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

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Only Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski have had more attempts on goal this season than Modeste, whose three goals have evoked memories of 2016/17 when his 25 fired Cologne into Europe for the first time in a quarter of a century. After very slow starts in their last three Bundesliga campaigns, the Billy Goats have hit the ground running under Steffen Baumgart and embraced his attacking philosophy. Modeste struck again in last weekend's 1-1 draw away at Freiburg, while both home games have heralded three points against Hertha Berlin (3-1) and Bochum (2-1) - either side of a narrow loss in Munich. It's been 39 years since Effzeh last won their first three home fixtures of a top-flight season. Ellyes Skhiri missed last weekend because of a cold, but should be back as usual to anchor the midfield. Baumgart is forced into at least one change, though, with Florian Kainz suspended after his red card in Freiburg. Jan Thielmann is in line to come in for him after missing the last two outings with illness himself.

Silva has got off the mark for new club Leipzig following his summer move from Eintracht Frankfurt, but neither he nor Die Roten Bullen are yet to click into gear. His goal came from the penalty spot in the 4-0 win at home to VfB Stuttgart on Matchday 2. After an opening 1-0 defeat in Mainz, it looked like order had been restored for last season's Bundesliga runners-up. However, further losses have since followed at Wolfsburg (1-0) and at home to Bayern Munich (4-1). Christopher Nkunku became only the third player to score a European hat-trick against a Pep Guardiola team during the week as Leipzig lost a nine-goal thriller away at Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League. The Frenchman is set to continue in the trio behind Silva alongside Dominik Szoboszlai and Emil Forsberg. Dani Olmo is in line to drop out from Wednesday's trip to England. Tyler Adams is expected carry on in compatriot Jesse Marsch's midfield after he was rested last weekend following international duty. Mohamed Simakan and Josko Gvardiol are also set to come into a defence that is still finding its identity after big-name summer departures.

Match stats

Modeste has scored against 15 of the 18 current Bundesliga clubs, Cologne and Leipzig included.

Baumgart has overseen half as many wins after four rounds of fixtures at the Cologne helm as he did across the entire 2019/20 Bundesliga campaign as Paderborn coach.

Cologne have made their best start to a Bundesliga season since 2015/16 (also seven points between Matchdays 1-4).

Silva averaged a goal every 99 minutes in the 2020/21 Bundesliga, compared to 320 so far this term (one in four games).

Leipzig have made their worst ever start to a Bundesliga season.

Die Roten Bullen conceded a league-low 36 Bundesliga goals in 2020/21. They have already shipped six in four so far this term.

Probable line-ups

Cologne: T. Horn - Schmitz, Mere, Czichos, Hector (c) - Skhiri - Thielmann, Ljubicic, Uth - Modeste, Andersson

Out: J. Horn (hip), Kainz (suspended)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Steffen Baumgart

Leipzig: Gulacsi (c) - Mukiele, Orban, Simakan, Gvardiol - Adams, Kampl - Szoboszlai, Forsberg, Nkunku - Silva

Out: Saracchi (knee)

Doubtful: Halstenberg (ankle)

Coach: Jesse Marsch