FC Koln vs Freiburg prediction: GERMANY: Bundesliga betting tips on match 2024-05-03 16:30.
[p]Cologne’s hopes for survival were minutes away from being nothing but mathematical in their last game, but they managed to force a 1-1 draw with a 95th minute equaliser in a classic ‘six-pointer’ against Mainz. The Billy Goats now trail their prior opponents in the relegation play-off spot by five points, meaning that their survival hopes will most likely depend on them making up that deficit and taking the gamble on the relegation showdown against a 2. Bundesliga opponent.[/p]
[p]History is not on their side though, as not since the relegation play-off was introduced in 2008/09 has a team made up such a deficit this late into the season to earn that right. Cologne only have themselves to blame for such a horrendous season, since their four league wins is their lowest tally after 31 games into any Bundesliga season in which they’ve competed. [/p]
[p]They’re not the only team five points adrift of a sought-after position, since opponents Freiburg trail the current occupants of the Europa League spot Eintracht Frankfurt by that same deficit prior to the weekend. The visitors will feel as if they should be right up on the shoulder of Frankfurt, but haven’t covered themselves in glory by drawing 1-1 against Mainz and losing 2-1 to Wolfsburg respectively of late, despite taking the lead in both those games. [/p]
[p]The Breisgau Brazilians will still be incentivised to finish seventh if need be, which will still be enough for a Conference League berth after the Bundesliga was confirmed a fifth Champions League spot in midweek. Even finishing seventh will take some work with teams hot on their heels though, but they’ll be confident of getting all three points here since the last three H2Hs all ended in victory with an accompanying clean sheet.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Faride Alidou could be pivotal to getting Cologne off on the right foot, since he’s netted the match opener in each of his three goalscoring appearances this season. As for Freiburg, the stars seem to be aligning for their #32 Vincenzo Grifo to shine in round 32, since 13 of his last 14 Bundesliga goals have all come on even numbered matchdays, along with his two career goals against Cologne, the last of which came in round 32 of the 2020/21 season![/p]
[p]Hot stat: Freiburg have won five away league games this season as the betting underdog, the joint-most in Europe’s traditional top-five leagues. [/p]