Cologne vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach: probable line-ups, match stats and LIVE blog!

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Modeste only has Robert Lewandowski (14) and Erling Haaland (nine) ahead of him in the goalscoring charts this season, the 33-year-old Frenchman - third in the Torjägerkanone race behind Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Lewandowski in 2016/17 - turning back the clock with the Billy Goats this term. Cologne's talisman only featured for the first half of last Sunday's 1-1 draw with fellow Carnival club Mainz, though, a knock to the pelvis seeing him replaced by Sebastian Andersson. Head coach Steffen Baumgart will give his star striker all the time he needs to prove his fitness, but is definitely without first-choice goalkeeper Timo Horn. Marvin Schwäbe, who played in the DFB Cup wins over Carl Zeiss Jena and VfB Stuttgart, will deputise as Cologne look to extend their unbeaten home run to seven matches.

Gladbach are three points better off than Cologne in mid-table. Had they been able to replicate their home form on the road, the Foals would be much closer to the top four. Adi Hütter's side have collected 14 points and are yet to taste defeat at the Borussia-Park, but have claimed just four on their travels, winning one of six. Jonas Hofmann has been the standout with a team-leading six goals, while captain Lars Stindl returned to form with a hat-trick of assists in last weekend's 4-0 win over rock-bottom Greuther Fürth. Alassane Plea was also among the goals, and should retain his place in attack ahead of Marcus Thuram and the injured Breel Embolo. Dennis Zakaria is set to continue in a central defensive role, meanwhile, with Nico Elvedi battling to overcome an ankle injury sustained in the 1-1 draw at Mainz prior to the November international break.

Match stats

Modeste is the Billy Goats' star man this term with eight league goals. He has netted five times in 10 matches against Gladbach during his career.

Ellyes Skhiri is Cologne's next best for goals in 2021/22 with three.

Fourteen of the home side's 18 goals this season have come after half-time.

Six goals is the same number Hofmann managed in the whole of the 2020/21 campaign.

Gladbach have collected 14 points from their last seven matches after getting only a win and a draw in their opening five games.

The Foals have picked up just four points from a possible 18 in six away games this season, however.

Probable line-ups

Cologne: Schwäbe - Schmitz, Kilian, Czichos, Hector (c) - Skhiri, Özcan - Kainz, Ljubicic, Uth - Modeste

Out: T. Horn (knee)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Steffen Baumgart

Gladbach: Sommer (c) - Ginter, Zakaria, Bensebaini - Herrmann, Neuhaus, Kone, Scally - Hofmann, Stindl (c) - Plea

Out: Doucoure (Achilles), Embolo (hamstring), Jantschke (facial fracture)

Doubtful: Beyer (thigh), Elvedi (ankle), Kramer (thigh)

Coach: Adi Hütter