Bayern Munich are aiming to keep pace with Bayer Leverkusen at the top of the Bundesliga table when the German top flight returns this Friday.
Following the international break, Thomas Tuchel’s side will make the trip to struggling Koln as they look to keep the pressure on Xabi Alonso’s table-toppers. Harry Kane will be confident of adding to his sensational goal tally – the England captain having netted a staggering 17 in 11 Bundesliga matches.
Of course, Bayern have fond memories of the RheinEnergieStadion, winning there on the final day of last season to pip Borussia Dortmund to the Meisterschale in dramatic circumstances. Jamal Musiala’s 89th minute strike will live long in the memory in Bavaria.
Koln’s rather shaky backline won’t be relishing the visit of Bayern’s in-form talisman Kane, the 17th-placed side sitting on just six points despite back-to-back draws. The strugglers’ flat-capped coach Steffen Baumgart will want to avoid a hiding on Friday night as pressure continues to mount on the 51-year-old.
Here is all you need to know about Koln vs Bayern Munich.
Koln vs Bayern Munich H2H record (last five games)
Current form (all competitions)
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Goalkeeper Philipp Pentke is still sidelined with a knee injury and Marvin Schwabe will start in between the sticks as a result. Defensive midfielder Jacob Christensen is also a major doubt and will likely be missing.
Striker Mark Uth is almost certainly out after sustaining a muscle strain against Bochum before the international break, although he has rarely featured this season anyways. Baumgart will be heavily reliant on Davie Selke to rise to the occasion, with the former RB Leipzig man having scored three already this term.
Koln predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Schwabe; Carstensen, Hubers, Chabot, Heintz; Martel, Ljubicic; Maina, Waldschmidt, Kainz; Selke.
Tuchel has a fairly clean bill of health for his visit to Koln, with only two major absentees for the clash after Bayern avoided any new injury concerns over the international break.
One of those missing is Matthijs de Ligt who is sidelined with a knee injury. The Dutch centre-back is expected to be out for the remainder of 2023, returning to action next year.
Jamal Musiala is also still absent for the Bavarians, sustaining a hamstring injury during Bayern’s victory over Galatasaray before the international break. The youngster isn’t expected to be out for too long and should return against Union Berlin in early December, with Thomas Muller set to replace him in the starting lineup.
Bayern Munich predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Mazraoui, Upamecano, Kim, Davies; Kimmich, Goretzka; Sane, Muller, Coman; Kane.
Bayern have hit their stride after a mediocre start to the season by their own lofty standards and that spells trouble for struggling Koln. Friday’s hosts haven’t been as bad as their results suggest and are currently massively underperforming their expected goals, but Tuchel’s side should swat them aside regardless.
Koln are conceding an average of over two goals per game at present, with Kane licking his lips ahead of his trip to the RheinEnergieStadion.
Fatigue in the legs of the Bayern players after their international excursions offers Koln a glimmer of hope, but it should be another three points for Bayern as they chase Leverkusen at the top of the Bundesliga table.
Prediction: Koln 0-2 Bayern Munich
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