Borussia Mönchengladbach vs. FC Köln preview: Who will claim the Rhine derby bragging rights?
Borussia Mönchengladbach will look to return to winning ways when they face regional rivals FC Köln in Sunday's Rhine derby.
Gladbach
After overseeing a 5-1 defeat last weekend, Daniel Farke is facing his first real test as Gladbach boss. Farke's side were blown away in their away meeting with Werder Bremen, conceding four goals inside 37 minutes. Marcus Thuram managed to grab a consolation in the second half, but Mitchell Weiser restored the four-goal lead to wrap up a comfortable Bremen victory.
Having won only one of their last five matches, Gladbach head into the derby in 11th place, although they are only two points adrift of the top six. However, a win on Sunday would not only lift Gladbach above their opponents, but it would also move them into the top half of the table.
While they are yet to win a Bundesliga away game this season, all three of Gladbach's victories have taken place on home turf. They have fared well in front of goal at Borussia-Park, scoring seven goals, while they have only conceded twice in their four home encounters. After thrashing RB Leipzig 3-0 in their most recent outing at Borussia-Park, Gladbach will look to claim consecutive home victories on Sunday.
Team News
The hosts are unable to call upon the services of Hannes Wolf, Ko Itakura and Florian Neuhaus due to injury issues.
FC Köln
Köln have only lost one of their eight league matches this term, and as a result of their fine form, they sit in eighth place with three points separating them from the top four.
In their most recent Bundesliga outing, Köln came from behind to beat Borussia Dortmund 3-2. After Julian Brandt opened the scoring for Dortmund, Steffen Baumgart's side came turned the game on its head with Florian Kainz, Steffen Tigges and Dejan Ljubičić all grabbing a goal apiece. Although Benno Schmitz's own goal set up a dramatic finale, Köln held firm to claim all three points.
Köln were unable to follow their impressive win over Dortmund with another positive result, as they fell to a narrow 1-0 home defeat to Partizan Belgrade in the Europa Conference League on Thursday.
After playing their last two matches at home, Köln will make the trip to their regional rivals on Sunday, and their previous away form suggests that they will be a tough team to beat. Their four away matches in the Bundesliga this term have resulted in one win and three draws.
Having won their previous three games against Gladbach, the visitors will be confident that they can claim all three points on Sunday.
Team News
Ankle problems will prevent Julian Chabot and Mathias Olesen from featuring in the derby. Köln are also without the services Sebastian Andersson, Timo Horn, Jan Thielmann and Dimitrios Limnios.