Koln vs Hoffenheim prediction, odds & betting tips 21/02/2026

Hoffenheim will continue their charge for a spot in the Bundesliga‘s top four, when they face hosts Koln on Saturday at RheinEnergieSTADION.

The Billy Goats are 12th with 23 points and they have been slipping away from the top half and into the relegation battle in recent weeks, whereas Hoffenheim are third with 45 points and are five ahead of fifth-placed RB Leipzig with 12 games remaining.

Koln vs Hoffenheim prediction: A tale of two attacks

Key stats

• Both teams have scored in nine of Koln's 11 Bundesliga matches at home this season.
• Hoffenheim have scored 18 goals in their seven most recent games.
• Koln have scored one or fewer goals in eight of their 12 home fixtures in all competitions this term.

Correct score prediction: Koln 1-3 Hoffenheim

Koln may have often found the back of the net at home this season, but they have rarely managed to score more than once at RheinEnergieSTADION.

Hoffenheim's attacking performances have been outstanding for some time, and it would be surprising if they failed to claim three points considering their prowess in the final third.

Pre-game odds and win probability: Hoffenheim predicted to win by the bookmakers

• HOME: 9/4 (3.25) – 30.8%

• DRAW: 27/10 (3.7) – 27%

• AWAY: 21/20 (2.05) – 48.8%

*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change

Hoffenheim are the expected winner of this clash, with a probability of 48.8%, though the bookmakers have not ruled out the possibility of a home win considering they have Koln have a 30.8% chance of winning.

You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.

Most recent H2Hs: Hard to separate

Koln emerged as 1-0 winners in the reverse fixture in October 2025, but both sides have won one game each in their past three meetings while settling for one stalemate.

In fact, Hoffenheim have triumphed in two of their last six against their hosts, but so have the Billy Goats, though the visitors did win their prior seven encounters with Koln.

Germany Bundesliga I 03/10/25

TSG Hoffenheim

0

Cologne

1

Germany Bundesliga I 11/02/24

TSG Hoffenheim

1

Cologne

1

Germany Bundesliga I 16/09/23

Cologne

1

TSG Hoffenheim

3

Germany Bundesliga I 22/04/23

TSG Hoffenheim

1

Cologne

3

Germany Bundesliga I 30/10/22

Cologne

1

TSG Hoffenheim

1

Koln preview: Slipping towards relegation

Koln were beaten 3-1 by Stuttgart on Valentine's Day, and that was their third loss in four Bundesliga games, with the result leaving them only four points above the league's 16th-placed relegation playoff spot.

Koln will not be able to select centre-backs Timo Hubers or Luca Kilian due to knee issues, though Joel Schmied, Eric Martel and Cenk Ozkacar are ready to start.

Predicted lineup: Schwabe (GK), Schmied, Martel, Ozkacar, Sebulonsen, Johannesson, Krauss, Lund, Thielmann, Ache & Kaminski

Last five results:

• 14/02/26: Stuttgart 3-1 Koln (Bundesliga)
• 08/02/26: Koln 1-2 RB Leipzig (Bundesliga)
• 30/01/26: Koln 1-0 Wolfsburg (Bundesliga)
• 25/01/26: Freiburg 2-1 Koln (Bundesliga)
• 17/01/26: Koln 2-1 Mainz 05 (Bundesliga)

Hoffenheim preview: Back on track in the race for Europe

Hoffenheim comfortably saw past Freiburg on February 14, winning 3-0 at home to put the disappointment of defeat against Bayern on February 8 behind them, and they have now won six of their last seven games.

Though Robin Hranac and Ozan Kabak would have been candidates to start in central defence anyway, the fact Koki Machida is currently sidelined means they are almost certain to feature on Saturday.

Predicted lineup: Baumann (GK), Coufal, Hranac, Kabak, Hajdari, Promel, Avdullahu, Burger, Kramaric, Asllani & Toure

Last five results:

• 14/02/26: Hoffenheim 3-0 Freiburg (Bundesliga)
• 08/02/26: Bayern Munich 5-1 Hoffenheim (Bundesliga)
• 31/01/26: Hoffenheim 3-1 Union Berlin (Bundesliga)
• 27/01/26: Werder Bremen 0-2 Hoffenheim (Bundesliga)
• 24/01/26: Eintracht Frankfurt 1-3 Hoffenheim (Bundesliga)

Player to watch: Bazoumana Toure

Though Bazoumana Toure has not been particularly prolific for Hoffenheim this season, the winger is only 19 and has shown plenty of promise in Germany's top flight.

Toure has scored two goals and provided five assists in 1,352 minutes for the club in the Bundesliga in 2025-26, though he has failed to score a goal in his last six matches for Hoffenheim.