Cologne vs Borussia Mönchengladbach: Prediction, Betting Tips and Match Preview

The start of the season for Cologne can reasonably be described as meeting expectations. However, the defeat at the hands of Hamburg (1:2) just before the international break managed to sour the mood. Now, the "Billy Goats" face another underdog – Borussia Mönchengladbach remains the only club yet to register a single point in the current championship.

Cologne's Open, Entertaining Style

Cologne kicked off the campaign with real energy, dispatching Hoffenheim in the opening round (3:2). Yet, the team has failed to build on that momentum and has not tasted victory since. Heading into the pause, René Wagner's charges fell to Hamburg (1:2), a side that had previously neither scored nor collected a point. Notably, the club lost to the bottom-dwellers even in key statistical categories – 5:7 in shots on target and an expected goals tally of 1.41 against 1.45. During the international break, the "Billy Goats" played a friendly against Viktoria Cologne and again failed to secure a win, drawing 2:2.

It is worth highlighting that the team plays an open brand of football. Cologne have conceded at least one goal in each of their last 18 Bundesliga matches – a run approaching the club's negative record of 21. In the current campaign, opponents have managed to score fewer than two goals against them on just one occasion. On the flip side, the "Billy Goats" are productive up front, having found the back of the net in 14 consecutive league fixtures.

Regarding the squad situation, René Wagner is without Dallinga, who suffered a severe injury in the friendly against Viktoria Cologne – a cruciate ligament tear has been diagnosed. This is a significant blow to the attacking core, as the striker has two goals in three Bundesliga appearances. Furthermore, Ache will also be unavailable after picking up an injury in the same friendly (one goal in four league matches). Cologne are thus left without two forwards. Additionally, the participation of starting center-back Simpson-Pusey is in doubt, as he trained individually the day before.

Gladbach's Defensive Frailties

Borussia Mönchengladbach have lost their opening four Bundesliga matches for only the second time in their history. The previous occurrence was in the 2015/16 season, when they also lost a fifth, notably against none other than Cologne. In the current championship, the team looks genuinely weak: they have already suffered two heavy defeats, although in the clash with Mainz (3:4) before the break, "Die Fohlen" were largely unlucky. A missed penalty by Dicks, in an otherwise balanced contest (7:8 in shots on target and 3.24 against 2.82 in xG), proved decisive. During the international pause, the club played two friendlies – a 3:0 win over Siegen and a 1:1 draw with St. Pauli. It is also worth noting that Gladbach will play their first official match under new head coach Alexander Blessin.

At the start of the Bundesliga season, the team's defending has been alarmingly poor. Borussia Mönchengladbach have conceded 16 goals in just four rounds – a feat not seen in 59 seasons. Seven of those goals came in the final 15 minutes of matches. Moreover, the club have allowed the highest number of clear-cut chances in the league – 16. Their expected goals against (11.9) is also the highest in the division.

On the personnel front, Borussia are far from full strength. Kastrop, Kühn, and Leopold are all sidelined with various injuries. Honorat is close to returning but will not travel to Cologne. There are also question marks over Kleindienst, who cut one of the last training sessions short as a precautionary measure.

Predicted Lineups for Cologne vs Borussia Mönchengladbach

Cologne (4-2-3-1): Schwäbe – Sebulonsen, Van den Berg, Lochoshvili, Mensa – Schiri, Krauss – Maina, Murr, El-Mala – Bülter

Unavailable: Ache, Dallinga, Hübers (all injured), Castro-Montes, Simpson-Pusey (both doubtful)

Head Coach: René Wagner

Borussia Mönchengladbach (3-4-3): Nicolas – Scally, Dicks, Leszczynski – Konoplya, Sander, Stöger, Ullrich – Hack, Liedberg, Bolin

Unavailable: Kastrop, Honorat, Kühn, Leopold (all injured), Itakura, Kleindienst (both doubtful)

Head Coach: Alexander Blessin

The Referee

Florian Badstübner has been appointed to officiate. The referee is notably lenient towards players and rarely resorts to sanctions: in his last 20 Bundesliga matches, Badstübner has averaged just 2.4 yellow cards per game and recorded 22.1 fouls. Over that same stretch, he has sent off players only twice and awarded penalties on two occasions.

Prediction and Bet

Main Prediction: Borussia Mönchengladbach to avoid defeat at odds of 1.74

The match against Cologne presents a prime opportunity for Borussia to secure their first points of the season. The opponent hardly looks invincible, having managed just one victory at the start of the campaign. Furthermore, before the break, the "Billy Goats" lost to another crisis-stricken underdog – a 1:2 defeat against Hamburg. Head-to-head history also favors the visitors from Mönchengladbach, with one win and two draws in their last three Bundesliga meetings. We expect Borussia Mönchengladbach to avoid defeat, available at 1.74.

Total Goals Prediction: Over 3.5 at odds of 2.20

High scoring is a reasonable expectation for this encounter. Cologne play an open game and score regularly – they have a 14-match scoring streak in the league. At the same time, the "Billy Goats" have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 18 matches. Moreover, in five of the club's previous seven Bundesliga games, at least four goals were scored. Borussia have managed six goals in the current championship but have leaked a staggering 16 in just four rounds. It should also be noted that Gladbach have found the net nine times against Cologne in their last three league meetings. We back over 3.5 goals at 2.20.