BUNDESLIGA: Dortmund vs FC Koln live
Preview
Borussia Dortmund kick start their Bundesliga campaign this season against FC Koln in what is expected to be a fully packed Signal Iduna Park. The match is scheduled to kick off at 4:30 pm(GMT) with Deniz Aytekin in charge as center referee. After a disappointing Bundesliga campaign last season when they lost the league title to Bayern Munich on goal difference, BVB will be hoping to put that behind against a very promising Koln side. Finishing in the bottom half of the table last season, Steffen Baumgart’s should be hopeful of a good result today when they visit Dortmund.
BVB have impressed in pre-season with their attacking performances despite losing key players like Jude Bellingham and Raphael Guerreiro. In eight games over the summer break, Dortmund won seven and drew one with wins over Manchester United and Ajax. In their last match against TSV Schott Mainz in the DFB Pokal, the Bundesliga side won comfortably in a 6-1 win over the Regionalliga Sudwest side. Expected to fight for the league title this season, Edin Terzic’s men have what it takes to win today against 1. FC Koln.
“Die GeiBbocke” finished in a respective 11th position last season despite struggling for the most part of the campaign. After their transfer ban was lifted in May, Koln have barely improved their squad despite losing top scorer Ellyes Skhiri and skipper Jonas Hector. With an unconvincing performance against VfL Osnabruck in the DFB Pokal, Koln will have to put on a good show today at the Signal Iduna if they are to salvage something from the game.
Head-to-head
Borussia Dortmund and 1. FC Koln have produced great performances over the last few season when the two sides meet head-to-head. However, their last meeting was in this fixture last season when Dortmund won 6-1 thanks to a brace each from Marco Reus and Sebastian Haller, with a goal each from Raphael Guerreiro and Donyell Malen. Davie Selke scored the consolation for FC Koln.
Prediction
Koln have struggled to impress over the last few months since the latter stages of last season. Coupled with the fact that barely any new signings have been made, the away side are expected to struggle today against BVB. Edin Terzic’s side however should be full of confidence coming into today’s match considering their superior head-to-head performances against Koln and their current form. A win for BVB is the most possible outcome.
