Greuther Fürth vs. Cologne: probable line-ups, match stats and LIVE blog

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Fürth start the weekend still nine points adrift of Augsburg in the promotion/relegation playoff place, but they've given themselves a chance of what would be a miraculous survival with an upturn in form in the New Year. The Bavarians have taken eight points from a possible 18 in 2022 and even took the lead against league leaders Bayern Munich but eventually succumbed to a 4-1 defeat last time out. Captain Branimir Hrgota had put Fürth in front against the champions and is likely to form a front-three with Jamie Leweling and Havard Nielsen after Jeremy Dudziak picked up a hip injury at the Allianz Arena. That is likely to be the only change to the side.

Cologne have been superb since mid-December and have won five of their last eight league games. That has not only kept them in the European race, but ensured that the Billy Goats remain in the hunt for a top-four spot that would bring UEFA Champions League football to the RheinEnergieSTADION for the first time. Modeste has been central to their sustained push at the top of the table, with the French striker scoring 15 times so far this term. The Frenchman came off the bench to hit the winner as Cologne beat Eintracht Frankfurt 1-0 last weekend and should replace Sebastian Andersson in the starting XI. Timo Horn returned in goal and kept a clean sheet against Die Adler, leaving Steffen Baumgart with a decision to make over him and fit-again Marvin Schwäbe.

Match stats

Hrgota has been responsible for eight out of Fürth's 21 goals this season (38 percente).

Fürth are unbeaten in their last five home games, including back-to-back wins for the first time in their Bundesliga history.

The Bavarians have beaten Cologne only once at home in eight previous meetings, however.

Jonas Hector is set to make his 300th appearance in a Cologne shirt.

Modeste has accounted for 43 per cent of Cologne's goals this season (15 of 35). Only Robert Lewandowski (28), Patrik Schick (20) and Elring Haaland (16) have scored more across the entire division.

Cologne's 35 points this season is already two more than they gained in the whole of the 2020/21 campaign, and their best ever haul after 23 games of a Bundesliga season.

Probable line-ups

Fürth: Linde - Meyerhöfer, Griesbeck, Viergever, Itter - Seguin, Christiansen, Tillman - Nielsen - Leweling, Hrgota (c)

Out: Funk (knee), Kehr (knee), Ngankam (knee)

Doubtful: Dudziak (hip), Jung (knee)

Coach: Stefan Leitl

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

Out: -

Doubtful: J. Horn (ill)

Coach: Steffen Baumgart