The hosts go looking for a first win in four in all competitions on Saturday afternoon. Can they get the better of Freiburg at RheinEnergieStadion?
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Bookmaker Ratings prediction one: Full Time Result – Draw – 3.50
Bookmaker Ratings prediction two: Total Goals – Over 2.5 Goals – 1.72
Draw
Recently there’s not been much between the home efforts of Koln and the away-day escapades of Freiburg, so much so that a tight game looks to be on the cards. Moreover, Koln have scored an average of 1.8 goals at home, while the visitors can almost match that with an average of 1.6 goals scored on the road. In terms of form, there’s little to separate the pair either, with Koln picking up ten points from their last five. The Freiburg boys have claimed eight points during that time.
Over 2.5 Goals
Goals, goals and more goals, that’s what we’ve seen when both Koln and Freiburg have been in action of late. Three or more goals have been scored in seven of Freiburg’s last eight on the road, with both teams scoring in six of those seven. Three or more have also been netted in each of Koln’s last four league matches, as well as six of their last eight at RheinEnergieStadion.
After taking something of a heavy beating off the league leaders, a draw against Bochum has steadied the ship for Steffen Baumgart’s men, who have only lost one of their last five league matches, three of which they’ve won.
Besides losing at home to Bayern, Koln have lost just once in front of their own fans this season, either beating or taking a point off the likes of Leverkusen, Union Berlin and RB Leipzig. Such form is positive ahead of a fixture against a Freiburg side that continues to hold a position inside the top half.
When Christian Streich’s men occupied a lofty position earlier in the campaign, there were plenty of doubters, though we’re now in February and the Freiburg train continues to chug along at a fair old speed. Following a thumping win away against Hoffenheim a fortnight ago, Saturday’s visitors continued to move in the right direction last weekend, beating Stuttgart by two goals to nil at home.
They’ve now got to go back on the road, but that probably won’t bother the Freiburg boys, who’ve toughed it out away from the comforts of home several times this campaign. From a defensive point of view especially, the visitors can make life tough for hosting teams. Only two Bundesliga teams have conceded fewer travelling goals this season.
If something with a bit more juice in the price is what you desire then take a chance on ‘Over 3.5 Goals’. The goals have come in no short supply for either team in recent weeks, with four or more goals being scored in each of Koln’s last four league matches, as well as in three of Freiburg’s last four.
For the hosts, Ellyes Skhiri, who has been away on international duty for a while, is expected to miss out. The visitors have few personnel concerns at present.
FC Koln: Schwabe, Schmitz, Kilian, Hubers, Hector, Ozcan, Kainz, Ljubicic, Schaub, Duda, Modeste.
Freiburg: Flekken, Kubler, Lienhart, Schlotterbeck, Gunter, Schade, Eggestein, Hofler, Grifo, Holer, Demirovic.
Vincenzo Grifo
When Freiburg have taken to the pitch this season, playmaker Vincenzo Grifo has been one to watch. The crafty Italian has chipped in with four league goals, notching twice against Hoffenheim in the last away game, but it’s what he’s done as a provider that has caught the eye most. Grifo has six assists to his name, making him his team’s most valuable source of creativity.
Earlier in the season, the teams played out a 1-1 draw.
This fixture is due to be played at RheinEnergieStadion.
We recommend checking out both William Hill and Vbet ahead of this fixture.