Bundesliga: Die Werkself to Rip the Billy Goats’ Horns

Koln vs Bayer Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen are eager to get back on the winning track as they visit Koln for the ninth matchday of the 2021/22 Bundesliga season.

Die Werkself were put in their place last week by the defending German top-flight champions, so Gerardo Seoane’s men are planning to vent their ire against their hosts this Saturday.

After last week’s setback, Bayer Leverkusen slipped to the third spot with 16 points. On the other hand, Koln are in seventh place with 12 points.

Koln aren’t exactly at their best form lately making them vulnerable against their visitors, and they are also fresh from a heavy defeat in the last time out.

Furthermore, this match pits together two managers who are relatively new with their respective teams and we expect them to go all out in trying to give SBOTOP football fans a lasting impression.

It has been so far so good for Gerardo Seoane and Steffen Baumgart, and it’ll be interesting to see on whether who’ll get to avenge their losses last weekend.

Talking Points

Koln plan to challenge for an European place

Koln have been punching above their weight this season since the arrival of Steffen Baumgart last May.

Last season, the Billy Goats were scraping to maintain their top-flight status. But this time, they are in a much better situation.

Under Baumgart, Koln are doing well by starting the season in decent form. And if they can keep this up, they might challenge for an European place.

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La Liga

After gaining points in their previous five fixtures, Koln were demoralised by Hoffenheim with a score of 5-0. They simply had no answer for the hosts as they failed to register a single shot in target.

Koln missed the midfield duo of Ellyes Skhiri and Dejan Ljubicic because of fitness problems at the time and Steffen Baumgart is hopeful that they can rejoin the lineup this weekend.

Regardless if they are ready to play or not, Koln are going to rely on their top hitman in Anthony Modeste. The Frenchman leads the team with four goals and he needs just two more to reach the 50-goal milestone for the Billy Goats.

Bayer Leverkusen must shrug off previous setback

Like Koln, Bayer Leverkusen were humiliated in the last time out by conceding five goals against Bayern Munich. Die Werkself came into the said game on a high as they had a chance to grab the top spot, but both their attack and defence failed them.

Patrik Schick scored the only goal for Die Werkself at the time and we expect him to hunt for more upon their visit to Cologne.

Patrik Schick and his teammates are expected to give more effort in their next Bundesliga match — Bayer Leverkusen’s Patrik Schick in action during their recent Bundesliga match against Bayern Munich

The Czech striker will be joined once more by Moussa Diaby, Amine Adli, and Lucas Alario, while Robert Andrich and Exequiel Palacios will contend to start.

Florian Wirtz is rapidly emerging as one of the hottest young commodities in football and he should reclaim his starting spot after being rested against Real Betis yesterday in their Europa League group stage match.

Koln are aware and will certainly keep an eye on the 18-year-old playmaker since he graduated from their youth ranks.

History

Bayer Leverkusen have been the better team in this particular head-to-head matchup and Koln’s home winning streak is in grave danger here.

Prior to Sunday, Koln are undefeated in their last five Bundesliga home fixtures (W4, D1) while averaging 2.25 goals per contest under Gerardo Seoane, which is the most since Rinus Michels was in charge in 1980 (3.5).

But playing at the RheinEnergieStadion doesn’t seem to faze Die Werkself at all as they’ve won 14 league road games, lost thrice, and drawn four times since the turn of the millenium.

Die Werkself have picked up three wins in their last three meetings while scoring at least three goals in each contest. Bayer Leverkusen achieved a double over Koln last term with an aggregate tally of 7-0.

Betting Tip

	Koln vs Bayer Leverkusen	Bayer Leverkusen Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.49
	October 24, 22:30 (GMT+8)

Bayer Leverkusen are the favoured side in the Bundesliga 2021 odds but their margin for error is smaller than expected.

They are priced at 2.14 to win, whereas Koln are not far behind at 2.94 and chances for a draw are at 3.80 in the 1X2 market.

With both clubs searching for a victory, these two teams will go at it while supplying us a handful of goals and Bundesliga 2021 highlights.

In the end, it would be hard to write off Bayer Leverkusen since they have a stronger roster on paper and they should be able to respond from last week’s defeat by picking up their fourth win in their last five.