Cologne vs. Eintracht Frankfurt: probable line-ups, match stats and LIVE blog!

Latest

Modeste could only watch on as Cologne suffered a comprehensive 3-1 loss to RB Leipzig on Matchday 22. It was the first game the Frenchman has missed of a vintage season already comprising a team-leading 14 goals, including six across his last six appearances. If he doesn't recover in time for the weekend, head coach Steffen Baumgart will likely keep faith with Sebastian Andersson, but Mark Uth could be preferred to Jan Thielmann in the supporting role. Ellyes Skhiri should retain his place in midfield after making his first start of the year against Leipzig, meaning one from Salih Özcan and Dejan Ljubicic will probably have to content themselves with place on the bench. Timo Horn is set to return in goal for the first time since November, meanwhile, in the absence of new No.1 Marwin Schwäbe.

Frankfurt were also beaten last weekend, losing 2-0 at home to Wolfsburg. The form team in the latter part of 2021, Die Adler have taken just four points from a possible 15 in the Rückrunde, falling from sixth to 10th in the standings a result, albeit just a point behind Cologne and three adrift of the top four. Talismanic left winger Filip Kostic was only fit enough for a second-half cameo against Wolfsburg, but should return to head coach Oliver Glasner's starting-line at the expense of Christopher Lenz. Timmy Chandler, an unused substitute on Matchday 22, is an alternative to Danny da Costa on the opposite flank - ditto Borussia Dortmund loanee Ansgar Knauff. Veteran defender Makoto Hasebe is also in contention after bruising his ribs.

Match stats

Of the 11 Bundesliga games in which Modeste has scored this season, Cologne have lost one. In contrast, they've been beaten in four of the 11 without a Modeste goal.

Cologne are 11 points better off than at the same stage last season. Frankfurt are 11 worse off.

The Billy Goats have never lost two Bundesliga games in a row under Baumgart. Curiously, they have played out more draws with Frankfurt than any other Bundesliga club (28).

Eintracht's six-goal Borre is four league games without scoring for the first time since October-November.

Kostic has never scored in 11 attempts against Cologne, but has produced six assists. He's only fared better as a provider in meetings with Hoffenheim (seven assists).

Frankfurt are winless in their last 14 Saturday evening matches (D4, L10).

Probable line-ups

Cologne: T. Horn - Schmitz, Kilian, Hübers, Hector (c) - Skhiri - Ljubicic, Duda, Kainz - Modeste, Uth

Out: Schwäbe (not included)

Doubtful: J. Horn (knock), Schindler (knock)

Coach: Steffen Baumgart

Frankfurt: Trapp - Tuta, Hinteregger (c), N'Dicka - Da Costa, Sow, Jakic, Kostic - Lindstrom, Kamada - Borre

Out: Ache (hamstring), Paciencia (thigh), Ramaj (knee

Doubtful: Hasebe (ribs), Rode (knee)

Coach: Oliver Glasner