Schalke vs FC Koln prediction: GERMANY: Bundesliga betting tips on match 2023-01-28 14:30.
Schalke head coach Thomas Reis admitted they have “no business being in the Bundesliga” if they repeat their first-half performance against RB Leipzig on Tuesday after they trailed 4-0 at the break (L 6-1). That defeat left them five points adrift at the foot of the table and that gap could be bigger by the time they kick-off here, so they simply must produce a better second half of the season if they are to avoid an immediate return to the second tier.
“We have to forget the first half and now fully focus on the Cologne game,” was midfielder Mehmet-Can Aydin’s plea to his teammates, whose only two wins in the Bundesliga this term have at least come at the Veltins-Arena (D1, L6). The Royal Blues’ focus must be razor sharp though, as Schalke haven’t won any of the last six league H2Hs they’ve hosted (D2, L4).
Cologne will travel confidently after taking a point from leaders Bayern Munich on Tuesday (D 1-1), leading for much of the contest before an incredible last-minute equaliser from Joshua Kimmich denied them the win. They’ve hit the ground running following the FIFA World Cup (W1, D1) and are knocking on the door of the top half, with a repeat of last term’s seventh place and European qualification becoming a more realistic possibility.
Manager Steffen Baumgart will hope their point at Bayern can signal an upturn in away form as they’ve won none of their last six league games on the road (D2, L4). Those patchy performances on their travels mean they shouldn’t be taking their fine record at this venue for granted, especially as the Billy Goats are winless on the road this season against sides currently below them in the table (D1, L2).
Players to watch: Sōichirō Kōzuki’s first goal for Schalke against Leipzig saw him continue a sequence of 11 consecutive goalscoring appearances in games in which more than three goals were scored (W9, D1, L1). More goals could easily follow if Ellyes Skhiri hits the target as he’s netted before the break in both of Cologne’s last two games.
Hot stat: Schalke conceded at least five corners in each of their last five home league fixtures.