Hertha Berlin claimed a 2-1 win over Stuttgart in a relegation six-pointer a week ago to give themselves a lifeline in the relegation battle.
With three matchdays to play, Hertha are three points off the relegation-promotion playoff place and five points off safety.
On matchday 32, Hertha Berlin will face off with Koln. The Billy Goats are 11th in the Bundesliga standing and are also coming off a win.
Koln surprised high-flying Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 a week ago. Now, the Billy Goats are looking for their fourth win in the last six Bundesliga matches.
Hertha Berlin defeated Koln in the reverse fixture 2-0. Wilfried Kanga scored in the ninth minute to put Hertha on top. Marco Richter doubled Berlin’s lead on 54 minutes.
Koln are hoping for better against Hertha this time around and are in good form. They took 11 points from the last 18 points on offer in the league, scoring nine goals and conceding five times.
The Billy Goats are safe from relegation with three games left to play. The team is also out of the running for Europe.
Can Hertha make the most of playing a Koln team that has nothing to play for?
Hertha Berlin picked up four points from the last six matches. Their win over Stuttgart ended a two-match losing streak in the league.
The Old Lady was outscored 14-7 by the last six Bundesliga opponents.
The capital club is the Bundesliga’s worst team on the road. Hertha took just five points from 15 away matches, posting a –22-goal difference.
The Blue and White conceded the second-most goals (62) in the league in the opening 31 matches. Hertha scored the third-fewest goals with 37.
Hertha forward Kelian Nsona is out with an ACL injury. Forward Richter could be fit following a knock. Defender Marc-Oliver Kempf has a head injury and could miss the fixture.
Koln defender Bruno Schmitz is ruled out due to a suspension. Forward Mark Uth is finished for the season following a groin injury. Midfielder Florian Dietz is also out for the rest of the campaign following a knee injury.
Koln have struggled at home recently. However, they are playing the league’s worst away team. Koln should eke out a win at home over Hertha Berlin, putting more pressure on the capital club in the relegation fight.
The Billy Goats should post a 2-1 win against Hertha, avenging their defeat earlier this season in Berlin.