A resurgent FC Koln side are ready to take on the incoming challenge from an out-of-sorts RB Leipzig side with plenty at stake for both teams.

Lukas Kwasniok has had a good few weeks owing to FC Koln’s performances in the Bundesliga ahead of the visit of RB Leipzig. Having won two of their last four games, Koln are eager to make it three in that period as they welcome an out-of-sorts RB Leipzig side at the RheinEnergieStadion on Sunday.

Wins over relegation contenders Mainz and then to another one of their close rivals, Wolfsburg, have elevated their position in the standings. Kwasniok’s men are currently five points clear of the drop zone, but they cannot rest on their laurels just yet, especially with 14 games still to play.

Meanwhile, the visitors, RB Leipzig, are on a horrendous run of form heading into the game on Sunday. Ole Werner’s men have won only two of their last seven league games, which has seen them drop out of the top four.

To add further context, earlier in the season, Leipzig appeared like the only team in a position to challenge Bayern Munich for the title, but like the last many years, they now seem primed to battle for a top-four place.

More concerning are their last two results, with losses to relegation sides like Mainz and St Pauli have dampened the mood, while their away from also speak volumes about where the improvements are needed. Leipzig comes to the RheinEnergieStadion with only one away win since October, although Werner will want that statistic changed on Sunday against FC Koln.

Team News & Tactics

FC Koln

Kwasniok has a long list of injured players to deal with ahead of this crucial home clash against Leipzig. There are at least eight first-team stars either missing through injuries or another problem.

Timo Hubers, Luca Kilian, Dominique Heintz, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, Lintona Maina and Allesio Castro-Montes are definitely out with injury issues. There are doubts with Joel Schmied and Marius Bulter, although the duo could potentially return ot the squad for Sunday.

Kwasniok could stick with his standard 4-4-2 shape, with Rav Van den Berg and Cenk Ozkacar in central defence. Sebastian Sebulonsen and Kristoffer Lund will play in the full-back roles. Kwasniok will prefer Tom Krauss and Eric Martel in his midfield setting, with Jan Thielmann and Jakub Kaminski in the wide areas.

Kon will persist with Ragnar Ache in the frontline, while he will be partnered by Said El Mala, following the club’s rejection of a big bid for the latter from Brighton in the January window.

Probable Lineup (4-4-2) – Schwabe; Sebulonsen, Berg, Ozkacar, Lund; Thielmann, Martel, Krauss, Kaminski; Ache, Mala

RB Leipzig

For Werner, there are not many issues to deal with apart from the absences of Viggo Gebel, Assan Ouedraogo and Castello Lukeba. The Leipzig boss will also have a new option in Brajan Gurda, who joined from Brighton on loan for the remainder of the season. However, the club have seen Timo Werner depart for the San Jose Earthquakes.

Beyond that, Werner could have a strong setup to choose from, as he will persist with a 4-3-3 shape, with Willi Orban and El Chadaille Bitshiabu leading the backline from their central positions. RidleBaku and David Raum in the full-back roles.

Nicolas Seiwald will sit at the base of their midfield, with Xaver Schlager and Christoph Baumgartner on either side in the midfield three. Antonio Nusa and the in-demand Yan Diomande will provide the width from their wing roles, with Romulo leading the line.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3) – Gulaxsi; Baku, Orban, Bitshaibu, Raum; Schlager, Seiwald, Baumbartner; Diomande, Romulo, Nusa

Key Stats

• FC Koln have won 2 of their last 3 games.
• FC Koln are 5 points clear of the relegation zone.
• RB Leipzig have won their last 3 matches against FC Koln in all competitions.
• RB Leipzig have scored at least 3 goals in their last 3 matches against FC Koln in all competitions.

Player to Watch

Yan Diomande

Embed from Getty Images

The Ivorian defender has been a revelation since joining Leipzig over the summer, and he has been having a scintillating season on a personal front. Seven goals and five assists in the Bundesliga alone have put him on the radars of some of the top teams on the continent, as he must continue to deliver at the highest level to help Leipzig out in a big way.

Diomande has three goal contributions in as many Bundesliga games heading into the weekend, and will look to improve his numbers on Sunday. Diomande will be Leipzig’s key threat, and manager Werner will hope he creates problems for the FC Koln defenders.

Prediction

FC Koln 2-1 RB Leipzig

Leipzig will usually be treated as the favourites coming into a game like this one, but the circumstances are different this time around. Having won just once in their away trials since October, and given the form Koln are in, it’s difficult to see the visitors getting anything out of this one.

Koln are in a much better vein of form compared to Leipzig, and the tremendous support of their home fans could add a new layer to their chances. The hosts are likely to nick three points here, which could cause Leipzig trouble with their top four objectives.