The winner of this Bundesliga showdown between RB Leipzig and Koln could end up in the top four, which makes Friday’s match a big one.
As it stands, Koln are sixth, while Leipzig are one point behind in seventh. Leipzig have Champions League ambitions once again, and they’re the home favorites for betting online.
- Game: RB Leipzig vs 1. FC Koln
- Location: Red Bull Arena, Leipzig, Germany
- Date/Time: Friday, 2:30 p.m. ET
RB Leipzig vs Koln Betting Preview
Head to Head
Since RB Leipzig were promoted to the Bundesliga for the first time in 2016, they’ve met with Koln nine times. Leipzig have won four matches, Koln two, and they’ve drawn three.
Despite Leipzig’s success, Koln are undefeated in the last three meetings. Most recently, they drew 1-1 in September.
Leipzig Looking Better
A match at the Allianz is a frightening prospect for any team, but RB Leipzig put up a fight against Bayern Munich. Leipzig came back from both 1-0 and 2-1 down with goals from Andre Silva and Christopher Nkunku.
Later, a Josko Gvardiol own goal sunk Leipzig’s chances, and they lost 3-2. The defeat ended a three-game winning streak, but there were certainly some encouraging signs.
Leipzig have improved under Domenico Tedesco, who took over after Jesse Marsch was sacked in early December. They’ve scored at least two goals in five consecutive matches in all competitions and have a host of attacking talent.
Nkunku and Silva have scored in bunches recently but Dani Olmo and Dominik Szoboszlai are now healthy and should make Leipzig one of the better soccer picks for the Europa League.
Goalkeeper Peter Gulasci has also been one of the most consistent performers in the side and kept three consecutive clean sheets before Leipzig fell to Bayern.
The season may have started out poorly for a Leipzig side in a transition period, but all signs point to it finishing strongly. It’d be surprising if they don’t qualify for the Champions League this season. They also just received a boost for next, as Nkunku looks likely to stay.
Koln Relying on Modeste
FC Koln got an important win last weekend, shutting out fellow European contender SC Freiburg 1-0. Anthony Modeste continued his excellent goal-scoring form and got on the scoresheet for a third consecutive match.
The 33-year-old French forward has played with rejuvenated vigor this season and has managed the second-best goals per 90 of his career. His technical ability can be questioned, but he’s got a clear eye for goal and is a poacher’s poacher.
What Koln lack is a secondary scoring option, as Modeste has accounted for nearly half of their 33 goals this season. No other player has more than three league goals. Although, captain and defender Jobas Hector has scored twice against Leipzig in his career.
Concerningly, Koln are the only side in the top half of the Bundesliga with a negative goal difference. They’re not a side that’s been a consistently solid pick for online gambling, but are capable of a result.
They haven’t lost on the road in the Bundesliga since October. To be fair, though, they haven’t played a team on Leipzig’s level away from home since then.
Prediction
The formula is clear for Leipzig, shut down Modeste and they should win. I also think they’ll be kicking themselves over not getting a result at Bayern Munich and put on a good showing here.
Koln won’t be able to cope with Leipzig’s marauding attack and won’t be able to cover the spread.
Bet on soccer this Friday and take RB Leipzig -1.
Pick: RB Leipzig -1 (-140)
