Total over 2.5

Hoffenheim overcame the crisis in the game with dignity and consistently scored points in the last 4 rounds. Derevensky defeated Hertha (3:1), Werder Bremen (2:1) and Schalke (2:0), and in the last round they did not lose to the leader Bayern Munich (1:1). Thanks to this, they moved up to 13th place in the table and broke away from the relegation zone by 5 points. Pellegrino Matarazzo’s team has noticeably increased their productivity in front of goal, but cannot boast of a stable defensive game. The situation is complicated by the fact that the participation of the main central defender Kevin Vogt is at stake in the next meeting.

Cologne are having a decent season despite financial problems and a transfer ban. The team lacks flashy offense (xg = 1.31), but makes up for it with strong defense. In terms of expected goals conceded (xga = 1.25), it ranks among the top three in the Bundesliga.

It is worth noting that the “goats” play solidly in front of their own goal, mainly in home matches, losing 67.4% of goals away. On average, they allow the opponent to score 2.2 goals per match.

The participation of the main defender Timo Hubers in the next meeting is questionable.

Against the backdrop of the Cologne visitors’ obvious problems in defense and Hoffenheim’s increased productivity in the last period, I think the match will prove to be a spectacular one.