The top players and teams in modern football are required to play a ridiculous amount of games besides those that they play in their domestic leagues. You have domestic cup games and European tournaments to consider, too, so a team that does will in all of those competitions is going to play a lot more football than their counterparts. This increases the risk of injuries, which is why you see the coaches of these teams develop a squad rotation in order to help keep their best players healthy and fresh. Let’s take a closer look at one of the upcoming matches so you can plan ahead and make your bets against their Bundesliga odds.
Bundesliga Cologne Vs Leverkusen Game Info
The better teams in Europe got a little bit of a helping hand with the pandemic, as it meant an extra couple of months off before coming back to play. Still, it’s tough to jump right back in and be successful, but some are doing it. Bayer Leverkusen are on the brink of a Champions League spot for next season, whilst also booking their ticket to the DFB Pokal final against Bayern Munich. They will be back in action on Wednesday afternoon with a home game against Cologne, who are currently sitting mid-table. Leverkusen are favored by 1 ½, with the goal total for this one set at 3 ¼.
Why bet on Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen took out Saarbrucken in the German Cup semi-final last week, but they cannot make the mistake of looking ahead to the final in Berlin on July 4, as doing so might well mean losing out on the Champions League spot that they are clinging on to at the moment. Leverkusen are in the 4th and final of those spots, but they are also just 1 point ahead of Borussia Monchengladbach in 5th. Leverkusen are still in control of their own destiny, but that could change with dropped points on Wednesday. They have been solid enough at home this season, going 7-4-4 while scoring 28 and surrendering 21. The downside is that they have now lost back to back 2-0 games to Cologne.
Most Likely line-up
- Leverkusen: Hradecky – Tah, S. Bender, Tapsoba – Amiri, Aranguiz, Demirbay, Sinkgraven – Havertz (c), Volland, Diaby
- Out: Alario (suspended), Bellarabi (thigh)
- Doubtful: L. Bender (foot), Palacios (illness)
- Coach: Peter Bosz
Why bet on FC Cologne
For all intents and purposes, Cologne have nothing to play for at this stage of the season, as they are currently right in the middle of the table with no chance of relegation or a European spot. They are coming off a very disappointing 2-1 home loss to Union Berlin over the weekend, which may well be a sign that they are simply phoning it in at this point. As we mentioned earlier, Cologne have won their last 2 meetings with Bayer Leverkusen, but it is worth noting that both of those games were at home. The last time they went to Leverkusen, they lost 2-1. Cologne have not been great on the road this season, posting a 4-2-9 record, while managing just 21 goals versus 33 allowed.
Most Likely line-up
- Cologne: Horn – Ehizibue, Bornauw, Czichos, Katterbach – Skhiri, Hector (c) – Drexler, Uth, Kainz – Cordoba
- Out: Hauptmann (groin), Risse (knee)
- Doubtful: Jakobs (muscular), Terodde (knee), Thielmann (muscular)
- Coach: Markus Gisdol
Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction
You cannot ignore the fact that Cologne has won each of the last 2 games versus Bayer Leverkusen, but based on performances since returning from the lockdown, you have to think that the home team has the edge in this one.
Pick: Bayer Leverkusen 2 Cologne 1
General Match Info FC Cologne Vs Bayern Leverkusen
- When: Wednesday, June 17 at 2:30 PM EST
- Where: Bay Arena, Leverkusen
- Cologne Vs Leverkusen Live: FS1
- Money Lines: FC Cologne +428 / Bayern Leverkusen -188 / Draw +343
