By Content Editor
22 October 2021, 16:50 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
Match Preview 1. FC Köln vs Bayer 04 Leverkusen Bundesliga Oct 24, 2021

The German Bundesliga fixture, 1. FC Köln vs. Bayer 04 Leverkusen, kicks off at 14:30 (GMT+1) on Sunday, October 24, at the RheinEnergieStadion.

Preview 1. FC Köln Bundesliga, Oct 24, 2021

Preview Köln were thrashed by TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, 5-0, last Friday at the Rhein-Neckar Arena. A brace from Bebou (31', & 49'), coupled with goals from Baumgartner (51'), Dennis Geiger (74'), and Stefan Posch (87') saw the Billy Goats emerge from a baptism of fire in what became their first defeat in five Bundesliga games: DDDWL. Floating in the lower half of the upper half in the Bundesliga table, FC Köln is in 7th place, having picked up 12 points after 3W, 3D, & 2L. Avoiding defeat to Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday will be the ultimate goal for the Billy Goats ahead of their DFB-Pokal second-round fixture against VfB Stuttgart on Wednesday. On Bundesliga Matchday 10, a difficult opponent awaits Köln, in the shape of Dortmund. The Billy Goats average 1.62 goals per game so far this season, having scored 13 goals in eight Bundesliga games. At their end, they have conceded 14 goals (1.75 goals conceded per game), and have a goal difference of -1. Steffen Baumgart will like to quickly forget last Friday’s embarrassing defeat when he appears with Köln at the dug-out. A win for Köln would move the club closer to the top five if Wolfsburg, whose form has dipped, fails to win at the weekend against SC Freiburg. A 4—1—3—2 formation may be seen from Steffen Baumgart with the pair consisting of Modeste and Andersson in attack. Speaking of availability, Skhiri (knee) is ruled out of this fixture, while Ehizibue (groin) and Jannes Horn (hip) remain possible absentees for Sunday.

Preview Bayer 04 Leverkusen Bundesliga, Oct 24, 2021

Preview Bayer 04 Leverkusen picked up a 1-1 draw against Real Betis in Thursday’s Europa League fixture. Last weekend, on the home front, Bayer were on the losing end having suffered a huge 5-1 defeat to Bayern Munich. Patrik Schick (55’) bagged Bayer the consolation, after a brace from Lewandowski (3' & 30’) coupled with goals from Thomas Müller (34') and Serge Gnabry (35' & 37') put the game beyond Leverkusen. That defeat saw Bayer Leverkusen drop one spot to 3rd place. It was also the second of its kind for Leverkusen in five games: LWWWL, leaving the club with 16 points after 5W, 1D, & 2L. An impressive haul of 21 goals after eight Bundesliga games leaves Die Werkself with an average of 2.62 goals scored per game. However, the club has conceded 12 goals (1.5 goals per 90 minutes) and has a goal difference of +9. Gerardo Seoane’s 4—2—3—1 formation will leave Schick in attack once again. Aranguiz (calf), Baumgartlinger (knee), and Fosu-Mensah (knee) are all ruled out for this fixture.

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