The quarter-final match of the German Cup between Bayer and Cologne will take place on February 5 at the BayArena in Leverkusen. Bayer vs. Cologne: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Bayer
The reigning champions of the tournament continue their confident run in the 2024/25 German Cup. After winning two matches against lower division teams, Xabi Alonso's side defeated Bayern (1-0) away in the previous round. This victory marked Bayer's ninth consecutive win in the national Cup, with the team keeping a clean sheet in six of those encounters.
- At home, the club has scored at least three goals in 6 of their last 7 German Cup games.
- Leverkusen has opened the scoring in 8 of their last 9 matches in this tournament.
- Both teams have scored in 6 of Bayer's last 8 home matches in the national Cup.
Predicted lineup for Bayer (4-5-1)
Matej Kovar – Piero Hincapié, Edmond Tapsoba, Nordi Mukiele, Jonathan Tah – Alejandro Grimaldo, Granit Xhaka, Robert Andrich, Jeremie Frimpong, Exequiel Palacios – Florian Wirtz.
Cologne
Gerhard Struber's side reached the quarter-finals thanks to a victory over Hertha (1-1, extra time 1-0). Notably, Cologne has suffered just one defeat in regulation time in their last 12 national Cup matches (4 wins, 7 draws). The club has not achieved significant success in this tournament, having last reached the quarter-finals in the 2009/2010 season and progressed beyond this stage in 2002.
- Cologne's scoring streak in the German Cup stands at 6 matches.
- Away in the national Cup, the club has not lost in regular time in 7 of their last 8 matches (2 wins, 5 draws).
- The number "2" appeared in the final scoreline in regulation time in 4 of the team's last 5 away matches in this tournament.
Predicted lineup for Cologne (3-5-2)
Marvin Schwäbe – Dominique Heintz, Timo Hübers, Julian Pauli – Max Finkgräfe, Denis Huseinbašić, Linton Maina, Jan Thielmann, Eric Martel – Tim Lemperle, Linton Maina.
Referee
Frank Willenborg (Germany)
Matches – 5 (German Cup, 2022/23–2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 16;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.2;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 22;
Penalties – 40%.
Bayer vs. Cologne: Match Prediction
Last season, the teams met in the Bundesliga, with both matches won by Leverkusen (2-0, 3-0). There's little to suggest that Xabi Alonso's side won't defeat Cologne again. I anticipate the hosts will secure another victory in a low-scoring match.
At home, Bayer demonstrates reliable defensive play: Xabi Alonso's side has not conceded more than one goal in their last 8 official matches. In the national Cup, Leverkusen has kept a clean sheet in their last five consecutive matches.
Only one team has conceded fewer goals than Cologne in the league. Away in the Second Bundesliga, Gerhard Struber's side has kept clean sheets in 4 of their last 6 matches. However, their attacking play has been modest: Cologne has not scored more than one goal in 6 of their last 7 games in Germany's second tier. Against a stronger opponent, the club will likely focus on defense, which will not contribute to a high-scoring affair.
My prediction: Total under 3.5 goals
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