Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

FC Kolnvs.Union Berlin

sportsmole.co.uk, 9 May 2024, 16:10
FC Koln will welcome Union Berlin to RheinEnergieStadion for Saturday's crucial clash at the bottom of the Bundesliga table.

The hosts are languishing in 17th place and could be relegated this weekend, while die Eisernen are hovering just above the bottom three with two games left to play.

Match preview

Last weekend, Koln moved to the brink of relegation after they failed to claim all three points in their goalless home draw against European hopefuls Freiburg.

Having won just one of their last 13 matches, the Billy Goats are now in a perilous position with five points separating them from 16th-placed Mainz and six points keeping them from Union in 15th position.

With only two games left to play, Koln's five-year stay in the Bundesliga appears to be nearing its conclusion, but a win on Saturday would at least send their survival fight to the final day of the season.

However, claiming three points will be easier said than done, especially as Koln have never beaten Union in any of their nine Bundesliga meetings (D2, L7).

As a result, the hosts are looking to claim a head-to-head win for the first time since April 2014 when they recorded a narrow 2-1 victory in the second tier.

Marco Grote has been appointed Union interim boss for the second time this season after the decision was made to dismiss Nenad Bjelica following Sunday's 4-3 defeat to relegation rivals Bochum.

After conceding three goals in the first period, Union offered an improved display following the break to run Bochum close at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei, but the second-half performance could not prevent Bjelica from losing his job after less than six months in charge.

The Croatian won five of his first 10 league matches (D2, L3), but his following 10 Bundesliga games produced just one solitary victory (D3, L6).

Union will be guaranteed to avoid automatic relegation if they pick up at least a point this weekend, but they will still be aiming for all three points due to the slender one-point gap that separates them from Mainz in the relegation playoff spot.

While Koln have scored the fewest goals in the Bundesliga, Union head into the weekend as the second-lowest scorers, and their struggles in front of goal are demonstrated by the fact they have failed to find the net in any of their last four away matches.

FC Koln Bundesliga form:

D

W

L

L

D

D

Union Berlin Bundesliga form:

D

L

L

L

D

L

Team News

The hosts remain without the injured trio of Luca Kilian (knee), Florian Dietz (shoulder), and Davie Selke (metatarsal).

In positive news, Mark Uth, Leart Paqarada and Dejan Ljubicic could be available for selection after returning to training following their respective bouts of illness.

Julian Chabot was forced off against Freiburg with a thigh problem, but Koln boss Timo Schultz is hopeful the defender will be passed fit for Saturday's home clash.

Although Union have reported no fresh injury concerns, they are still unable to call upon Danish goalkeeper Jakob Busk due to a calf injury.

Vertessen could be recalled to the starting lineup after he came off the bench against Bochum to net his third goal since arriving from PSV Eindhoven in January.

Leeds United loanee Brenden Aaronson dropped out of the side last weekend, but he could be brought back into the fold after starting six consecutive games prior to the recent 4-3 defeat against die Unabsteigbaren.

FC Koln possible starting lineup:

Schwabe; Schmitz, Hubers, Chabot, Finkgrafe; Huseinbasic, Martel; Thielmann, Waldschmidt, Kainz; Alidou

Union Berlin possible starting lineup:

Ronnow; Doekhi, Vogt, Leite; Juranovic, Aaronson, Khedira, Tousart, Gosens; Hollerbach, Vertessen

We say: FC Koln 1-2 Union Berlin

Previews by email

Top News

22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City midfielder Rodri has seemingly opened the door to a future move to Spanish giants Real Madrid. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Premier League clubs are not renowned for their patience when firing managers, and we've already had our first sacking of 2024/25. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Returning to the Roma hotseat for a third spell in charge, Claudio Ranieri will lead the Giallorossi into Sunday's Serie A showdown with Napoli. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has conceded that Ben White is likely to be out for months rather than weeks after undergoing an operation on his knee. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal expert Charles Watts believes that Gunners new boy Mikel Merino has been "unfairly judged" on some of his performances so far in the 2024-25 campaign. 22 November 2024 talksport.com What would you do if you first big break in football came with your fierce rivals? 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk One of the most unlikely matchups we could have anticipated heading into the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs will transpire on Sunday as Orlando City face Atlanta United in the Eastern Conference semi-finals at Inter & Co Stadium. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Lionel Messi's former Barcelona teammate Javier Mascherano is set to be the new head coach of Inter Miami, according to reports. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both aiming to kick-start their Premier League campaigns after stalling before the international break, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace convene at Villa Park on Saturday. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sean Dyche will look to extend his 100% record over Thomas Frank as Everton manager, when Brentford visit Goodison Park in the Premier League on Saturday. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fourth meets fifth in Saturday's fascinating Premier League battle at the Emirates, as Arsenal welcome Nottingham Forest to the English capital. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Seeking a fifth win from six Premier League home games against Brighton & Hove Albion, Bournemouth host the Seagulls in Saturday's top-flight affair at the Vitality Stadium. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City supporters were hoping that November's international break would provide some of the club's senior stars with an opportunity to step up their recovery from injury. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nice, aiming to maintain their current eight-game unbeaten streak in the league, are set to host Strasbourg at the STADIUM on Sunday night for matchday 12 of the 2024-25 Ligue 1 season. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Chelsea expect to have Cole Palmer fit for this weekend's Premier League encounter against Leicester City. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Pep Guardiola reminded doubters of his commitment to the club by referencing his relegation claim of six months ago. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has confirmed defender Ben White will be sidelined for months after undergoing knee surgery. 22 November 2024 talksport.com The Premier League have announced that their partnership with IMG will end after 20 years for a new media operation. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has provided a fresh update on the fitness of his squad ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City midfielder James McAtee has reportedly been the subject of an "audacious" bid from Leeds United. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two teams enjoying some superb form will meet at Stadio Olimpico on Sunday, as Lazio and Bologna both aim to extend winning streaks in Serie A. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Erling Haaland sent out a warning shot to the Premier League as Manchester City aim to end their four match losing streak. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Enzo Maresca's King Power Stadium reunion takes place on Saturday lunchtime, as Leicester City and Chelsea prepare for battle in the Premier League's first game back after the international break. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The final standings in the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League groups have now been confirmed, and attention will now begin to switch to the knockout stage and playoff formats of the competition. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have suffered a defeat in their long-running legal battle with the Premier League, who have seen proposed changes to Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules approved by a majority of teams. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides battling against relegation from Ligue 1 are set to come together on Sunday afternoon when Nantes host Le Havre at Stade de la Beaujoire. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Leganes head coach Borja Jimenez will have to make two changes to his starting XI for Sunday's La Liga clash with Real Madrid. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Raul Asencio is in line to make his full debut for Real Madrid in Sunday's La Liga clash with Leganes. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Michail Antonio's professional career has had plenty of unexpected twists and turns. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea star Cole Palmer will be bidding to add to an incredible Premier League record when he lines up against Leicester City on Saturday afternoon.