Köln vs. Mainz preview: Can Köln win back-to-back games?
Köln host Mainz at the Rhein-Energie Stadion on Sunday evening in a relegation six-pointer. Mainz are looking to get out of the bottom three whilst Köln are looking win once again.
Köln
With only one loss in their last four Bundesliga outings, Köln will hope to build on this record with another win against Mainz. In their last game, they managed to win their first away game this season against Darmstadt.
Köln have the opportunity to win two games in a row for the first time since May. However, poor form in front of goal has halted 'The Billy Goats' this season in their bid to distance themselves from relegation.
Striker Davie Selke will hope to be on the scoresheet again this weekend and with four goals so far he is Köln's top scorer in the Bundesliga.
Following the victory versus Darmstadt, manager Steffen Baumgart said: "In my view, we didn't concede any big chances against Darmstadt but it could have gone wrong in the last minute. Apart from that, I thought we defended very well."
Team News
For Köln, Sargis Adamyan is out with a hip injury and Faride Alidou is suffering from a muscular problem which has ruled him out for this fixture. No other players are expected to be doubts or miss the game versus Mainz.
Mainz
Coach Jan Siewert suffered his first defeat as Mainz manager last weekend in a poor performance against Freiburg.
With over two expected goals, it is fair to say Mainz squandered their chances against Freiburg last week and were unlucky to not at least grab a point.
Both teams currently sit in the bottom two for goals scored in the Bundesliga this season, with Mainz hoping to change this statistic in their favour.
Mainz also have been struggling for goals with their key striker Ludovic Ajorque having only scored one goal this season.
Despite this, the return of Jonathan Burkardt against Hoffenheim a few weeks ago following a lengthy injury will be a boost for Mainz for the coming game.
Following defeat to Freiburg, manager Jan Siewert said: "How little chances Freiburg had is really noteworthy. We will prepare for the game against Köln and do everything so that the match ends in our favour."
Team News
All these players are still injured for Mainz: Josuha Guilavogui (hamstring problem), Andreas Hanche-Olsen (ankle), Nelson Weiper (hamstring), Maximilian Leitsch (thigh injury) and Edimilson Fernandes (thigh injury). Apart from all these injuries, Robin Zentner is a doubt for the game due to his broken finger.