Prediction: Koln vs Mainz

Verdict: Koln win and both teams to score

Best Odds: 12/5

Bookmaker: Bet365

With the Bundesliga making its return behind closed doors this weekend, Koln will be hoping to carry on where they left off in March when they welcome Mainz to the RheinEnergieStadion on Sunday afternoon.

Koln

Starting with the hosts, while Koln may have entered the unexpected break with a 2-1 defeat away at Champions League hopefuls Borussia Mönchengladbach back in March, they have continued to catch the eye during the second half of the season. Still dreaming of mounting what would be a shock European charge, Head Coach Alexander Wehrle has seen his side win three of their last four Bundesliga outings and have quickly gained a reputation for their performances in the final third. Including what was a stunning 5-0 victory away at Hertha Berlin, the Whites have bagged 10 goals in their last three top-flight wins and they really have one man to thank for that. Making the return from the break as the only player at the RheinEnergieStadion to reach double digits, leading marksman Jhon Cordoba has now recorded 10 Bundesliga strikes in his last 13 appearances.

Team News

Koln boss Alexander Wehrle has confirmed that the trio of Rafael Czichos, Niklas Hauptmann and Ismail Jakobs will all be unavailable this weekend.

However, Koln will be boosted by the news that attacking talisman Jhon Cordoba has overcome a minor knock and will lead the line on Sunday afternoon.

Mainz

As for the visitors, picking up a 1-1 draw against fellow scrappers Fortuna Dusseldorf prior to the enforced break, Mainz find themselves in their own battle at the foot of the table. Making their return to action this weekend holding just a three-point buffer over slipping into the relegation play-off spot, Die Nullfünfer should take some solace from their performances after a horror run entering February. Aside from what eventually turned out to be a 4-0 hammering away at European hopefuls Wolfsburg, Head Coach Rouven Schröder has seen his side lose just one of their last five Bundesliga appearances. If Mainz are to extend on what has been their brightest run since opening the New Year, they should also be boosted by their most recent meeting against Sunday’s hosts. Picking up a 3-1 win when the two sides faced off back in November, the Reds are unbeaten in their last three matchups against the Billy Goats.

Team News

Jean-Philippe Mateta will miss out through suspension, having picked up a red card in the 1-1 draw with Dusseldorf last time out.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides faced off earlier in the season, Mainz picked up a 3-1 win on home soil.
• Koln have won three of their last four Bundesliga outings and have bagged 10 goals in that trio of victories.
• Jhon Cordoba has now recorded 10 Bundesliga strikes in his last 13 appearances.
• All bar one of Mainz’s last eight Bundesliga away fixtures have seen over 2.5 goals at full-time.
• Each of Koln’s last four matchups at the RheinEnergieStadion have also seen over 2.5 goals at full-time.

Conclusion

While Mainz may have entered the unexpected break enjoying their brightest run of 2020, Koln should see this weekend as a real chance to extend on their European charge. Picking up nine points out of a possible 12 and previously enjoying what was their brightest attacking run of the season so far, Sunday could prove to be another lively contest at the RheinEnergieStadion. While we do expect Sunday’s hosts to come out with the three points, expect to see plenty of action at both ends of the pitch.

Verdict: Koln win and both teams to score

Best Odds: 12/5

Bookmaker: Bet365