FC Cologne vs Hertha BSC Betting Tips and Previews

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Cologne

Hertha Berlin

FC Cologne will go into this game disappointed with the 1-0 away loss to Rhine derby rivals Borussia M’gladbach last Saturday. They are sitting comfortably mid table in 9th place, happy with their cushion above the relegation zone but not particularly hopeful of realistically climbing much higher in the table given the much stronger competition above them.

Hertha BSC are having a great season sitting in 3rd place in the league and already having more points in this season (36 points) than the whole of the 2014/2015 season (35 points total). This time last season Berlin stood at a 17th place in the Bundesliga (1 from bottom). They are, however, still winless (4 draws and 1 defeat) in 2016 so far.

REASON FOR BETTING TIPS

Hertha BSC have not lost a Friday night game under manager Pál Dárdai (two wins and three draws) and also won 5 of the last 6 games played away to Cologne (four in the Bundesliga and two in the 2nd Bundesliga). Cologne are now 8 games without a clean sheet in the Bundesliga and Hertha BSC’s ex-Chelsea man Salomon Kalou has scored more away goals than any other Bundesliga player (8 away goals). Combining all of the above with FC Cologne’s mediocre form and less than stellar home record Draw or Hertha Berlin seems really good value and a Hertha Berlin win of 2-1 at 12/1 seeming likely.

RECENT FORM

All competitions, most recent first:

FC Cologne: LWDDLL

Hertha BSC: DLWDDD

Head-To-Head

Hertha BSC won the reverse fixture 2-0 when they hosted FC Cologne last September. Over the last 5 fixtures between the 2 teams Hertha BSC have won 3 and drawn 2.

Statistics

Hertha BSC have the third best shots per goal ratio in the Bundesliga (7 shots on target per goal) compared to FC Cologne who have the third worst ratio (12 shots on target per goal).

Team News

FC Cologne: midfielder Marcel Riise will be returning from suspension after serving out his 1 game ban missing the Derby against Borussia M’gladbach last Saturday.

Hertha BSC: Salomon Kalou has recovered from a short injury spell and was back in action last weekend against Wolfsburg, where he scored the equalizer for Hertha BSC in a 1-1 draw.