Cologne vs Darmstadt 98 Predictions, Betting Tips, & Match Preview

One of the Bundesliga’s best defences take on the side with one of the Bundesliga’s most efficient teams in front of goal. Only three teams, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and Bayer Leverkusen, conceded fewer than FC Cologne in the 2015/2016 season, which thrust Cologne into their best league finish in over 24 years (9th placed). Defensively, Cologne have made very few changes over the transfer window so we should expect more of the same this season. After signing a few new midfielders and forwards (see team news), however, coach Peter Stöger has ambitiously claimed that he now has one of the “best and most balanced squads” since he took charge and he expects Darmstadt to be fearful upon arrival at the RheinEnergieStadion come this weekend.

Darmstadt 98’s overall performance and eventual survival in the Bundesliga last season came as a huge surprise to many who thought that, for a relatively small side, back-to-back promotions with very little investment would almost certainly see their demise. Darmstadt’s strong start to the season ultimately helped save them as worsening form towards the end of the season saw them slide weekly down the table, eventually finishing just two points above the relegation zone. While Darmstadt were one of the Bundesliga’s most efficient chance converters in front of goal, 65.5% of recorded chances resulted in a goal, and the fourth-best team on the road last season, they will have a hard time replicating that this season.

Darmstadt head into this campaign without last season’s “superstar” Sandro Wagner, who scored fourteen goals over thirty two appearances for the club and signed for TSG Hoffenheim earlier in the transfer window. Wagner was, by %, not only Darmstadt’s most involved player, when combining assists and goals scored, but one of the most vital players for any team in the Bundesliga last season. Darmstadt have, as of yet, made no signings to replace this “irreplaceable” position in their squad, and we feel they’ll struggle this season. Meanwhile, Cologne’s star striker Anthony Modeste, who scored 15 of Cologne’s 38 goals last season, retains his place in the squad and scored for them as recently as last Saturday’s 7-0 win in the first round of the DFB Pokal.

As such, we expect Cologne’s “best squad” of recent times won’t have too much trouble seeing off a much changed and weakened Darmstadt lineup this Saturday. Cologne to win at 3/4 and Cologne to win 2-0 at 13/2 are our choice bets for this Bundesliga match.