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After scoring from the bench in Frankfurt's 1-1 draw with VfB Stuttgart, Kostic returned to the starting line up last weekend as the Eagles took a point from the Wolves' den at Wolfsburg. The Serbia international is set to start once again on Saturday as Oliver Glasner continues his search for a first Bundesliga win at the Frankfurt helm. The Austrian coach will have to do without left-back Christopher Lenz for the coming weeks, though, after he suffered a thigh injury. That may see Frankfurt come into this weekend unchanged with Sam Lammers - who fired home his first Bundesliga goal at the Volkswagen Arena last time out - set to keep his place up front.
Cologne's bright start to the season continued on Saturday evening with a 1-1 draw at home to RB Leipzig, extending the side's unbeaten run to three games. Anthony Modeste was on target once again to score his fourth goal in five games, with the Frenchman the focal point of the Billy Goats' resurgence under new head coach Steffen Baumgart. With no new injury concerns following the draw with Leipzig, Baumgart may only make one change with Florian Kainz back from suspension and set to slot into the final third in place of Jan Thielmann.
Match stats
Kostic and Jens Petter Hauge have been Frankfurt's most potent attacking forces this season with two goal involvements each. Rafael Santos Borre - owner of 56 goals in 149 games with River Plate - is yet to open his account.
Die Adler haven't been winless in their opening five Bundesliga games since the 1998/99 campaign, when they avoided relegation on goal-difference.
Despite their stuttering start, Frankfurt are unbeaten in 21 Bundesliga home games stretching back to June 2020. The club record 27 was set in 1973.
Modeste - third behind Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Robert Lewandowski in the 2016/17 Torjägerkanone race - has rolled back the years this season with four goals in five games.
Cologne have picked up eight of a possible 15 points so far, only losing to champions Bayern Munich, who edged their Matchday 2 encounter 3-2. A fourth league game without defeat would be a first for Baumgart.
The Billy Goats would draw level with Frankfurt on 650 all-time Bundesliga wins with victory at the Deutsche Bank Park.
Probable line-ups
Frankfurt: Trapp - Da Costa, N'Dicka, Hinteregger (c), Durm - Sow, Jakic - Borre, Kamada, Kostic - Lammers
Out: Lenz (thigh), Rode (knee), Younes (not included)
Doubtful: Lindström (knock)
Coach: Oliver Glasner
Cologne: T. Horn - Schmitz, Kilian, Czichos, Hector (c) - Skhiri - Ljubicic, Duda, Kainz - Modeste, Uth
Out: J. Horn (hip), Lemperle (ankle)
Doubtful: -
Coach: Steffen Baumgart