FC Koln vs B. Monchengladbach prediction: GERMANY: Bundesliga betting tips on match 2023-10-21 13:30.
To call this a depressing start to the Bundesliga season for Cologne would perhaps be the understatement of the century, as they sit rock-bottom with just a single point to their name (D1, L6) in what is now their worst-ever start to a German top-flight season. The need to post a resurgent result is heightened by the fact this is one of the most hotly anticipated clashes of their season, the Rhine derby against great rivals Borussia Mönchengladbach, the side Cologne have faced more than any other in history with 130 prior meetings (W45, D24, L61).
Any optimism from the home fans ahead of this clash may be cautious at best as they’ve watched their beloved Billy Goats win just once across their last ten home Bundesliga games (D2, L7). That run includes conceding at least twice in each of their last five home league matches and their worst run of consecutive defeats in such encounters (L4) since a 2019 streak of five, which coincidentally included a 1-0 loss against Gladbach.
Although Gerardo Seoane’s men sit five points above their rivals, their Bundesliga start so far has fallen well below expectations (W1, D3, L3). That’s actually their worst start in terms of wins at this stage of the league campaign since they registered one victory after seven rounds in 2010/11, a season in which the Foals finished 16th and required a nervy relegation play-off to stay in the division!
Despite the negatives, playing away from home could play into Gladbach’s hands as they’re yet to lose competitively on the road this season (W2, D2), while scoring at least three goals in all four such matches. Even with a slow start, you can never really count Gladbach out of the fight as they’ve come from behind to draw in three of their last four Bundesliga away outings, although they haven’t mounted a comeback at Cologne in a Bundesliga H2H in this century.
Key battle: Davie Selke has scored Cologne’s only two goals across their last four games, although depressingly, six of his last nine goalscoring appearances have come in defeat. Trying to outdo him may be Florian Neuhaus, who has found the net in three of Gladbach’s last four encounters, with two of those efforts acting as the opener inside the first 30 minutes.
Hot stat: Six of the last seven H2Hs saw both teams score with over 2.5 match goals in the match.