Cologne vs. Hoffenheim: probable teams, match stats and LIVE blog!

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Tigges was due to play in the UEFA Europa Conference League against Slovacko on Thursday, but foggy conditions in the Czech Republic meant the game was rescheduled for a lunchtime kick-off on Friday. The former Borussia Dortmund striker came on for the final half hour as Cologne dug out a 1-0 victory at the second attempt thanks to an Ondrej Duda penalty. The delay means that the Billy Goats will have a quicker turnaround between matches than usual but Cologne head coach Steffen Baumgart is unlikely to use that as an excuse, and he'll be expecting an improvement on the 5-0 loss at Mainz on Matchday 11. Luca Kilian is suspended following his 28th-minute red card last weekend, so Croatia U21 defender Nikola Soldo could get his second league start of the season. Captain Jonas Hector is out with a foot injury picked up in training, but Tigges and Duda are likely to return from the off as midtable Cologne seek a fourth home win from six league games.

Kabak and Hoffenheim are also looking to get back on track after losing their last Bundesliga fixture. The former Liverpool and Schalke defender couldn't stop his side from losing 2-0 at home to Bayern Munich last week, a result that left Hoffenheim seventh in the table and only one point ahead of Cologne, Borussia Mönchengladbach and RB Leipzig. Defender Kevin Vogt should return to the starting XI after serving a one-game ban, but Munas Dabbur aggravated a shoulder problem against Bayern and will be out until after the winter break. Having got through half an hour against the champions following his own return from injury, Andrej Kramaric should replace the Israeli striker.

Match stats

Tigges has scored in Cologne's last two home games, netting once against Dortmund and then twice against Augsburg.

However, the Billy Goats have not hit the target in any of their last three Bundesliga assignments against Hoffenheim.

Baumgart has not beaten Hoffenheim as a coach, losing three and drawing one.

Alongside goalkeeper Oliver Baumann, Kabak is the only Hoffenheim player not to miss a single minute of action in the Bundesliga this term.

Christoph Baumgartner is set for his 100th Bundesliga appearance. The Austrian has scored four goals in five league outings against Cologne.

Hoffenheim have won each of their last eight Bundesliga encounters with Cologne, their longest such run against any top-flight club.

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Probable teams

Cologne: Schwäbe - Schmitz, Soldo, Hübers, Pedersen - Skhiri, Martel - Maina, Duda, Kainz (c) - Tigges

Out: Andersson (knee), Chabot (ankle), Hector (foot), Kilian (suspended), Lemperle (ankle), Limnios (knee), Ljubicic (knee), Olesen (ankle)

Doubtful: Thielmann (ill)

Coach: Steffen Baumgart

Hoffenheim: Baumann (c) - Kabak, Vogt, Nsoki - Skov, Prömel, Geiger, Angelino - Baumgartner - Rutter, Kramaric

Out: Asllani (ankle), Bebou (knee), Bicakcic (fitness), Dabbur (shoulder), Hübner (ankle), Philipp (finger)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Andre Breitenreiter

About the clubs TSG Hoffenheim

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