Borussia Dortmund VS FC Koln Match Prediction

In 17 matches, Dortmund have a firm hold on this fixture. They have ten wins, and they have only allowed Cologne to grab seven results.  Cologne have three wins and four draws.  Here's the last five meetings between the two sides:

Dec 10, 2016: Cologne 1-1 Dortmund
May 14, 2016: Dortmund 2-2 Cologne
Dec 19, 2015: Cologne 2-1 Dortmund
Mar 14, 2015: Dortmund 0-0 Cologne
Oct 18, 2014: Cologne 2-1 Dortmund

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Borussia Dortmund vs Cologne Prediction

Dortmund have gone unbeaten at home, and that doesn't look like letting up.

Correct Score Prediction: Borussia Dortmund 2-1 Cologne

Borussia Dortmund vs Cologne Betting Tips and Odds

Bet365 have the following odds available for this match:

Borussia Dortmund are at 2/9 to win, a draw is at 5/1, and a Cologne win is at 11/1.

Cologne's double chance odds are at 10/3 to win or a draw.

Both teams to score has been set at 10/11 for both yes and no.

A 1-0 win for Dortmund at full time could bring 18/1 odds if correct.

Reason: The bookmakers are firmly in Dortmund's camp here due to the fact that they are at home and that they are higher in the table than their visitors. They also have a good head to head record and Cologne aren't in very good form at the moment, either.

Team News

Thomas Tuchel will definitely be without center back Marc Bartra (wrist) and attacking midfielder Mario Gotze (illness).  Center midfielders Nuri Sahin and Sebastien Rode and winger Andre Schurrle also look set to miss out due to injuries.

Key Man

It's not a player, but instead it's the manager here. Thomas Tuchel has a real chance to help spur Dortmund to the levels of Bayern once again by finishing the season with all victories from here on out.  Victory here and in the other three league matches and the DFB Pokal could see them confident enough to challenge Bayern next season in Bundesliga play.  He has to get his tactics and his rotation just right here, and that's not always been the case this season.  So look for which players he plays here.  He must pick players that aren't emotionally OR physically drained in order to have a chance of securing third place and stamping their authority at the end of the season.

Team Form

Borussia Dortmund have three wins and two losses in their last five matches in all competitions.  They lost 2-3 at home to AS Monaco in the Champions League before winning at home in Bundesliga play over Frankfurt 3-1.  They lost the second leg in Monaco 3-1 to see them dumped from the Champions League, and then recorded a 2-3 win over Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday.  On Wednesday, they faced Bayern Munich away from home in the DFB Pokal, and they won 2-3 in a thrilling comeback.

Expected Line-up: 4-4-1-1

Team News

Peter Stoger will be unable to use right midfielder Marcel Risse and forwards Sehrou Guirassy and Simon Zoller for this match due to injuries.

Key Man

French striker Anthony Modeste takes most of the plaudits, as he has scored over half of the side's goals this season.  But winger Yuya Osako, a Japanese international plays a big role in this side's success.  The 26 year old is pacey, very technical, and quite crafty in his movement.  That has allowed him to record six goals from the wing this season and assisting seven further times.  These are very good numbers for a winger on a mid-table side, and he's someone that can cause problems for Dortmund should he be allowed to counter against them.  He should have some chances to do that as well, since they are the away side.  

Team Form

Cologne have one draw, three losses, and a win in their last five matches in all competitions.  They lost 2-1 away to Hamburg to start March, but won 1-0 over Frankfurt just three days later.  A 2-3 home loss to Monchengladbach followed, and then another loss to Augsburg (2-1) set the back even further.  On Friday, they drew at home 1-1 with Hoffenheim.

Expected Line-up: 4-3-3

Borussia Dortmund\'s home record looks to just be way too much for Cologne. Cologne did hold Hoffenheim to a point last weekend, which helps Dortmund\'s cause, but that was a home match. Cologne are a good side and have stayed out of trouble all season, but they shouldn\'t be a match for Dortmund. One thing to remember is that Dortmund might have to rotate some due to the match they had with Bayern in midweek, so that could play a role here. Either way, they have enough quality and strength to see off Cologne. Or at least they should.

Borussia Dortmund have struggled a lot this season, but very little of that struggling has come away from home. In 14 home league matches, they have 11 wins and three draws. With that sort of record, it will be hard for any side to come and win right now.