FC Cologne vs Borussia Mönchengladbach – News and Probable Lineups

FC Koln, promoted to the top flight, is eager to avoid the relegation zone as they host Borussia Monchengladbach at RheinEnergieStadion on Saturday.

The Billy Goats are aiming to secure their first victory in seven matches this weekend, while Die Fohlen hope to build on their recent success.

Match overview

Koln ascended to the Bundesliga after clinching the 2.Bundesliga title in the 2024-25 season, and although they started the 2025-26 campaign strongly, Lukas Kwasniok’s squad now finds itself looking nervously at the teams below them.

Last Saturday, the Billy Goats fought back to earn a 1-1 draw against fellow promoted team Hamburgo SV, with Said El Mala finding the net just before halftime to prevent a third consecutive defeat after losing 2-1 to Borussia Dortmund and a 2-0 defeat to Augsburg previously.

However, that draw extended Kwasniok’s winless streak to six matches – a span that includes four losses and two draws – signifying that Koln have not claimed a victory since edging past Wolfsburg 1-0 on January 30.

This troubling period has seen the second-division champions sitting 14th in the Bundesliga, with a total of 25 points, just one point above 16th-place St Pauli and four points clear of Die Wolfe in 17th.

Aware that any outcome other than a win this weekend might result in slipping into the relegation playoff position, the home supporters will be uneasy about Koln’s performance at home, having won only twice on their ground since early November while also suffering two losses in their last three home fixtures.

On the other hand, Eugen Polanski’s Gladbach endured a challenging seven-match winless stretch between mid-January and late February, but they appear to have turned a corner, winning two of their last three matches.

Recently, Die Fohlen bounced back from a 4-1 defeat against Klassiker rivals Bayern Munich by securing a 2-0 win over relegation-threatened St Pauli, a result that offers a glimmer of hope ahead of a clash against similarly positioned opponents this weekend.

With the victory against Kiezkicker, Polanski’s team now sits 12th in the standings, but they remain precariously positioned, being only four points above the drop zone with eight matches remaining.

The visitors will be eager to cement their place in the top division by claiming another victory on Saturday, though it remains uncertain if they can overcome their troubling record away from home, which includes three straight losses leading to this encounter and just one win since beating Mainz 05 1-0 on December 5.

To exacerbate the situation, Gladbach has conceded nine goals in their last three away fixtures, although optimistic followers would note that those matches were against formidable opponents – Bayern, Freiburg, and Eintracht Frankfurt.

Team News

Koln is particularly short-staffed in defense, lacking injured center-backs Timo Hubers (knee), Luca Kilian (knee), and Joel Schmied (muscular), while fellow center-back Jahmai Simpson-Pusey remains suspended following his red card against Borussia Dortmund on March 7.

Given these circumstances, expect to see Rav van den Berg and Cenk Ozkacar form the center of Kwasniok’s defense, with Tom Krauss and Kristoffer Lund on the flanks, while alternative full-back options Alessio Castro-Montes and Sebastian Sebulonsen are unavailable due to injury and suspension, respectively.

In other news, midfielder Florian Kainz is a doubt as he recovers from an ankle issue, and 18-year-old striker Fynn Schenten might miss out due to illness, while Isak Bergmann Johannesson and Eric Martel are expected to start in midfield, supporting Ragnar Ache in attack.

As for Gladbach, they may also be without several defenders, including center-backs Marvin Friedrich and Kota Takai, both doubtful due to muscle injuries.

In their absence, Philipp Sander, Nico Elvedi, and Kevin Diks will likely form the visitors’ backline, protecting goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas, whose fitness is vital with backup keeper Jan Olschowsky sidelined until early next month.

In attacking positions, Polanski may once again rely on Haris Tabakovic, considering injuries to strikers Tim Kleindienst (knee) and Jan Urbich (muscle strain), and he is expected to have the support of Hugo Bolin and Franck Honorat, while wingers Robin Hack (groin) and Nathan N’goumou (Achilles) inch closer to fitness.

FC Koln probable starting XI:

Swabian; Krauss, Van den Berg, Ozkacar, Lund; Johannesson, Martel; Maina, Kaminski, El Mala; Oh

Borussia Monchengladbach probable starting XI:

Nicolas; Sander, Elvedi, Dix; Scally, Reitz, Engelhardt, Castrop; Honorat, Bolin; Tabakovic

Koln has faced challenges recently, and with the looming threat of relegation, the pressure is rising on the home team.

Nevertheless, despite Gladbach securing two victories in their last three matches overall, their poor away record could present an opportunity for their opponents this Saturday.