RB Leipzig vs. FC Köln preview: Die Roten Bullen hoping to extend unbeaten run
RB Leipzig will look to extend their seven-game unbeaten league run when they play host to FC Köln on Saturday.
RB Leipzig
After experiencing a three-game winless run in all competitions, Leipzig have bounced back with consecutive victories. They claimed a 3-1 win over Darmstadt in last weekend’s league meeting, before repeating the scoreline in Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Crvena zvezda. David Raum, Xavi Simons and Dani Olmo all got on the scoresheet to help Leipzig claim their second win of the group stage, leaving them in second position and three points adrift of reigning European champions Manchester City.
Leipzig will now turn their attention back to league matters, with Marco Rose’s side sitting in fifth position and three points adrift of the top four. They have proven to be a tough team to beat, having lost just one of their eight league games. That sole defeat took place in their league opener against current leaders Bayer Leverkusen. Leipzig will be confident about their chances of extending their unbeaten league run, with their last three home games against Köln producing two wins and one draw.
Team News
El Chadaille Bitshiabu and Willi Orban are both set to miss out with knee injuries.
FC Köln
Köln will head into Saturday’s contest in a positive mood after ending their long wait for a win in last Sunday’s Rhine derby against Borussia Mönchengladbach. Steffen Baumgart’s side had picked up just one point in their opening seven league games, before they faced their rivals on matchday eight.
Die Geißböcke took a narrow lead into half time thanks to Florian Kainz’s ninth-minute penalty, before Gladbach hit back just after the hour mark. Köln’s hopes of claiming all three points were given a boost when Manu Koné was sent off in the 72nd minute. Kainz subsequently restored his side’s advantage, dispatching his second spot-kick of the contest, and there was still time for Luca Waldschmidt to find the net to wrap up a 3-1 victory.
The precious win lifted Baumgart’s off the foot of the table and up to the relegation playoff spot. With two points still separating them from safety, Köln will be keen to pick up another victory this weekend. They head to the Red Bull Arena with hopes of beating Leipzig in an away game for the first time since February 2018.
Team News
The visitors are unable to call upon Philipp Pentke and Jacob Christensen, while Saturday's contest may come too soon for Jan Thielmann.