Prediction: Koln vs Fortuna Dusseldorf

Verdict: Under 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 6/5

Bookmaker: Bet365

With German football once again taking center stage from behind closed doors this weekend, Koln will be looking to make a return to winning ways when they host relegation scrappers Fortuna Dusseldofrd on Sunday evening.

Koln

Starting with the hosts, while Koln boss Markus Gisdol might have been left bitterly disappointed to have seen his side throw away a two-goal lead against Mainz last weekend, the Billy Goats do have plenty of positives after a bright second half to the campaign. Hoping to reclaim their spot in the top half of the table, the Whites have really started to shine in the final third and have one leading marksman who really started off where he finished off in March last weekend. Once again converting from the spot following the enforced break, leading marksman Mark Uth has done a stellar job of leading the line following a loan move from Schalke. The only player in Koln’s camp to reach double digits this season, the 28-year-old has found the net in back-to-back Bundesliga matchups and Uth has recorded five goals in his last seven top-flight appearances, including goals against both Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Team News

Koln pair Kingsley Schindler and Elvis Rexhbecaj are both pushing for starting roles having come off the substitutes’ bench last weekend.

Fortuna Dusseldorf

As for the visitors, while Fortuna Dusseldorf might be showing some much-needed improvements at the back end of the campaign, Uwe Rosler’s side did struggle to make much of an impact following their return last weekend. Playing out what was a sluggish 0-0 stalemate against rock-bottom Paderborn, the Whites open Sunday’s contest sat four points adrift of safety in the relegation play-off spot. However, despite their lackluster display last weekend, Flingeraner are unbeaten in their last four top-flight outings, their most profitable run over the past 16 months. Although the former Brentford boss might have his sights set on guiding Fortuna to what would be a Bundesliga great escape, Sunday’s guests have gained a reputation for their inconsistencies in the final third. With top scorer Rouwen Hennings now without a goal in his last nine appearances, no side in Germany’s top-tier has scored fewer than Fortuna’s 27 strikes this season.

Team News

Kaan Ayhan is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season last time out, so could be replaced in the back three by Mathias Jorgensen.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides faced off earlier in the season, Fortuna Dusseldorf picked up a 2-0 win.
• Sunday’s hosts have lost just one of their last eight Bundesliga matchups on home soil.
• Koln top scorer Mark Uth has five goals in his last seven Bundesliga matchups, including back-to-back strikes.
• Fortuna have drawn their last three top-flight matches on the bounce and have also drawn five of their last seven contests.
• No team in the Bundesliga has scored fewer than Fortuna’s 27 goals this season.

Conclusion

While Koln might open Sunday’s contest confident of making a return to winning ways, this weekend’s meeting could prove to be a cagey encounter. With the two sides playing out draws following their return from the enforced break last week, it should also be noted that no side in the Bundesliga have scored fewer than Fortuna’s 27 strikes this season. With the two sides playing out a 1-1 draw when they last faced off at the RheinEnergieStadion, we’re backing a similar outcome on Sunday evening.

Verdict: Under 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 6/5

Bookmaker: Bet365