Thanks to Waldschmidt, Cologne prevail in Ulm. Even though Effzeh were mostly harmless in the second half, Ulm ran out of steam towards the end, allowing Cologne's individual class to shine through. As a result, the 'Billy Goats' remain in the promotion race, although they clearly have room for improvement.

We are all square at the break. Cologne, in particular, have a lot of room for improvement, having struggled to put their opponents under any real pressure. Ulm were better, particularly in the early stages, but could not sustain it throughout.

Cologne must do without their two top scorers Damion Downs (nine) and Tim Lemperle (eight), as well as the league's best assist provider, Linton Maina (10), today.

There are five changes in Köln's starting XI, which is the most they have made between fixtures this season. However, this is not to be seen as a reaction to the defeat in Karlsruhe, as Martel, Downs and Maina - all three regular starters - are missing. Dominique Heintz is on the bench for the first time since October, while Dejan Ljubicic is a substitute for the first time this season.

Just in time to cover Tom Gaal's suspension, Niklas Kolbe is fit again and returns to the starting lineup. In addition, there are two more changes for the Sparrows from the 1-1 draw in Braunschweig. Top scorer Semir Telalovic, who was only a substitute last week, starts this time out and so does Lennart Stoll. With Lucas Röser remaining in the team, Thomas Wörle could field two genuine strikers for the first time in the Rückrunde.

Schwäbe - Hübers, Schmied, Gazibegović - Thielmann, Olesen, Huseinbašić, Finkgräfe - Waldschmidt, Kainz - Tigges

Ortag - Stoll, Reichert, Kolbe - Allgeier, Hyryläinen, Brandt, Rösch - Röser, Batista Meier - Telalovic

Cologne will have to continue without offensive player Linton Maina due to an ankle injury. This was revealed by an MRI examination.

"We know that Cologne are one of the teams coming here as a clear promotion candidate. You can sense a certain quality in them. Otherwise, it's a football match, and even though we are obviously the underdogs, every match means everything to us and we show that week after week, so we will go all-in."

"Ulm know how to defend well. They give away very little space, are strong in tackles and pose a goal threat from set-pieces. But we clearly have the ambition to win."

The only player in the current Ulm squad who has already won against Cologne in Bundesliga 2 is Lucas Röser. In the 2018/19 season, he lost 1-8 with Dynamo Dresden in Cologne, but celebrated a 3-0 victory at home.

In August 1997, Ralf Rangnick was the manager in Ulm when the Sparrows, as a Regionalliga side (then third tier), sensationally knocked out Bundesliga club Cologne in the DFB Cup. Dragan Trkulja was the hero, scoring a brace in a 3-1 win.

In 1998/99, both teams played together in Bundesliga 2, with Ulm sensationally gaining promotion while Effzeh finished only 10th. Both encounters between the two ended in draws.

In the meeting between the teams earlier this season, Max Brandt received the earliest red card of the Bundesliga 2 season (sent off in the 21st minute). Cologne ultimately won 2-0 with the numerical advantage, and it was their first victory in four competitive matches against the Sparrows.

Welcome along and thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of this Matchday 25 fixture between Ulm and Cologne.