Köln faces Schalke in the Bundesliga evening match on Saturday. Köln need points to stay away from the relegation zone, but with Schalke they host a team in top form that have just started to dream from the German title again.
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Despite the
1. FC Köln had both strikers, Podolski (14 goals) and Novakovic, in the team for the first time since over three month, they missed several chances and lost 0:1 in Wolfsburg last Saturday. Both striker are actually not on hundred percent after injuries and probably won't be so against Schalke as well. Köln had to play without two regular defenders in Wolfsburg. Sereno will now be back after suspension, but Jemal stays at the Africa-Cup. The FC is usually a strong home side (4-1-3), but apart of Mönchengladbach (0:3) they haven't played a top team at home yet.
Almost unnoticed the
FC Schalke have made it back to the top of the Bundesliga, lie equal on points with Bayern and Dortmund on the 3rd position and are now a serious contender for the championship. Since Huup Stevens became new coach in October the team have made clear progress, won the last four matches in Bundesliga and won their Europa League group easily. However, with Jones, Holtby, Kluge, Baumjohann and Höwedes several important players are sidelined. And even though there is wide quality in the squad, this could become a dangerous situation. Under Stevens Schalke won three of five away matches.
1. FC Köln v FC Schalke 04 Bundesliga: Round 19
Date: 28 January 2011 - 18:30 CET
Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion, Köln
Referee: Dr. Jochen Drees
Köln: Keeper: Rensing
Defenders: Brecko, Geromel, Sereno, Eichner
Midfielders: Clemens, Lanig, Riether, Peszko
Forwards: Podolski, Novakovic
Coach: Solbakken
Injured: Buchtmann, Chihi, Petit, Uth / Jemal (Africa Cup)
Booked: -
Schalke: Keeper: Unnerstall
Defenders: Uchida, Papadopoulos, Metzelder, Fuchs
Midfielders: Matip, Höger - Obasi, Raul, Draxler
Forwards: Huntelaar
Coach: Stevens
Injured: Baumjohann, Fährmann, Holtby, Höwedes, Kenia, Kluge
Booked: Jones
Schalke won five of the last six meetings with Köln, just the last match in Köln was won 2:1 by the FC last May.
Rain at 2 °C is expected in Köln on Saturday evening.
Last meeting: 13 August 2011, Schalke - Köln 5:1
Wins Köln: 38
Wins Schalke: 30
Draws: 19
Recent performance (W - Win, D - Draw, L - Lose)
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Köln - D/W/D/L/L
Schalke - W/W/W/L/W
The 1. FC Köln should never be underestimated at home, but the strikers Podolski and Novakovic do not seem fully fit yet and there are also some problems in defense. After four victories in Bundesliga Schalke are full of confidence and arrive as favourites.
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