On Sunday afternoon, relegation-threatened Koln host Freiburg at the RheinEnergieStadion, in what is a massive game for the Billy Goats when it comes to their survival in the Bundesliga.
Koln are currently in the relegation play-off spot, but they are also just two points clear of the automatic relegation spots. However, on the flip side, if results go their way this weekend, then they could leapfrog both Arminia Bielefeld and Werder Bremen in the table.
The arrival of experienced head coach Friedhelm Funkel has given the home side a boost. The Billy Goats have now won their last two matches in the German Bundesliga against RB Leipzig and Augsburg, while also scoring at least two goals in each victory.
The sudden goal rush will come as a relief to Koln, as only two teams in the top-flight have scored fewer goals than the Billy Goats this season.
One big factor in Koln’s poor form this season has been their woeful home record, as they have won just two of their last 20 league matches on home soil.
Freiburg have experienced another solid campaign under Christian Streich in the Bundesliga, as the team from the Black Forest currently sit ninth-place in the table.
However, the visitors may be slightly disappointed that they didn’t mount a stronger challenge for the Europa League places after a poor recent run of results.
Although the visitors have taken four points from their last two league matches, they have won just three of their previous 11 matches in the Bundesliga.
Freiburg have not been great on their travels of late either, as they have lost five of their last seven away games in the German top-flight while winning just once in the process.
Forebet predicts that Koln’s survival hopes will be dashed in this one, with Freiburg recording a victory in a high-scoring encounter.