KOE Köln 1. FC Köln - PRM Münster SC Preußen Münster

Cologne deservedly beat Preußen Münster 3-1, although the victory could have been much more comfortable. With this win, the Billy Goats climb past Hamburg to the top of the table, while Münster benefit from the result in Ulm. But they will need to collect the necessary points for survival elsewhere.

Preußen Münster have five minutes to score two goals.

Is there still something in it for Preußen Münster? As Cologne have missed several opportunities to add a fourth goal in the second half, the visitors have at least still been in the match.

For the first time this year, Cologne have scored more than two goals in a league outing. Preußen, on the other hand, have conceded more than two goals for the first time since October.

Both teams start the second half unchanged.

Cologne are deservedly ahead against spirited Preußen, who made it difficult for them, especially in the opening minutes. Münster were somewhat fortunate to equalise after Cologne's early lead, but the hosts struck back via a penalty and sit provisionally at the top of the table after 45 minutes.

Four minutes of additional time. Half of it is already gone, however.

Münster are getting into the match and are currently keeping the ball within their own ranks. Cologne are also taking it a bit easier at the moment and are no longer looking for the direct route into the attacking third.

Münster made a brave showing, especially in the first few minutes, but Cologne now have everything under control and look significantly closer to scoring a second goal than Münster do to equalising.

The ball is rolling in Cologne!

For Preußen, wingers Lorenz and Pick are rested, while Koulis and Friðjónsson also drop to the bench. Alongside Kinsombi and Batmaz, Makridis and Mrwoca comprise the four new additions to the starting line-up.

There are two returnees in the Cologne defence in Hübers and Heintz. They start in place of Pauli and Schmied, who both drop to the bench. Up front, top scorer Downs starts for the first time since early March, replacing Rondić (benched). Ljubicic is the fourth change, coming in for Huseinbašić, who must also take his place on bench.

Schenk - Scherder, Mrowca, Kirkeskov - Schad, Hendrix, Kinsombi, Makridis - Bazzoli, Mees - Batmaz

Schwäbe - Hübers, Martel, Heintz - Thielmann, Kainz, Ljubicic, Paqarada - Waldschmidt - Downs, Lemperle

"The last matchday has shown how balanced the Bundesliga 2 is and that every opponent must be taken absolutely seriously. You cannot take any opponent lightly. We have it in our own hands if we maintain our focus."

"Köln are the absolute favourites, but we still want to get three points. The situation is difficult, that's clear. For us, these next five matches are like a tournament. We need to collect points to advance to the next round. We can only succeed as a team; everyone must stand up for each other. We are stable, we are resilient – that gives us courage for the relegation battle."

Before the Bundesliga, both teams regularly faced each other in the Oberliga. Münster's last goal against Köln was scored by Walter Bensmann in a 2-1 defeat in Köln in February 1963. The last victory was a 1-0 home win in November 1961 (goal by Manfred Pohlschmidt) and the last away win was a 2-0 win in September 1958 under manager Kuno Klötzer.

FC won their last home match against Münster on 19th October 1963 with a 3-0 victory (Wolfgang Overath was among the scorers). In Münster, FC won 2-0 that season, meaning they have won all three professional football encounters without conceding a goal.

The last time these two teams faced each other was in 1963/64 as founding members of the Bundesliga. Köln became the first Bundesliga champions back then, while Münster were relegated as the second-bottom club and have never returned to the Bundesliga.

The first game was the first competitive match between the two clubs in 61 years, with a goal from Tim Lemperle enough for FC to secure one of their many 1-0 victories.

Welcome along and thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of this Matchday 30 fixture between 1. FC Köln and SC Preußen Münster.