuttgart are yet to win a league game (D2, L1) in what is now Pellegrino Matarazzo’s worst Bundesliga start as Stuttgart boss. Highlighting their plight is the fact Stuttgart have now won just one of the last ten league games (D6, L3) although that sole victory was coincidentally a crucial win over none other than Cologne which ultimately kept Stuttgart in the division!
The story gets even worse when considering only Stuttgart’s away form, as they’re currently the only side to have been a mainstay in the top-flight since the start of 2021/22 that are still without a road win in 2022 (D6, L5). Perhaps damningly, that away winless run is their longest in the top-flight since they were last relegated back in 2018/19!
Players to watch: Florian Dietz has made a strong start to life in the Cologne first team, scoring two team openers from his last four appearances since making the step up to the first team. Meanwhile, Wataru Endo scored against Cologne on the final day of 2021/22 to help them stay up, he also made a goal contribution in Stuttgart’s last away game.
Hot stat: Neither Cologne or Stuttgart have scored within the opening 30 minutes of a league game this term.