FC Koln vs RB Leipzig
RheineEnergie Stadion, Koln
Monday, 01-06-2020 @9:30pm
RB Leipzig have seen their top four status taken away at least temporarily.
The side that once led the standings at some point has dropped to 5th as of Monday and will be hoping to return to the champions league spots with victory over Koln.
They drew 2-2 at home to Union Berlin on Wednesday, their fourth draw in five games.
Only a single victory in that period is not enough for a side that has sights set on Europe and they must know that the match-day 29 fixture at Koln is a must win for them as all the sides above them registered wins in their respective games.
However, Koln will also be no push overs.
They still have a chance at Europe as they currently sit 8 points behind Wolfsburg who occupy the last Europa League spot.
Since the league resumed, they are searching for their first victory having drawn twice and lost the other of their opening three games.
Koln’s most recent fixture saw them lose 3-1 away to Hoffenheim.
The reverse fixture had ended in a 4-1 win for the Red Bulls. Just once have the Billy Goats won against this opponent so far. Not once have the Goats kept a clean sheet against this rival. At this venue, the guests have a 100% unbeaten record over the years. The last time these two locked horns at this ground, the visitors won 1-2.
Leipzig, who have eight goals in their last three matches, lost captain Yussuf Poulsen to an ankle injury last week so Patrick Schick was used against Hertha. Schick scored a fortunate goal and will likely retain his place alongside Werner, but changes will be required elsewhere. Marcel Halstenberg is suspended for this game, while Ibrahima Konate remains injured, meaning that Julian Nagelsmann may consider tweaking to a back four.
As for Koln, they will be without Sebastiaan Bornauw after the defender was dismissed in the 3-1 loss to Hoffenheim last time out. Jorge Mere is the favourite to come into the backline, where he will be joined by one of Noah Katterbach or Benno Schmitz at left-back. Further up the field, Jhon Cordoba looks certain to lead the Billy Goats’ line following a good run of form in front of goal.
All Bundesliga match-day 29 results so far
Friday, 29-05-2020
-Freiburg 0-1 Leverkusen
Saturday, 30-05-2020
-Hertha Berlin 2-0 Augsburg
-Mainz 0-1 Hoffenheim
-Schalke 0-1 Bremen
-Wolfsburg 1-2 Frankfurt
-Bayern 5-0 Dusseldorf
Sunday, 31-05-2020
-Monchengladbach 4-1 Union Berlin
-Paderborn 0-6 Dortmund