FC Koln vs RB Leipzig prediction: GERMANY: Bundesliga betting tips on match 2024-03-14 19:30.
[p]Cologne were the only side in the Bundesliga’s bottom-six to avoid defeat last week, as they emerged from a thrilling Rheinderby with a 3-3 draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach. The Billy Goats are now winless in five matches (D3, L2), and with the gap to safety at an alarming seven points, perhaps their ultimate ambition will be preserving their place in the relegation play-off position.[/p]
[p]The visit of Champions League chasing RB Leipzig appears to make that task much tougher, as Cologne have managed just a single point from their meetings with the current top-five this term (D1, L7), while they suffered an embarrassing 6-0 defeat in the reverse fixture! Boss Timo Schultz will be glad to be on home soil where two of their three league wins this term have arrived, but their measly nine-point haul on their own turf is their worst at this stage since 2020/21 – when they only survived relegation via the play-off![/p]
[p]While Leipzig may have already bowed out of Europe for this season, their quest to get back to the Champions League has been helped by a run of three wins from their last four league outings (L1). Last week’s 2-0 victory over Darmstadt was the Red Bulls’ eighth clean sheet of the league season, but they’ve not managed successive shutouts since September, so goals could be on the cards here.[/p]
[p]The RheinEnergieStadion has proved a tough venue for Leipzig though, as they’ve failed to win any of their last three H2Hs here (D2, L1). And Marco Rose’s men have been vulnerable on their travels this term, winning just twice on the road in the Bundesliga since late October (D2, L4).[/p]
[p]Players to watch: In-form Faride Alidou scored twice last week, making it four goals in his last six games for Cologne, netting the match opener on three occasions. Leipzig midfielder Christoph Baumgartner was also on target in his most recent outing – the perfect warm-up to face the Bundesliga side he’s scored the most goals against in his career (five).[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Leipzig have conceded just two first-half goals across six previous away H2Hs (W2, D3, L1).[/p]