Köln vs. Bayern Munich preview: Leaders looking for another strong showing

Köln

Lukas Kwasniok is under pressure to spark an upturn in fortunes after seeing his Köln side go seven matches without a win since beating nine-man Hamburger SV 4-1 on November 2. Die Geißböcke have played out three draws in their winless run, with the most recent of those taking place at the Voith Arena on Saturday. Kwasniok’s charges came from behind on two occasions to pick up a point, thanks to goals from Eric Martel and Said El Mala. 

Köln, who are five points clear of danger, will now return to the RheinEnergieStadion for an almighty test against the league leaders. The hosts will be concerned by the fact that they have lost four of their previous seven competitive home matches (W1, D2), including two of their last three outings in front of their supporters. 

That record will offer little hope about their chances of beating Bayern for the first time since clinching a 3-2 home victory in February 2011. 

Team News

Köln defender Dominique Heintz is expected to be out for around four weeks with an adductor issue. Kwasniok is also without Timo Hübers, Luca Kilian and Joël Schmied due to injury. Meanwhile, Martel and Rav van den Berg are both suspended for the midweek fixture. 

Predicted lineup: Schwäbe; Sebulonsen, Krauß, Özkacar; Thielmann, Jóhannesson, Huseinbašić, Castro-Montes; Mala, Kamiński, Bülter

Bayern Munich

Bayern are cruising towards the Bundesliga title after winning 14 and drawing two of their 16 Bundesliga matches this season. After concluding 2025 with a resounding 4-0 away win over Heidenheim, Bayern enjoyed another one-sided outing in their opening game of the calendar year against Wolfsburg. Vincent Kompany’s side took a 2-1 lead into the break before they moved through the gears to net six second-half goals on their way to a statement 8-1 victory, which saw Michael Olise net a brace. 

Unsurprisingly, the Bavarians are by far and away the leading scorers in the top flight, having racked up 63 goals in 16 matches. They will surely fancy their chances of adding a few more to that tally on Wednesday, especially as they have scored 12 goals across their previous three competitive away games.

Bayern have won 13 of their last 14 matches against Köln, including each of their last four competitive meetings. In fact, they have already won at the RheinEnergieStadion this season, with Harry Kane scoring a double in October’s 4-1 win in the DFB-Pokal. 

Team News

Josip Stanišić is set for a spell on the sidelines after sustaining an ankle injury at the weekend. The visitors are also expected to be without Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala and Sacha Boey, while Nicolas Jackson is currently representing Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations. 

Predicted lineup: Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Ito; Goretzka, Pavlović; Olise, Karl, Díaz; Kane