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B04 Leverkusen Bayer 04 Leverkusen - KOE Köln 1. FC Köln

Sat, 13.12.202517:30 PM

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Kasper Hjulmand on facing Cologne

"We know what we're up against with Cologne. They may be a promoted team but they're very attacking and want to have a lot of possession. We respect them, but obviously we want to play our game and win. It's a derby and also very important for the table. A win would help us to travel to Leipzig next week and start the new year in a good position."

Predicted line-up: Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Predicted line-up: 1. FC Köln

Lukas Kwasniok on facing Leverkusen

"Leverkusen play extremely good football; we need a perfect game to beat them. The basic attributes have to be right, and then we have to play a polished and courageous style of football to have a chance."

Early Cologne team news

Dominique Heintz, Timo Hübers, Luca Kilian and Joël Schmied are all unavailable for this one. Otherwise, Lukas Kwasniok has a full squad to choose from.

Early Leverkusen team news

Patrik Schick was forced off injured against Newcastle in the Champions League in midweek, throwing his participation here in doubt. Lucas Vázquez is back in team training, as is Ezequiel Fernández, but no decision has been made as to whether they can be included here - the likelihood is they still need time to make a full recovery. In terms of definite absentees, Ezequiel Palacios' groin problem means he will not feature.

Leverkusen held by Newcastle

Die Werkself took the lead through an own goal in their UEFA Champions League game against Newcastle, but found themselves behind late on after conceding twice before Grimaldo equalised at the death to earn the hosts a point.

Magnificent El Mala

Nineteen-year-old Said El Mala has more goal contributions (eight - six goals and two assists) than any other under-21 player in the Bundesliga this season.

Grimaldo's great numbers

Alejandro Grimaldo has the most assists (four), shots on goal (21), shot on goal assists (26), challenges contested (221) and intensive runs (741) of all Leverkusen players this season.

Red mist on the Rhine

There have been 21 sending-offs in the 72 Bundesliga meetings between Leverkusen and Cologne. Only Hamburg vs. VfB Stuttgart has seen more red cards (22).

2:03

Watch: Cologne 0-2 Leverkusen - previous meeting

A Rhine derby win in Cologne helped Leverkusen on their way to a maiden Bundesliga title in 2023/24, while the Billy Goats' season ended in relegation. The two clubs renewed rivalries in the DFB Cup quarter-finals last term, with Bayer shading a 3-2 thriller to reach the last four.

2:03

Watch: Augsburg 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen - highlights

Leverkusen lost a second successive Bundesliga game as they fell to defeat against lowly Augsburg. Kasper Hjulmand's side remain in fourth place, albeit ahead of Hoffenheim on goal difference and five behind third-placed Borussia Dortmund.

2:03

Watch: Cologne 1-1 St. Pauli - highlights

Cologne had to make do with a point as they were pegged back in stoppage time by relegation-threatened St. Pauli on Matchday 13. Although winless in four, the Billy Goats sit eighth in the standings, five points clear of the bottom three.

Hello and welcome!

Welcome along and thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of this Matchday 14 fixture between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and 1. FC Köln.

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