The German Bundesliga looks set to provide another enticing spectacle, as we begin the Round 32 match-ups this Friday (May 6th). The FC Köln will welcome the SV Werder Bremen to the Rhein-Energie-Stadion, with the kick off set to commence at ( 20:30 CEST/19:30 GMT). In the previous tussle between these two sides, both teams took away a point (1:1), when SV Werder Bremen entertained the travelling team at the Weserstadion. The away side can go joint level with the hosts, if they achieve victory this Friday. On the other hand, the SV Werder Bremen are closing in on the Europa league qualification, and desperately need all three points. One thing’s for sure, with so much at stake, the match this Sunday has become a thrilling, mouth watering prospect.
FC KOLN vs SV WERDER BREMEN
3-Way: 1: FC Koln +150; X: +272 Draw; SV Werder Bremen +200
Spread -0.5: FC Köln +145 ; SV Werder Bremen -152
Total +2.5 : Over -143; Under +134
FC KOLN
The FC KOLN is currently ranked 8th in the German Bundesliga league table, and the club is level pegging with Borussia Monchengladbach, with a total of 42 points this season. This is already an improvement on last year’s endeavors, where the side finished in 12th place, managing a total of 40 points overall. The FC Koln is just four points away from the Europa Qualification, and the side could narrow the gap to just one point, if they are able to overcome the league rivals SV Werder Bremen this Friday.
The side has been struggling to develop any real momentum going into the latter stages of this season, and is without a win in their last four competitive matches of the German Bundesliga. Worse still, the team has been unable to carve out victories, and as a result, has only claimed three points in two of their last ten encounters in the German Bundesliga, the latest of which came at home against Eintracht Frankfurt, back at the beginning of April (1:0). The FC Koln has been unable to find the net recently, which has resulted in two draws on the bounce, and the side seems to be stuck in Limbo, as we near the closing chapters of this exhilarating season.
On the plus side, the FC Koln has only lost twice on home soil in the league, and has also won seven of their fifteen contests as the hosts this season.
The French forward Anthony Modeste is enjoying a prolific season for his side so far, as the striker has found the net on 24 occasions in all competitions, and has two hat tricks, and three braces to his name. The formidable forwards last goal came against the high flying side TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, in an uneventful affair that ended in a well earned draw for both sides. The Japanese star Yuya Osako is some way behind the immense tally of his co-worker, with a sum of six goals for the season.
The German midfielder Matthias Lehmann is currently serving out a suspension, and will miss Friday’s home match against SV Werder Bremen, whilst German defender Mergim Mavraj is undergoing rehabilitation for a niggling Thigh injury, and will not feature in Friday’s match. The FC Koln will have to do without Yuya Osako, the scoring sensation has been struck by a virus, and is unlikely to return in time for team selection. The Russian born defensive midfielder, Konstantin Rausch is suffering from a muscle related injury alongside his teammate Sehrou Guirassy, and the two are unlikely to appear in Friday’s captivating contest.
SV WERDER BREMEN
SV Werder Bremen finished the last year ranked at 13th in the German Bundesliga table, and this year the side has gone from strength to strength, already having beaten the last season’s point tally by eight, and positioned seven places higher, than at this time towards the end of last season. The club has discovered a winning formula, that has seen the German side win their last three competitive matches, and rack up an impressive unbeaten streak of eleven consecutive matches.
Furthermore, this unstoppable side has won eight of their last ten league matches, and has claimed victory in all of their last five matches played on home soil. It is safe to say, that this club has hit a purple patch of late, and they will be looking to continue their momentous streak, if the side wishes to prize Europa league qualification away from the Hertha BSC Berlin. If the club can triumph over their league rivals this Friday, they will recapture the 5th spot, and with it, Europa league qualification.
The German forward Max cruise has scored the bulk of the SV Werder Bremen’s goals this season, with a grand total of fourteen. The striker last found the net in their recent competitive match against the Hertha BSC Berlin, that victory could turn out to be one of the defining moments of the clubs season, and the SV Werder Bremen appears to be growing in belief and confidence, as each match passes by. The German International and midfield maestro, Serge Gnabry has netted ten goals this season, and is enjoying another fruitful campaign.
The defensive duo of German Clemens Fritz, and Italian Luca Caldirola are out for the rest of the season, due to an Ankle injury and a Broken foot, respectively. The Austrian midfielder Florian Grillitsch is doubtful for Friday’s crucial match, the player has sustained a back injury, and it is uncertain as to when the player will return to match fitness. The clubs most recent casualty, is Argentinian defender Sergio Garcia, the player is currently sidelined due to a neck injury, but is expected to be fit in time for this Friday’s away skirmish against the FC Koln.
FC KOLN vs. SV WERDER BREMEN PREDICTION
This match looks set to be a close contest, as both teams jostle for the European qualification. The SV Werder Bremen will wish to close the gap on the league rivals Hertha BSC, but may end up eclipsing them, if they can take away all three points on their trip to the Rhein-Energie-Arena this Friday. However, the home side will go level on points with Friday’s opponents, if they emerge victorious. This one is close to call, as both teams could earn the win. However, I am taking the over and both teams to score.
MY PICK: Over 2.5 goals (-143)
Additional Pick: Both teams to score YES (-159)
