CHOLONIA – BAYER LEVERKUSEN | Wednesday 6.30pm
The sudden rise of Bayer Leverkusen has not gone unnoticed. Last Sunday, they literally tore former leaders Union Berlin to shreds as they were overwhelmed 5-0 at the BayArena and overtaken by Bayern Munich. It was a victory that had been missing for six matches – between Bundesliga and Champions League – for the Aspirins, who had fallen sensationally to the bottom of the table in the German top league. Xabi Alonso, coach of the Rossoneri, who a few weeks ago took over from the exonerated Gerardo Seoane, can finally smile. Against the capitolini, authentic revelation of this tournament, his team offered what is undoubtedly the best performance of the season, especially on the offensive level: in addition to the double of a wild Moussa Diaby, former Sparta Prague Adam Hlozek also scored, who substituted worthily for compatriot Schick.
Leverkusen, who now have twelve points, are fourteenth but still too close to the red zone: saving a season that has started as badly as it could be won’t be easy, but the classification is still short and a lot will depend on the continuity that Bayer will be able to give to the resounding success against Union. In the midweek round the Rossoneri will face a Cologne side that is not doing so well. Steffen Baumgart’s side are out of Europe, finishing third in the Conference League group, and they have not won in the Bundesliga since mid-October, suffering two defeats and a draw in their last three matches.
The Prediction
The goleada against Union Berlin may have unblocked Bayer Leverkusen. They should at least be able to avoid defeat against a struggling Cologne side, who have only lost once in six matches in front of their home crowd. It is very likely that both will score at least one goal each. Finally, it cannot be ruled out that the first half will be more prolific than the second.
Cologne v Bayer Leverkusen likely line-ups
- COLONIA (4-2-3-1): Schwäbe; Schmitz, Kilian, Soldo, Pedersen; Skhiri, Martel; Maina, Duda, Kainz; Tigges.
- BAYER LEVERKUSEN (3-4-3): Hradecky; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Andrich, Palacios, Bakker; Diaby, Hlozek, Amiri.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-2
