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

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Apart from a gashed leg that kept him out for two games, captain Hector has been an almost ever-present for a Cologne side who have always produced entertaining games. They started strong, only losing one of their first eight Bundesliga matches - despite UEFA Europa Conference League commitments, too - but fizzled out a bit at the end of 2022. Just one point from their final five matches saw the Billy Goats slide to 13th in the table and only four points above the bottom two. A lengthy injury list across all parts of the team may have posed some issues for coach Steffen Baumgart, but he in fact named his starting XI at his Thursday press conference. It means Davie Selke, fresh from joining from Hertha Berlin, will be on the bench, leaving Steffen Tigges to lead the line, although expect to see the pair together soon given Baumgart has stated that he likes to play with two centre-forwards. Denis Huseinbasic was also named in the team, with Dejan Ljubicic having to watch on after recovering from a knee injury.

Werder already have their own formidable front two in the shape of Füllkrug and Marvin Ducksch. The former's 10 goals in the first part of the campaign saw him handed his first senior caps for Germany and net twice at the World Cup. The 29-year-old's continued strong form will now be key to Bremen's fate this season, which could still go either way as they kick off the new year propping up the top half of the table in ninth. However, the promoted side remain closer to European qualification than relegation, despite back-to-back defeats at the hands of Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig just prior to the break. Coach Ole Werner can also call upon the services of the division's top providing defender in Mitchell Weiser (six assists), while Oliver Burke should be fit to feature if called upon, with Romano Schmid the only regular sidelined going for the trip to Cologne.

Match stats

Hector is set to make his 210th Bundesliga appearance (all for Cologne).

Florian Kainz is Cologne's biggest goal threat in 2022/23, with five of his own and four assists.

Cologne have fallen 1-0 behind in 11 of their 15 games this season - six times in the opening 15 minutes. They have bounced back on six occasions, though, winning three and drawing three, which is more than any other team in the Bundesliga this season.

Füllkrug is second in the league scoring and shots on goal charts (10 and 46 respectively).

Werder are in danger of losing three successive Bundesliga games for this first time this season.

Bremen have not won on their last 10 visits to Cologne, losing four and drawing six. Their last win in the Cathedral City came 17 years ago, a 4-1 triumph on 11 December 2005.

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Probable teams

Cologne: Schwäbe - Schmitz, Hübers, Chabot, Hector (c) - Skhiri, Martel - Maina, Huseinbasic, Kainz - Tigges

Out: Andersson (knee), Dietz (cruciate ligament), Kilian (muscular), Lemperle (ankle), Limnios (cruciate ligament), Pedersen (muscular), Thielmann (thigh), Uth (pelvis)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Steffen Baumgart

Bremen: Pavlenka - Pieper, Veljkovic, Friedl (c) - Weiser, Bittencourt, Groß, Gruev, Jung - Füllkrug, Ducksch

Out: Agu (patella tendon), Schmid (knee)

Doubtful: Burke (thigh)

Coach: Ole Werner

About the clubs 1. FC Köln

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SV Werder Bremen

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