Leverkusen vs FC Koln Prediction, Preview, Predicted Lineups and Team News | DFB-Pokal, February 5, 2025

Leverkusen vs FC Koln Preview

• Competition: DFB-Pokal.
• Date: Wednesday, February 5.
• Time: 7:45 PM GMT.
• Venue: BayArena.

Leverkusen vs FC Koln will take place at the BayArena in the quarter-finals of the DFB-Pokal on February 5 as the competition is nearing the closing stages.

The hosts will enter this contest on the back of a decent run of form. They have won three of their last five matches, losing one and drawing one. In this run, Leverkusen have netted 11 goals and conceded six goals, keeping one clean sheet in the process as well. Since losing to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, they are unbeaten in three matches. Leverkusen secured a 3-1 win at home against Hoffenheim in their last match.

Koln, on the other hand, are also in pretty good form heading into this match. They have won three of their last five matches as well, losing one and drawing one. They have scored nine goals and conceded seven, keeping one clean sheet as well. However, they will have to improve defensively. Koln have won their last two matches with ease, defeating Elversberg 1-0 and Braunschweig 2-1 away from home. They will derive confidence from those results.

On that note, let’s take a look at the team news coming out of both camps.

Leverkusen Team News

Manager Xabi Alonso fielded a strong lineup in his team’s last match and the players responded by putting in good performances. He used five substitutes as well, but Nathan Tella picked up a knock and could miss the next match.

The team will be without three players for the next match. Jeanuel Belocian (cruciate ligament), Martin Terrier (Achilles tendon), and Nathan Tella (hip) will all miss out as they continue to recover from their injuries.

FC Koln Team News

Manager Gerhard Struber fielded a strong lineup in his team’s last match and every player on the pitch performed well as they won 2-1. He used four subs as well, with Florian Kainz picking up a knock and needing to be replaced.

They will be without several players for the next match. Kainz (knock), Julian Pauli (concussion), Mark Uth (calf), Mathias Olesen (back), Tim Lemperle (muscle), Jacob Steen Christensen (cruciate ligament) and Luca Kilian (cruciate ligament) will all miss out as they continue to recover from their injuries.

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Leverkusen vs FC Koln Predicted Lineups

Leverkusen Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1)

Goalkeeper: Matej Kovar.

Defenders: Nordi Mukiele, Mario Hermoso, Piero Hincapie.

Midfielders: Jeremie Frimpong, Aleix Garcia, Granit Xhaka (C), Alejandro Grimaldo.

Forwards: Emiliano Buendia, Florian Wirtz, Patrik Schick.

FC Koln Predicted Lineup (3-4-1-2)

Goalkeeper: Marvin Schwabe.

Defenders: Timo Hubers, Joel Schmied, Dominique Heintz.

Midfielders: Jusuf Gazibegovic, Dejan Ljubicic, Eric Martel, Leart Paqarada.

Forwards: Denis Huseinbasic, Damion Downs, Steffen Tigges.

Head-to-Head Record

Koln were relegated from the Bundesliga just last season, so these teams will be facing for the first time this season. However, they have played regularly up until this point, with Leverkusen winning three of the last five meetings. FC Koln have won the other two matches.

Key Players to Watch

Patrik Schick (Leverkusen)

The towering striker is joint-top contributor for Leverkusen in this competition with two goal contributions, alongside Nathan Tella and Alejandro Grimaldo. He has scored five goals in his last five games, which came from seven shots on target. Schick has also made three blocks and one successful take-on in this time.

Linton Maina (FC Koln)

The midfielder has not featured for Koln in their last two matches but has been the top contributor for the team with two assists and one goal. In his last five matches, he has provided two assists, attempted two shots on target, and also made two interceptions. He will probably come off the bench in the next one.

Leverkusen vs FC Koln Prediction

Going by the recent head-to-head record, it seems pretty evenly matched. However, Leverkusen will want to give themselves a shot at winning silverware come the end of the season and will give it their all to win and progress to the semi-finals.

Prediction: Leverkusen 3-1 FC Koln

Where to watch Leverkusen vs FC Koln live?

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