Prediction: Koln vs Bayern Munich

Verdict: Bayern Munich win & Both teams to score

Best Odds: 6/4

Bookmaker: Luckster

Hoping to temporarily climb back to the top of the Bundesliga table, Bayern Munich will make the trip to Koln on Friday night.

Koln

Starting with the hosts, while Koln might have shocked many last season as they narrowly missed out on the chance to book a top-half finish, Steffen Baumgart’s side have come crashing back down to earth this time around. Marking their return from November’s international break at the heart of a relegation scrap and three points adrift of top-flight safety, the Billy Goats will be more than aware that they face a monumental challenge here. Heading into the fortnight interval with an uninspiring 1-1 stalemate away at fellow strugglers Bochum, Koln have recorded just a single victory from their first 11 Bundesliga appearances. Likewise, crashing out of the DFP Pokal on October 31st thanks to an infamous 3-2 loss away at second-tier outfit Kaiserslautern, Baumgart’s struggling squad are rightfully tipped as a landslide underdog on Friday night.

Team News

While academy graduate Damion Downs might have suffered a minor knock prior to the fortnight interval, the 19-year-old is expected to make his return here. However, yet to make a single Bundesliga appearance since arriving from Danish outfit Nordsjaelland over the summer, Jacob Christensen is still a major doubt this weekend.

Finding the net away at Bochum prior to November’s international break and recording three Bundesliga strikes this season, 28-year-old Davie Selke will spearhead Baumgart’s attack on Friday night.

Bayern Munich

As for the visitors, heading into November’s international break with an action-packed 4-2 victory at home against Heidenheim, Bayern Munich are in the midst of a stellar purple patch. Breezing their way to the Champions League knockout stage earlier in the month and with many tipping the German giants as a genuine European contender this season, Thomas Tuchel’s side should find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Looking to temporarily climb back to the top of the Bundesliga standings here, Friday’s guests have won eight of their previous nine appearances across all fronts. With their extended purple patch stemming back to a 2-2 stalemate against RB Leipzig on September 30th, the former Chelsea boss will be calling on his superstar squad to make another statement of intent this weekend. Gaining a fearsome reputation for their free-scoring performances in the final third, Bayern should be relishing a trip to Koln here.

Team News

Bayern Munich will be with the services of midfield talisman Joshua Kimmich on Friday night as the Germany international serves the final match of his three-game suspension. Likewise, Tuchel’s side will also be without Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt after the 24-year-old sustained a knee injury.

In the midst of a history-making start to life in Munich and already bagging 17 strikes in his first 11 Bundesliga appearances this season, England skipper Harry Kane will once again have a leading role to play at the RheinEnergieStadion.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Koln and Bayern Munich last met back on May 27th, the reigning German champions picked up a 2-1 victory at the RheinEnergieStadion.
• Likewise, Tuchel’s free-scoring squad have won seven of their previous eight appearances across all formats.
• England skipper Harry Kane has bagged a stunning 17 Bundesliga goals in his first 11 appearances.
• Koln have managed to muster just a single Bundesliga win from any of their first 11 top-flight contests this season.
• The Billy Goats have recorded just one domestic victory against Bayern Munich since way back in February 2011.

Conclusion

Heading into November’s international break with an action-packed 4-2 victory at home against Heidenheim, there is no doubt that Bayern Munich will be smelling the chance to make another Bundesliga statement here. Firing on all cylinders and already cruising their way to the Champions League knockout stage, Tuchel’s men should be smelling a golden opportunity on Friday night. With Koln registering just a single win from any of their first 11 Bundesliga appearances this season, the Billy Goats have also notched just one victory against the defending champions since way back in February 2011.

Verdict: Bayern Munich win & Both teams to score

Best Odds: 6/4

Bookmaker: Luckster