Darmstadt vs FC Cologne Betting Preview & Prediction

When is Darmstadt vs FC Cologne on and what time does it start? Darmstadt vs FC Cologne will take place on Friday 1 December, 2023 – 19:30 (UK)

Where can I get tickets for Darmstadt vs FC Cologne? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information

What channel is Darmstadt vs FC Cologne on in the UK? Sky Sports have the rights to German Bundesliga matches in the UK so it is worth checking their schedule for Darmstadt vs FC Cologne

Where can I stream Darmstadt vs FC Cologne in the UK? If televised on Sky Sports, Darmstadt vs FC Cologne can be streamed live on the Sky Go app

THE LOWDOWN

DARMSTADT

A hard-earned point for Darmstadt away to Freiburg saw the hosts keep themselves outside the bottom three and record back-to-back points in the Bundesliga. However, their winless run in the league now stretches to five games and needs to be eradicated sooner rather than later if they are not to drop into those dreaded relegation places.

Striker Mathias Honsak gave Darmstadt the lead early on in Freiburg, although they couldn’t keep their lead for the rest of the half, the hosts coming back to equalise in the 35 minutes. But after digging in across the second period as the pressure on them built, Darmstadt were good value for their point.

FC COLOGNE

Defeat at home against Bayern Munich, their eighth league loss of the campaign ensured that FC Cologne remained rock bottom of the Bundesliga for another week with just one win from 12 matches to their name. They can however, take credit for a resilient defensive effort and to only concede once against the free-scoring champions warrants progress.

Scoring goals remains a huge problem for the 18-placed side with FC Cologne the only club in the Bundesliga to have recorded a single-figure number of goals across the season so far, scoring just nine times. Such profligacy in front of goal will continue to cost the visitors in terms of results if it cannot be rectified.

THE TEAM NEWS

DARMSTADT

Torsten Lieberknecht will be without both attacker Braydon Manu and centre-back Christoph Zimmermann, each of whom are suffering with ankle injuries. The loss of Zimmermann in particular frustrates when taking into account the injury problems which have dogged his career for the past few seasons. Striker Fraser Hornby is doubtful.

PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Schuhen; Klarer, Muller, Maglica; Bader, Mehlem, Holland, Nurnberger; Skarke, Seydel, Honsak

UNAVAILABLE: Manu (Injured), Zimmermann (Injured)

QUESTIONABLE: Hornby (Injured)

FC COLOGNE

The only injury worry for Steffen Baumgart to contend with as it stands is that of Sargis Adamyan’s hip, which renders the Armenian forward doubtful for the trip to Darmstadt. Both Luca Waldschmidt and Mark Uth will be itching for a place in the starting line-up after being on the bench against Bayern Munich as Baumgart continues to search for the right attacking formula.

PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Schwabe; Carstensen, Hubers, Chabot, Heintz; Martel, Kainz; Waldschmidt, Thielmann, Maina; Selke

UNAVAILABLE:

QUESTIONABLE: Adamyan (Injured)

THE PREDICTION

When taking into account the recent struggles of these two teams, particularly from an offensive perspective, it would be no surprise if we were in for a turgid contest at ‘Merck-Stadion am Bollenfalltor’. A lack of cutting edge going forward, combined with neither side wanting to implement a high level of risk to their game in fear of defeat may well lead to goals being in short supply over 90 minutes. Therefore, for the third straight Bundesliga fixture featuring Darmstadt and the fourth involving FC Cologne, back under 2.5 goals to be scored.