TSG Hoffenheim vs Cologne Predictions

• Both teams have scored in five of Cologne’s last six matches and also five of Hoffenheim’s last six.
• Cologne have conceded eight goals in their last three games.
• Hoffenheim have lost their last four Bundesliga home matches

Cologne need to shore up at the back

It is early days in the Bundesliga with just five games completed and while Hoffenheim and Cologne will not be greatly concerned to have taken seven points from those outings, both teams have plenty to work on ahead of their Friday night clash.

For Cologne, there are issues at the back as they have slipped from claiming a maximum return from their opening two games against Mainz and Freiburg to winning a solitary point from their next three outings, in which they have conceded eight goals.

Building upon their seventh spot will be impossible if that situation is not rectified but they play a team anxious to put on a show in front of their own fans.

Home comfort lacking for Hoffenheim

Hoffenheim have lost their last four games on their home patch and did not get close in their last two home outings when they lost 3-1 to Eintracht Frankfurt and 4-1 to champions Bayern Munich, for whom Harry Kane scored a hat-trick.

Consequently, there have to be doubts as to whether either side have it in them to get over the line, but one thing that should be expected is a few goals, so take a chance on their being more than three, which has happened in three of Cologne’s six outings and four of Hoffenheim’s six.

Both teams have plenty to prove but may not win, so there could be correct-score value in backing a 2-2 draw.