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

bundesliga.com, 6 May 2022, 19:33
Will Anthony Modeste get the better of Maxence Lacroix when Europe-chasing Cologne host Wolfsburg on Saturday (kick-off: 3.30pm pm CEST)?
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Cologne go into the penultimate weekend of the season in sixth place, occupying a European spot and just three points back from fourth and the promise of UEFA Champions League football next term. Four wins out of four down the back stretch - during which they've scored at least three times in each of those victories - means the Billy Goats are not only the league's most in-form side, but they're peaking at just the right time. Modeste was at the double in the most recent of those wins as Cologne brushed Augsburg aside on Matchday 31 to make it four goals in his last three appearances for the Frenchman. The form of Mark Uth has seen the one-time Germany international nominated for April's Player of the Month Award and the attacking duo are clearly relishing the run-in. Sebastian Andersson is the only absentee, while Salih Özcan returns from suspension.

Wolfsburg, meanwhile, start the matchday in 13th and are safe in the knowledge that they will be playing Bundesliga football next season. With just four points between them and the top half, it's now up to Florian Kohfeldt's side to see how high they can finish. The front-three of Max Kruse, Lukas Nmecha and Jonas Wind have scored eight times between them over the course of the last four matches, but it was John Brooks who was the unlikely scorer in the 1-1 draw with struggling VfB Stuttgart last time out. With Sebastiaan Bornauw a doubt against his former side, Brooks should continue alongside Lacroix in a back-four for the trip to Cologne. Luca Waldschmidt, William and Paulo Otavio won't be available again until next season.

Match stats

Anthony Modeste has scored eight times in 11 Bundesliga games against Wolfsburg, the most he has mustered against any league opponent in Germany.

Cologne have more than doubled their home points tally compared to last season.

Cologne are unbeaten in their last six home games against Wolfsburg (3 wins). Not since a 3-0 loss on 6 August 2011 have the Billy Goats tasted defeat to the Wolves on home soil.

Steffen Baumgart, who did his DFB training diploma alongside Kohfeldt in 2014/15, played 32 of his 225 Bundesliga games for Wolfsburg (July 1998 to October 1999), scoring five of his 29 career goals there.

Max Kruse has scored all but one of his 25 Bundesliga penalties - he missed on his last visit to Cologne but scored on the rebound as Union Berlin won 2-1.

Kohfeldt's side have not triumphed in any of their last five away matches (3 defeats), and have won just one of their last 11 (0-2 in Frankfurt on Matchday 22).

Probable teams

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

Out: Andersson (not included)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Steffen Baumgart

Wolfsburg: Casteels (c) - Baku, Lacroix, Brooks, Roussillon - Schlager, Arnold, Gerhardt - Wind, L. Nmecha, Kruse

Out: Bornauw (back), Otavio (knee), Waldschmidt (ankle), William (knee)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Florian Kohfeldt

About the clubs VfL Wolfsburg

Volkswagen Arena

1. FC Köln

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