FC Koln vs Dortmund prediction: GERMANY: Bundesliga betting tips on match 2024-01-19 14:30.
Despite largely dominating in their last Bundesliga outing at home to Heidenheim over the weekend, Cologne squandered another lead as they drew 1-1 to remain in the relegation spots. With a total of just 11 points to their name so far this campaign, thanks to their return of only two wins in 17 league outings (D5, L10), a first relegation since the 2017/18 season looms large for the Billy Goats as their dire situation continues to be exacerbated by their current transfer ban.
A lack of goals has seriously hampered Cologne throughout the first half of the German top-flight season, with their 11 strikes this season a league-low. To make matters even worse, top scorer Davie Selke and fellow forward Luca Waldschmidt are both out injured for this clash with Borussia Dortmund, though the fact that Timo Schultz’s new side are unbeaten across the prior three home H2Hs (W1, D2) could raise confidence of them causing an upset here.
As for travelling Dortmund, they returned from Germany’s winter break in style as they downed relegation-threatened Darmstadt 3-0 at the weekend. There was additional good news during that match too, as after returning on loan from Manchester United just a few days prior, Jadon Sancho picked up from where he left off for BVB as he grabbed an assist on his second club debut!
Now Dortmund will go in search of claiming just their second win across their six most recent league outings (D3, L1) as they look to move closer to the Champions League qualification spots. Though, as their weekend win acted as their first victory in five attempts on the road in the Bundesliga, they’ll need to be at their best again here to claim another valuable three points at a venue where they’ve recently struggled.
Players to watch: Cologne could be reliant on captain Florian Kainz here, who’s struck three Bundesliga goals this season and netted in this corresponding fixture last campaign. Dortmund’s Julian Brandt also scored in that match and again at the weekend, with his side remaining unbeaten across his eight goalscoring appearances this season (W5, D3).
Hot streak: Dortmund have scored in each of their eight Bundesliga away matches this season.