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

Kramaric, 30, is still the leading man for Hoffenheim despite scoring just one goal so far this campaign. He's made up for that shortfall with four assists, placing him second in the league standings for goals created. There was little the Sinsheimers' all-time top scorer could do last time out, however, as they were well beaten 3-1 by local rivals VfB Stuttgart, failing to build on their own win by the same scoreline the previous week against Wolfsburg. That was the game where Kramaric got his sole goal, set up by Chris Richards. The American defender has played every minute for Sebastian Hoeneß's side since re-joining the club on loan again from Bayern Munich. Jacob Bruun Larsen is their top scorer this campaign and could be restored to the starting XI after netting from the bench in Stuttgart. Christoph Baumgartner is expected to return after missing that game and Austria's fixtures over the international break with muscular problems.

Once of Hoffenheim, Modeste is looking back to his best this season with Cologne. The 33-year-old is behind only Kramaric and Robert Lewandowski for the number of shots in the division and has already netted four times across the first seven matchdays to propel this free-flowing Billy Goats side up to seventh in the table. The Cathedral City club have made their best start to a Bundesliga season since 2016/17 - the year Modeste scored 25 times - and shown the attacking intent that is synonymous with their new coach Steffen Baumgart. That was again evident last time out when they came from behind to beat Greuther Fürth 3-1 - including a brace from holding midfielder Ellyes Skhiri - meaning Cologne's only loss this season has come in Munich. But the Tunisian took a knock on international duty and has been ruled out for an unspecified period of time. Sebastian Andersson was another goalscorer in that last league game, partnering Modeste up front, and is set to do so once more in a settled side. Ondrej Duda could come in for Dejan Ljubicic, who has returned from international duty with an infection.

Match stats

Kramaric is second behind Lewandowski for shots on goal this season (28 to 30), but has only scored once.

Three goals is a personal best in a season for Hoffenheim top scorer Jacob Bruun Larsen.

Hoffenheim are unbeaten in 10 Bundesliga meetings with Cologne, winning the last six.

Modeste has scored four times from 26 efforts on goal in 2021/22.

The Frenchman netted 23 goals in 62 competitive appearances for Hoffenheim between 2013/14 and 2014/15. He scored against his former club on 12 April 2015 - Cologne's last win over Die Kraichgauer.

The Billy Goats have only picked up more points at this stage in a Bundesliga season once in the last 24 years (15 points in 2016/17).

Probable line-ups

Hoffenheim: Baumann (c) - Kaderabek, Richards, Vogt, Raum - Rudy, Grillitsch - Baumgartner, Kramaric, Bruun Larsen - Bebou

Out: Bicakcic (knee), Hübner (back), John (shoulder)

Doubtful: Nordtveit (thigh)

Coach: Sebastian Hoeneß

Cologne: T. Horn - Schmitz, Mere, Czichos, Hector (c) - Özcan - Duda, Uth, Kainz - Modeste, Andersson

Out: Skhiri (knee)

Doubtful: J. Horn (hip), Ljubicic (illness)

Coach: Steffen Baumgart