Sep, 27 2025
Injury updates shaping the teams
Both clubs head into the round‑6 meeting with notable absences. Hoffenheim will be without Adam Hlozek, who broke his ankle and won’t be back until at least December. Young full‑back Koki Machida is on the sidelines with a cruciate ligament tear, making his return uncertain for early October. Defender Valentin Gendrey also faces a broken ankle, sidelining him until late November.
FC Köln’s injury list isn’t any shorter. Central defender Luca Kilian and left‑back Rav van den Berg are both out, forcing coach Mark van Bommel to reshuffle his back line. These gaps open up room for fringe players and could influence tactical choices once the whistle blows.
Hoffenheim vs FC Köln predicted lineups and tactical outlook
Hoffenheim are expected to line up with Oliver Baumann wearing the captain’s armband between the posts. The defense will likely feature the experienced Vladimír Coufal on the right, while Robin Hranáč and Albian Hajdari partner in central defence. In midfield, Bernardo should pull the strings, with Bazoumana Touré providing width and an attacking spark on the flank.
Köln, missing Kilian and van den Berg, will probably rely on a makeshift back four anchored by seasoned centre‑backs. Upfront, they may field a more direct striker to exploit Hoffenheim’s shaky home record, which has produced just one win in the last ten matches at the PreZero Arena.
Historically, Hoffenheim hold a clear edge: 11 wins, 5 defeats, and 8 draws against Köln. Yet the recent numbers tell a different story. The hosts have managed to score in every home game this season, but they’ve also conceded heavily, reflected in a 10% win rate at home. Köln, on the other hand, have won half of their last ten away fixtures, suggesting they could turn the tables.
Both sides love set‑piece action. Their games have featured a high number of corners, and statistical models predict over 8.5 corners in this clash. Expect tight marking, a few free‑kick opportunities, and plenty of chances for the visiting side to test Baumann’s reflexes.