Cologne vs Ingolstadt Predictions, Betting Tips, & Match Preview

Only three teams (Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen) conceded fewer than Cologne in the 2015/2016 Bundesliga season, thrusting them into their best league finish (9th) in over 24 years. Cologne have made very few changes defensively over the transfer window, holding onto one of the Bundesliga’s best defences, which has evidently paid off. Cologne have conceded the second fewest goals so far this season (3 goals), conceding their third of the season in their 1-1 draw away to Bayern Munich last time out. With the signing of a few new midfielders and forwards (see team news) during the transfer window, coach Peter Stöger has ambitiously claimed that he now has one of the “best and most balanced squads” since he took charge – a confident attitude which sees Cologne as one of only four teams without a defeat in their opening six matches.

Ingolstadt’s start to the 2016/2017 Bundesliga campaign under new coach Markus Kauczinski, who joined them from 2. Bundesliga side Karlsruher, is much bleaker. Though Kauczinksi has vowed that he will not be changing much about the side moving forwards, with their main objective being survival, the consequence of transfer window sales has seen Ingolstadt’s performances drift far from those of the side praised last season for their defensive prowess. Ingolstadt are in bad shape with three key members of the back four leaving over the summer (Benjamin Hübner, Danny da Costa, and Ramazan Özcan) and the Bavarians haven’t taken a point since their opening 1-1 draw away to Hamburg in August.

Cologne are the bookies’ favourites for this match and we feel that they are a solid bet at 3/4. Comparing recent form alone it is easy to see that Ingolstadt are struggling – Cologne are unbeaten in 11 Bundesliga matches (W5 D6) and Ingolstadt are without a win in the same number (D2 L10). Cologne are not only defending well, but they’re scoring goals too. Striker Anthony Modeste (pictured above) is the first Cologne striker to score five goals after six matches – joint top in the Bundesliga – since their 1988/89 season. He’d be our take for an anytime goalscorer bet in this match at 11/8. Meanwhile, Ingolstadt have conceded at least two goals in each of their last five matches and the only real positive they can take away from these matches is their ability to score “consolation” goals. Ingolstadt have scored at least one goal in four of their last five away matches, including in their 3-1 defeat away to Bayern Munich.

As such, Cologne to win at 3/4 and Cologne to win 2-1 at 15/2 with bet365 are our choice bets for this match.