1. FC Köln vs Bayer Leverkusen preview: A home derby win to stay up?

TL;DR

1. FC Köln faces Bayer Leverkusen in a crucial home derby as they seek to maintain their Bundesliga status. Köln is unbeaten in their last five matches, including a recent draw against St. Pauli.

Key points

1. FC Köln is unbeaten in last five Bundesliga games
Köln drew 1-1 against St. Pauli in their last match
Said El Mala gave his penalty to teammate Luca Waldschmidt
The match against Bayer Leverkusen is a home derby
Köln aims to maintain their Bundesliga status

1. FC KölnBayer Leverkusen

1. FC Köln vs Bayer Leverkusen preview: A home derby win to stay up?

FC Köln

Köln are unbeaten in their last five Bundesliga games including a 1-1 draw against St. Pauli in their last game coming from behind.

Köln winger Said El Mala once again made headlines, but this time for his selflessness in giving the deciding penalty to fellow teammate Luca Waldschmidt.

For Köln, one big issue will be the striker as Ragnar Ache got injured in the game against St. Pauli and will be out for the rest of the season.

Replacing him will most likely be Marius Bülter who has however only netted three goals this season with the last one coming back on matchday 11 against Eintracht Frankfurt.

For Köln, a win at home against Leverkusen would mark the first time since 2023 that they've beaten the Rhine side at all in the derby with the four meetings since then all being Leverkusen wins.

Team news

Köln are without Ragnar Ache and both Luca Kilian and Timo Hübers. Eric Martel is one card off a yellow card suspension with nine yellow cards.