DFB-Pokal champions Bayer Leverkusen will be looking to avoid an upset in the quarter-final of the competition when they host FC Koln at BayArena on Wednesday.
Xabi Alonso's hosts took advantage of 10-man Bayern Munich in the round of 16 on December 3, advancing as 1-0 winners thanks to Nathan Tella's 69th-minute goal, whereas 2. Bundesliga side FC Koln triumphed 2-1 in the previous round against Hertha Berlin on December 4.
Match preview
© Imago
Die Schwarzroten benefitted hugely from Manuel Neuer's 17th-minute red card for Bayern, though they created surprisingly few opportunities against the Bavarians, with their tally of three big chances just one fewer than Bayern managed.
Alonso's side emerged as 3-1 victors against Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga on Sunday, and the result means they are in second place with 45 points after 20 matchweeks, but they trail Bayern Munich by six points with 14 games remaining.
Leverkusen's record of 49 goals scored and 27 conceded in the top flight makes them the division's second-best offensive and joint fourth-best defensive side, though they have already conceded on three more occasions this league season than they did last term.
It should be noted that the home team have kept five clean sheets in their last five DFB-Pokal matches, winning by a cumulative score of 10-0.
Die Schwarzroten have won their past two games - drawing one and losing one - but they also triumphed in each of their prior 11.
Leverkusen's record at home is exceptional given they have won their nine most recent outings at BayArena, and have in fact only failed to win three of their 15 home fixtures in 2024-25, drawing two and losing one.
© Imago
As for FC Koln, they would have been taken to penalties in the last round of the DFB-Pokal had Dejan Ljubicic not scored a winner in the 121st minute against Hertha Berlin, who had been reduced to 10 men in the 25th minute.
The Billy Goats are currently first in the 2. Bundesliga with 37 points but are just two points ahead of third-placed Magdeburg, who occupy the promotion playoff spot.
Head coach Gerhard Struber's side have won seven and drawn four of their 22 games against Leverkusen, with the hosts prevailing in their two most recent clashes.
FC Koln defeated Bundesliga club Holstein Kiel 3-0 in the DFB-Pokal in late October, and they have triumphed in six of their past seven fixtures in all competitions.
The visitors' form away from home is strong considering they have achieved victory in five of their last six outings on the road, though they have been taken to extra time in five of their seven most recent away matches in the DFB-Pokal, winning four in that time.
Team News
© Imago
Leverkusen forward Tella is not expected to be sidelined for long, but his hip injury will likely mean Wednesday's game comes too soon, so perhaps Jonas Hofmann and Amine Adli will flank striker Patrik Schick.
Attacker Martin Terrier is set to miss the rest of the season, as is centre-back Jeanuel Belocian, and the defender's absence may lead Alonso to start Mario Hermoso, Nordi Mukiele and Piero Hincapie in a back three.
Robert Andrich could come into midfield for Granit Xhaka, who may need to be rotated to preserve his fitness given he is 32, and he may be partnered by Exequiel Palacios.
Meanwhile, FC Koln will have to contend with several injury absentees, including midfielders Jacob Steen Christensen and Mathias Olesen, so it would not be surprising if Dejan Ljubicic and Eric Martel featured in a double pivot.
Timo Hubers, Joel Schmied and Dominique Heintz may start in a back three given Luca Kilian has been ruled out.
Damion Downs and Steffan Tigges are candidates to play together in a front two considering they partnered each other against Eintracht Braunschweig on February 1, as well as the fact that Mark Uth and Tim Lemperle will not be in the squad.
Bayer Leverkusen possible starting lineup:
Hradecky; Hermoso, Mukiele, Hincapie; Frimpong, Andrich, Palacios, Grimaldo; Hofmann, Adli; Schick
FC Koln possible starting lineup:
Schwabe; Hubers, Schmied, Heintz; Gazibegovic, Ljubicic, Martel, Paqarada; Kainz; Downs, Tigges
We say: Bayer Leverkusen 4-0 FC Koln
Leverkusen have been outstanding at home for some time, and it is difficult to see them losing against their second-tier opponents.
Additionally, FC Koln have often relied on taking ties in the DFB-Pokal to extra time, but against one of the Bundesliga's best, they may fall short.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
