Koln Form and Lineup
Despite a five-match unbeaten run, during this sequence the Billy Goats have only managed one win. Koln have had problems in defence all season – the team have conceded in 10 matches in a row since the beginning of February. Away to Sankt Pauli (1:1) Wagner's side, who are hovering around the relegation play-off zone, salvaged a point only thanks to a late penalty. From open play Koln generated just 0.56 xG and registered only one shot on target.
Key figures for Koln:
In their last five home matches the Billy Goats have picked up only five points and conceded a total of 10 goals.
At home Koln have conceded 25 goals in total. Among the teams above them in the table, only Augsburg have more (26).
Koln have lost three of their last four home head-to-head matches against Bayer.
Potential Koln Lineup (4-1-4-1): Marvin Schwabe – Alessio Castro-Montes, Cenk Ozkacar, Jamaine Simpson-Pusey, Sebastian Sebulonsen – Jakub Kaminski, Isak Johannesson, Jan Thielmann – Said El Mala, Marius Bulter
Out of squad: Timo Hubers (injury)
Bayer Form and Lineup
The Leverkusen side came back strongly after the international break, beating Wolfsburg (6:3) and Borussia Dortmund away (1:0). Before that match the Black and Yellows had only lost in the Bundesliga to Bayern Munich. However, over the past week Bayer have twice failed badly: defeats to Augsburg (1:2) in the league and Bayern Munich (0:2) in the German Cup have hit Julmand's prospects. The coach could lose his job without a Champions League spot, and the chance of a trophy has also gone. On the other hand, against Augsburg the Werkself were unlucky with their finishing – they dominated in terms of chances (3.73 vs 1.30 xG) and simply did not make the most of dangerous situations in front of goal.
Key figures for Bayer:
On the road the Leverkusen side have collected 25 points (the fifth-best record). Only Bayern Munich have passed the 30-point mark.
By xG Bayer trail only two teams in the league – they have 64.26 expected goals in 30 matches.
Before the match against Bayern Munich, Bayer had scored in nine of their previous 10 games. The only exception was the trip to Arsenal (0:2).
Potential Bayer Lineup (5-4-1): Mark Flekken – Edmond Tapsoba, Robert Andrich, Jarell Quansah – Alex Grimaldo, Aleix Garcia, Exequiel Palacios, Lucas Vazquez – Nathan Tella, Ibrahim Maza – Patrik Schick
Out of squad: Martin Terrier, Christian Kouame, Arthur (all injured)
