Rhine derby as a fateful game for Baumgart?

Steffen Baumgart is a real institution of the Bundesliga. Accordingly, it would be a shame if his time as coach of 1. FC Köln were slowly coming to an end. After the Rostock native, who likes to wear his heart on his sleeve and has therefore achieved cult status among many fans, was able to celebrate great successes with his Geißböcken in recent years, the worm is currently in it. The upcoming Rhine derby against Borussia Mönchengladbach will therefore provide plenty of explosive action and excitement.

This is already underlined by the starting position in the table, as both the Effzeh and the Foals currently find themselves in the bottom third and may have to prepare for a tough and arduous season in the relegation battle. While the guests from the Lower Rhine currently occupy twelfth place, the winless Baumgart team is at the bottom of the table. It is therefore all the more surprising that on Sunday afternoon between Cologne and Gladbach, the bet on a home win is even offered at a lower price.

After the performances shown, it would certainly be a gamble to make a prediction on the cathedral cities in the duel Cologne against Gladbach, however, one knows about the home advantage and about the direct comparison, which recently tended to swing in the direction of the home side. The Geißböcke have lost only one of the last five direct duels against the Foals.

Cologne – statistics & current form

The 1st FC Cologne can win after all! After the 3:1 victory after extra time in mid-August in the first round of the cup against VfL Osnabrück, the fans of the Rhinelanders had to wait two months before they could once again cheer a victory of their favorite team. However, this sense of achievement must be put into perspective across the board, as the 15-0 win was only against a local league team…

In the Bundesliga, on the other hand, the cathedral cities are still waiting for their first three points after seven match days. With a single point, the Geißböcke currently hold the red lantern and with the worst start in their own first division history in the bones. Only in 1992/93 and 2017/18 did they have just one point after seven matches. 2017/18 was the last time Cologne was relegated to the 2nd Bundesliga. Hopefully, this is not a bad omen for coach Steffen Baumgart’s team, who has come under increasing criticism of late and would probably have to seriously fear for his job in the event of another setback.

Cologne with the numbers of a relegated team

The loud motivator’s lack of penetrating power could be his undoing, as the Effzeh have the weakest offense in the German top flight with just four goals scored. In the course of the last four defeats in a row, just two of their own goals were scored, and recently the Baumgart boys even went completely scoreless twice in a row.

Whoever wants to take this harmlessness in the game with the ball as an opportunity to bet on the fact that the last team in the Bundesliga will score at most one goal in the eighth Bundesliga game in a row, can bet on appealing odds of 1.83 between Gladbach and Cologne.

In conclusion, it must also be mentioned that the relegation-threatened traditional club has not been able to pick up a single point in front of a home crowd so far this season. For the first time in their own Bundesliga history, four home defeats in the first four home games are looming. This would be the tenth league match in a row that the club has not won. Coach Baumgart’s standing would hardly rise even with a draw. Actually, Cologne need their first win of this season on Sunday!

Predicted lineup of Cologne:

Gladbach – statistics & current form

For Gladbach, the international break came at an inopportune time. In the two games before the national team departures, the Foals showed positive approaches and a clear upward trend. First, the complicated away game in Bochum was won 3:1, then it was at least enough for a 2:2 at home against Mainz 05. Against the Rheinhessen, however, it was the great morale that made an impression and made the fans confident despite a rather disappointing result.

These encouraging developments must be consolidated and points scored in the third game in a row. For the first time since March/April 2022, Borussia could even land two BL away wins in a row. Between Cologne and Gladbach, the odds on the visitors’ treble currently top out at a very attractive 3.00, which in our eyes definitely brings some veritable value.

Will Gladbach remain unbeaten away from home?

Specially away from home, you have to give coach Gerardo Seoane’s team credit for a lot. The team in twelfth place in the table has picked up five of its six points so far this season at opposing stadiums. The team from the Lower Rhine is one of only five that has not lost away from home this season. What’s more, they have already scored ten (!) goals in three away games, an average of 3.3 per encounter. This explains why the Cologne vs. Gladbach prediction on the Foals finds a place in our top tips table.

Another positive aspect is that Borussia has not shown any weaknesses in games against the respective bottom team in the recent past. Eleven times in a row, the VfL remained without defeat against teams that were in 18th position in the league before the start of the matchday (eight wins, three draws).

In addition, the Foals fans are counting on the starting eleven return of two very important players. New striker Tomas Cvancara has already proven his worth in the first games of the season and should now be ready for his comeback from the start. The same goes for Manu Koné, whose contract was even extended to 2026 during the week. The midfielder, who is being courted by many top clubs, forms a strong central axis with the in-form Florian Neuhaus, who brings more quality and therefore serious advantages compared to the Effzeh.

Predicted lineup of Gladbach:

Cologne – Gladbach Direct comparison / H2H balance

In the Bundesliga, the 97th Rhine derby will take place on Sunday afternoon. A whopping 52 times Borussia Mönchengladbach has left the pitch as the winner so far. In 27 cases, the Cologne team has had the upper hand. 17 draws round off the tally.

The Foals have won 25 of the 48 away games in the top flight alone. The team from the Lower Rhine has not celebrated more victories at any other club. In the five most recent direct encounters, however, the pointer has tended to point in the direction of the billy goats, who have won three of these five encounters. In six home games against the VfL, however, they have only managed two wins.

Cologne – Gladbach Tip

Clear the stage for the explosive and real Bundesliga derby on the Rhine! There is a lot at stake for both teams this weekend as part of Matchday 8 in the top flight. Gladbach could make up ground on the top half of the table with their second away win in a row and confirm the positive trend of recent weeks.

There is far more pressure on the Effzeh, who still do not have a single win after seven matchdays, are in last place in the table, and are still without a point at home. Therefore, we believe that between Cologne and Gladbach, the betting odds should be waived in the direction of a home win.

Instead, we see advantages in the Lower Rhinelanders, who are still unbeaten away from home so far, have scored an average of 3.3 goals per visiting game and have still managed to record four points from the last two games. We like the structure of the game better, the individual quality is higher, and there is nothing to reproach the “new” Borussia in terms of commitment. Quite the contrary!