17 September 2021, 15:17 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
The Bundesliga fixture, F.C. Köln vs. RB Leipzig, kicks off at 17:30 (GMT+1) on Matchday 5, Saturday, September 18 at the 49,698-capacity stadium, RheinEnergieStadion.
Preview 1. FC Köln Bundesliga, Sep 18, 2021
Preview The Billy Goats were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw against SC Freiburg on Matchday 4 at the Dreisamstadion. Taking a look at images from the fourth day of the season, Köln made their way into the game with only one defeat after four games: WLWD, having lost to Bayern on Matchday 2 and were determined to pick up the win. Anthony Modeste (33’) put Köln in the lead with a fine header before Mark Uth struck the woodwork with what could have been the second. The Billy Goats had the lead at the break, but the second half told a different tale. An emboldened Freiburg re-emerged from the tunnel to press for the leveler. A fracas led to a shove and two yellows became red to see off Köln’s Florian Kainz in the 74th minute. Numerically disadvantaged, Köln held on to the thin lead until a misdirected clearance from the club's Raphael Czichos (89’ O.G.) flew past his own keeper and saw Freiburg level. The draw leaves the Billy Goats in 7th place, having picked up 7 points after 2W, 1D, & 1L. The club has an average of 2 goals per game, having scored 8 goals in 4 Bundesliga matches. Furthermore, the Billy Goats have conceded 6 goals, and thus have a goal difference of +2, an average of 1.5 goals conceded-per-game. A 4—4—2 formation is expected from Steffen Baumgart with the duo of Modeste and Andersson in attack against RB Leipzig. On availability, Jannes Hones remains in doubt for this fixture having picked up a hip injury.
Preview RB Leipzig Bundesliga, Sep 18, 2021
Preview Christopher Nkunku (42’, 51’ & 73’) bagged a hattrick in Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League fixture against Manchester City, but it wasn’t enough for the Red Bulls to pick up a point having lost 6-3 to the Premier League champions. On Matchday 4, an unconvincing performance against Bayern Munich saw the Red Bulls pick up a 4-1 defeat, - their third in the league: LWLL. Leipzig occupies 12th place on the Bundesliga table, having 3 points from 1W, 0D, & 3L. They also have 5 goals after four Bundesliga games. Die Roten Bullen have conceded 6 goals so far, and have a G.D. of -1, an average of 1.5 goals conceded per-match. Following the UEFA Champions League defeat to the Cityzens, and Leipzig’s recent struggles in the league after $118M was spent on transfers, American coach Jesse Marsch comes under increasing pressure to win the next few games. An attacking 4—2—3—1 formation with summer signing Andre Silva leading the onslaught against the Billy Goats is anticipated. Marsch could be without Marcelo Saracchi and Marcel Halstenberg for this game.