After a disappointing evening in Europe on Thursday, the Bayer Leverkusen boys will be looking to bounce back. Can a visiting Koln side take advantage of the fact that the hosts will have one eye on the Europa League at BayArena? Read on for our free predictions and betting tips.
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Bookmaker Ratings prediction one: Handicap – FC Koln +1 Handicap – 2.40
Bookmaker Ratings prediction two: Team Goals – FC Koln to Score Over 1.5 Goals – 2.75
FC Koln +1 Handicap
The visitors must see this is an opportunity. They did come unstuck last weekend, but they have picked up some encouraging results on the road in recent times, losing only one of their last seven travelling fixtures. Consider this in conjunction with the fact that the hosts will be thinking about their Europa League second leg against Atlanta and at an attractive price, a punt on the visitors to avoid defeat is warranted.
FC Koln to Score Over 1.5 Goals
Yes, Leverkusen are, in terms of points accumulated at least, the third best team in the division, but they’re far from infallible defensively, while they’ve got bigger fish to fry right now. The hosts have conceded two or more in three of their last five at home, while their defensive record against top-half teams, which is what Koln are right now, isn’t great, conceding two or more in four out of five at home.
We may see a Leverkusen side that is caught in two minds on Sunday afternoon. The hosts, having lost by three goals to two in Italy on Thursday, will be thinking about their all-important second leg, which takes place just four days after this fixture. On the other hand, they’ll want to make sure that they cement third position, which is no longer as secure as it was.
In the league, we’ve seen how useful this Leverkusen side can be. They’ve lost just one of their last eight league matches, six of which they’ve won, while they held Bayern Munich to a draw on the road last time out. At this venue, they’re unbeaten in seven, five of which they’ve won, including each of the last three.
Koln’s assault on the top half has hit something of a roadblock in recent weeks. They’ve won just one of their last four, while SUnday’s visitors arrive here without a win in two. Last time out, they came unstuck at home to Hoffenheim, failing to score for the first time since January.
A lack of goals has blighted the visitors of late. Yes, they’ve rarely failed to get on the score-sheet, but scoring more than once has been equally rare as far as Steffen Baumgart’s men are concerned. They’ve scored no more than a single goal in none of their last five, scoring just four goals during that time. Then again, it’s not as if they;ve conceded a hatful, shipping more than once in just one of their last five, keeping two clean sheets in the process.
If you’re looking for a ‘safe’ bet, then ‘Both Teams to Score’ fits the bill. Leverkusen have scored at least once in all but one of their home games this season, while the visitors have scored in each of their last seven away games.
Karim Bellarabi is still sidelined for the hosts, as is Patrick Schick. Timo Hubers is out for the visitors.
Bayer Leverkusen: Hradecky, Hincapie, Tah, Tapsoba, Frimpong, Aranguiz, Demirbay, Bakker, Wirtz, Diaby, Alario.
FC Koln: Schwabe, Schmitz, Kilian, Hubers, Hector, Skhiri, Ozcan, Kainz, Uth, Thielmann, Modeste.
Anthony Modeste
Leading from the front, Anthony Modeste is the main man for FC Koln. With 15 goals to his name this term, the Frenchman has spearheaded their push for the top-half, averaging 0.76 goals and assists per 90 minutes.
When the teams met earlier in the campaign, they drew 2-2.
This match will be played at BayArena.
We recommend checking out both William Hill and Vbet ahead of this fixture.