Cologne vs. RB Leipzig: probable line-ups, match stats and LIVE blog!

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Cologne currently sit second from bottom and three points adrift of Hertha Berlin, who have a game in hand, in the relegation pay-off spot - it's four points from Arminia Bielefeld and automatic safety. With Schalke all but gone, it's a scramble to avoid that final automatic drop position. The Billy Goats brought in the experienced Friedhelm Funkel as coach as replacement for Markus Gisdol last week in the hope to turn things around in time, but a 3-0 derby defeat away at Bayer Leverkusen in his first game was not an auspicious start as it continued a nine-match winless run. They will be boosted by the return of one of their top scorers, Ondrej Duda, after he served a one-match suspension, but big Swedish striker Sebastian Andersson's injury-plagued season looks to have no end as he's again a doubt with a knee problem for a team that's won only once at home all campaign.

At the other end of the standings, Leipzig's gap to Bayern Munich grew at the top as they played out a goalless draw with Hoffenheim last Friday and the champions beat Wolfsburg on Saturday. Yussuf Poulsen thought he had grabbed a vital late winner at the Red Bull Arena, only for his stoppage-time effort to be chalked off for handball. The Dane could potentially make his first Bundesliga start in over a month if Julian Nagelsmann decides to shuffle his pack in attack, while Alexander Sörloth is also in contention after his recent brace at Werder Bremen. Further back, Kevin Kampl may slot into midfield, with Lukas Klostermann or Ibrahima Konate joining Dayot Upamecano in a back three. Angelino made his first appearance after a two-month injury layoff against Hoffenheim, and only lasted until half-time before being replaced by Kampl. The Spaniard is expected to keep his place on the left wing - although Amadou Haidara could deputise - as Leipzig try to get back to winning ways and bolster their fading title hopes.

Match stats

Cologne's top scorers in the Bundesliga this term are all midfielders: Duda (5), Elvis Rexhbecaj (5) and Ellyes Skhiri (5). Skhiri has covered more distance than any other player in the German top flight (216.9 miles).

The Billy Goats have failed to win in nine games, the longest current run in the Bundesliga. Their last victory came in the Rhine derby away at Borussia Mönchengladbach (2-1) on 6 February.

Cologne have only kept three clean sheets in the Bundesliga this season, but one of them was in December's reverse fixture against Leipzig (0-0).

The Leipzig scoring charts are also led by midfielders - Marcel Sabitzer (7), Emil Forsberg (6) and Christopher Nkunku (6) - while strikers Sörloth and Poulsen have five each. Forsberg has scored three goals in his six career meetings with the Billy Goats.

Leipzig boast the Bundesliga's best defence, having conceded just 23 goals this term. Cologne's is the second worst after Schalke, they've shipped 53.

Die Roten Bullen have 61 points on the board after 29 matches, matching their club record from 2016/17. That season, their first in the top flight, they finished second in the Bundesliga behind Bayern.

Probable line-ups

Cologne: T. Horn - Ehizibue, Bornauw, Czichos, Katterbach - Skhiri, Hector (c) - Wolf, Rexhbecaj, Kainz - Duda

Out: Jakobs (ankle)

Doubtful: Andersson (knee), Mere (muscular), Thielmann (muscular)

Coach: Friedhelm Funkel

Leipzig: Gulacsi - Klostermann, Upamecano, Orban - Adams, Sabitzer (c), Kampl, Angelino - Olmo, Nkunku - Forsberg

Out: Szoboszlai (groin)

Doubtful: Kluivert (knock), Laimer (match fitness), Hwang (ankle)

Coach: Julian Nagelsmann