On Friday night, Koln hosts Hertha Berlin at the RheinEnergieStadion, which could be a pivotal game in the visitor's survival hopes in the Bundesliga.
Koln form guideThe Billy Goats have found some decent form of late in the Bundesliga, winning three of their last five games and losing just once in their previous six league games. A surprise 2-1 win at Bayer Leverkusen last time out in the German top flight moved Stefan Baumgart’s team ten points clear of the relegation play-off spot.
Koln has been poor on home soil of late in the Bundesliga, as they are winless in five home games in the German top flight. Koln has had major issues scoring on home soil, having scored just once in their last five home games in the league.
Hertha Berlin form guideThe visitors are rock bottom of the Bundesliga table, three points from the relegation play-off spot and five points adrift of 15th place Schalke.
Despite their lowly position in the table, Hertha ended an eight-game winless run in the German top flight by recording a 2-1 victory over fellow strugglers Stuttgart. The victory also ended a four-goal losing run in the Bundesliga for Hertha.
Hertha Berlin has been woeful on their travels of late in the Bundesliga, as the boys from Berlin have failed to win in their last 12 league games away from home, having suffered ten defeats and picked up just two draws.
Latest team newsKoln will be without the injured Mark Uth, while Benno Schmitz is suspended, while Timo Hubers and Florian Dietz are fitness doubts. Meanwhile, Hertha Berlin will be missing Kelian Nsona and Tolga Cigerci look set to miss out through injuries. Defender Marc Oliver Kempf is also a doubt.
What am I backing?Both teams showed encouraging signs last time out in the Bundesliga. Koln’s home form has been poor lately, but Hertha has been horrendous on their travels. I am backing Koln to record a rare home victory.