Hertha Berlin vs. Cologne: probable teams, match stats and LIVE blog!

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Like their visitors, Hertha aren't in the finest of form at present. They have lost their last three league assignments and four of their last five, including a last-gasp loss against Stuttgart on Tuesday. That untimely wobble has seen them plummet down the standings and Sandro Schwarz's side are currently in 16th - just two points better off than bottom club Schalke. Their hopes of stemming the tide aren't aided by the absence of striker Stevan Jovetic through injury, although Dodi Lukebakio has found the net in each of Hertha's last two games. Schwarz has plenty of other creative players at his disposal, including the likes of Marco Richter, Jean-Paul Boetius and Chidera Ejuke, but it is at the other end of the pitch where his greatest concern lies. The capital club have kept just one clean sheet this season and have already conceded 22 goals.

For Cologne, their UEFA Europa Conference League exertions appear to have taken a toll in the last couple of weeks. Wednesday's derby defeat by Leverkusen was a third in the last four Bundesliga outings for Steffen Baumgart's men. They have only scored twice in that period, conceding ten. The lengthy injury list, which includes influential midfielder Dejan Ljubicic and attacker Mark Uth, hasn't helped. Hector's return to action against Leverkusen after a two-game absence with injury provided a welcome boost to morale. The captain's experience will be needed here if they are to avoid be dragged into the relegation mix.

Watch: Cologne's Matchday 14 derby against Leverkusen

Match stats

Jovetic made his Bundesliga debut against Cologne in August 2021, scoring in a 3-1 defeat for the Old Lady.

Only Christopher Nkunku (seven) and Marcus Thuram (six) have scored more goals than Lukebakio's five in the seven games since the start of October.

Hertha have won just one of their seven home games so far this season, drawing four and losing two.

Don't be fooled by his boy-next-door appearance: Jonas Hector is sixth overall in this season's chart for tackles won (165).

Cologne have scored more goals from crosses from open play this season (six) than any other Bundesliga team.

The Billy Goats have also scored more own goals (three) in 2022/23 than any other team, with Benno Schmitz responsible for two of them.

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Probable teams

Hertha: Christensen - Kenny, Rogel, Kempf, Plattenhardt (c) - Tousart, Sunjic, Serdar - Lukebakio, Kanga, Ejuke

Out: Dardai (shin), Jarstein (not considered), Jovetic (hip), Lee (ill), Ngankam (thigh), Nsona (cruciate ligament)

Doubtful: Gechter (fitness)

Coach: Sandro Schwarz

Cologne: Schwäbe - Schindler, Kilian, Soldo, Hector (c) - Skhiri, Martel - Maina, Duda, Kainz - Tigges

Out: Andersson (knee), Dietz (knee), Lemperle (ankle), Limnios (knee), Ljubicic (knee), Uth (fitness)

Doubtful: Hübers (dead leg)

Coach: Steffen Baumgart

About the clubs Hertha Berlin

Olympiastadion

1. FC Köln

RheinEnergieSTADION

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