The Matchday 2 Bundesliga encounter between Cologne and Freiburg will take place on August 31 at the RheinEnergieStadion. Cologne vs. Freiburg: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Cologne
Lukas Kwasniok's side secured a 1-0 away victory over Mainz in their opening match. This win marked only their third in the last 15 Bundesliga matches (6 draws, 6 losses). Additionally, it was just the second time during this stretch that Cologne managed to keep a clean sheet. With three points, the club currently occupies the seventh spot in the standings.
- The team has not won 10 of their last 13 home Bundesliga matches (4 draws, 6 losses).
- Cologne players have scored a maximum of one goal in 5 of their last 7 home league matches.
- No more than two goals have been scored in 9 of Cologne's last 13 home Bundesliga games.
Predicted lineup for Cologne (3-4-3)
Marvin Schwäbe – Joel Schmid, Timo Hübers, Tom Kraus – Sebastian Sebulonsen, Eric Martel, Ísak Jóhannesson, Kristoffer Lund Hansen – Jakub Kamiński, Marius Bülter, Jan Thielmann.
Freiburg
Julian Schuster's team suffered a 1-3 home defeat to Augsburg in their first match. As a result, Freiburg recorded their second consecutive Bundesliga loss. However, the club extended their scoring streak in the league to ten matches. Meanwhile, they have conceded at least two goals in their last four Bundesliga outings. Freiburg currently sits in the bottom four of the standings.
- The club is unbeaten in their last seven away Bundesliga matches (5 wins, 2 draws).
- The team has scored exactly 1 or 2 goals in 6 of their last 7 away league matches.
- Freiburg has not conceded more than one goal in 6 of their last 7 away Bundesliga fixtures.
Predicted lineup for Freiburg (4-5-1)
Noah Atubolu – Christian Günter, Philipp Lienhart, Matthias Ginter, Lukas Kübler – Vincenzo Grifo, Yohan Manzambi, Yuito Suzuki, Maximilian Eggestein, Eren Dinkçi – Lucas Höler.
Defenders Max Rosenfelder and Philipp Treu, along with forward Igor Matanović, will miss the game due to injuries.
Referee
Tobias Reichel (Germany)
Matches – 13 (Bundesliga, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 56;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.3;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 26;
Penalties – 46%.
Cologne vs. Freiburg: Match Prediction
The hosts started the current championship successfully, but I believe securing a second consecutive win will be challenging. At home, Cologne have not been convincing during their last Bundesliga stint, winning only three out of their last 13 home league games, losing six, and drawing four. Additionally, in seven of these matches, the team failed to score.
Freiburg often picks up points on the road, boasting a seven-match unbeaten streak in away Bundesliga fixtures (5 wins, 2 draws). Moreover, they kept a clean sheet in four of these encounters. Notably, Freiburg has not lost in the last two head-to-head meetings at Cologne's ground in the league (1 win, 1 draw), without conceding a goal in these matches.
I expect Julian Schuster's side to compete for the best result in this match. My prediction: Freiburg with a handicap (0)
* Starting lineups are based on each team's previous match in this tournament.
