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Koln will take on Schalke in the Bundesliga on Saturday, 24 October, with both teams looking to move away from the relegation zone.
The hosts come into the match two points above Union Berlin in 17th, while Schalke are only out of the drop zone on goal difference.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Koln vs Schalke key stats
- Schalke have lost two of their last three away matches.
- Koln are unbeaten at home this season.
- Two of the last three matches between Koln and Schalke have produced fewer than three goals.
Koln vs Schalke preview: Home comforts are key
Koln vs Schalke — Tale of the Tape
| Koln | vs | Schalke |
|---|---|---|
| 12th | Position | 15th |
| 7 | Points | 5 |
| 8 | Goals For | 4 |
| 11 | Goals Against | 7 |
| 0 | Clean Sheets | 2 |
| 7th | Home / Away Rank | 10th |
After finishing 14th in the Bundesliga last season on their return to the top flight, Koln are hoping to push on this time around, and after six matches, they sit 12th.
While that would represent an improvement, should this be where they finish, their away form so far suggests they could end up embroiled in a relegation battle, with zero points won from their three matches on the road.
On the flip side, their home form is that of a team capable of pushing for a finish in the European places, with all seven of their points coming from their matches at RheinEnergieStadion.
For the match against Schalke, manager Rene Wagner will be without five injured players, including Ragnar Ache, Thijs Dallinga and Imad Rondic.
As for Schalke, a relegation battle is expected after only being promoted to the Bundesliga at the end of last season.
While there is little doubt that a club of their size belongs in the German top flight, it is going to take a couple of years for them to reestablish themselves as a Bundesliga outfit, so this season is all about survival.
So far, Die Konigsblauen have earned five points from their first six matches, and back-to-back defeats since the international break have left them in danger of dropping into the bottom two on Saturday.
Manager Miron Muslic has just one injury concern ahead of this one, with Dejan Ljubicic nursing a knee injury.
Koln vs Schalke form guide & betting tips
| Koln | vs | Schalke |
|---|---|---|
LDLWL |
Form | DWDLL |
| 4 | Points | 5 |
| 15th | Form Table | 14th |
| 5 | Goals For | 4 |
| 9 | Goals Against | 4 |
LWL |
Form (Bundesliga) | DLL |
Whispers predicts: Koln 2-0 Schalke
Koln's strong home form this season combined with Schalke's poor away form naturally leads us to believe this match will finish with a comfortable Koln victory. A home win has been best priced at 11/10, a bet you can make for free via this Betfred welcome offer.
Three of Schalke's last five matches have produced fewer than three goals. Under 2.5 goals has been priced at 13/10.
Said El Mala has scored in two of Koln's three home matches this season. El Mala to score anytime has been priced at 6/4.
> Koln to win at 11/10 (2.10) | Likelihood: Probable
> Under 2.5 goals at 13/10 (2.30) | Likelihood: Possible
> El Mala to score anytime at 6/4 (2.50) | Likelihood: Probable