1. FC Koln will go up vs Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga on Saturday, with the visitors desperate to defend their title.
Bayern Munich come into the game vs 1. FC Koln on the back of a defeat against RB Leipzig, and they will be desperate to pick up all three points here. The German champions are currently second in the league table, two points adrift of Borussia Dortmund.
Both teams will be playing their final game of the season tomorrow, and Bayern cannot afford to drop points here if they are serious about winning the league title. The visitors will be hoping to pick up all three points here, and they will need Borussia Dortmund to drop points in order to win the league title.
The last time these two sides met in the Bundesliga, 1. FC Koln managed to grind out a point away from home and they will be hoping to get something out of this contest as well. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Final training session before the last game of the season tomorrow⚽💪#KOEFCB #packmas pic.twitter.com/k3YzDmMW3y
— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) May 26, 2023
Team News & Tactics
1. FC Koln
The home side will be without Mark Uth and Steffen Tigges because of injuries. Koln will shape up in a 4-5-1 formation with Marvin Schwabe in goal. In the back four, Benno Schmitz and Jonas Hector will start as the full-backs. Timo Hubers and Julian Chabot will start as the central defenders here.
Linton Maina and Florian Kainz will be deployed as the wingers, and they will look to create counter-attacking opportunities for their side. The two players will look to cover the full-backs as well.
Dejan Ljubicic will start alongside Ellyes Skhiri and Eric Martel in the central midfield. They will look to protect the central defenders and recycle possession here. Davie Selke will lead the line for the home side.
Probable Lineup (4-5-1): Schwabe; Schmitz, Hubers, Chabot, Hector; Maina, Ljubicic, Skhiri, Martel, Kainz; Selke
Bayern Munich
Lucas Hernandez and Manuel Neuer are ruled out for the away side with injuries. Yann Sommer will start in goal as Bayern look to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Noussair Mazraoui and Joao Cancelo will be deployed as the full-backs, and they will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch. Meanwhile, Benjamin Pavard will partner with Matthijs De Ligt at the heart of the defence.
Joshua Kimmich will start alongside Leon Goretzka in the midfield pivot. They will look to add defensive cover and drive to the side. Thomas Muller should be the central attacking midfielder here, and he will look to link up with Serge Gnabry who is set to lead the line. Leroy Sane and Kingsley Coman will be the wide players here. They will look to add pace and flair to the side.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Sommer; Mazraoui, Pavard, de Ligt, Cancelo; Kimmich, Goretzka; Sane, Muller, Coman; Gnabry
Key Stats
- Bayern Munich have won their last eight away matches against 1. FC Koln in all competitions.
- Bayern Munich have been winning at both half-time and full-time in seven of their last eight away matches against 1. FC Koln in all competitions.
- 25 goals have been scored in the last six matches between these two teams.
- 1. FC Koln have scored eight goals in their last three matches across all competitions.
- Bayern Munich have conceded in four of their last six matches across all competitions.
Player to Watch
Serge Gnabry
The German international is our player to watch out for. He has been in red-hot form recently, and he will be looking to punish the Koln defence here. Gnabry has five goals in his last four outings, and he should be able to get on the scoresheet here as well.
Prediction
1. FC Koln 1-2 Bayern Munich
The home side managed to grind out a point away from home against Bayern Munich. But this will be a tough outing. Bayern Munich have everything at stake here, and they will be desperate for the win. The visitors have a better set of players as well. They should be able to edge this one.
The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win away from home. But with Borussia Dortmund having a favourable clash at home against Mainz, grabbing the three points on Saturday might not be enough to retain their title for Bayern Munich.
