1. FC Koln (home)
- Borussia Dortmund sit second in the Bundesliga with 52 points from 24 matches, compared to Koln’s 24 in 13th place, but the points mean little in what could be a classic Rhine Derby on Saturday.
- The hosts have won four, drawn three and lost five of their 12 Bundesliga home games so far this season, scoring 21 goals, but they have a very poor record against the visitors.
- Ole Werner took over as coach in July 2025 and has brought an energetic, vertical playing style to the Billy Goats with a high tempo and pressing game that can be exciting to watch.
Borussia Dortmund (away)
- Niko Kovac has done a good job since taking over in February 2025, bringing tactical flexibility to the club that has seen them move between three at the back and four at the back without much change to personnel.
- His side are much more structured in their build-up play and better disciplined in their pressing triggers, but when they are able to exploit the space on transition, they can be lethal.
- Julian Ryerson has been a revelation down Dortmund’s right-hand side and his five assists in his last five Bundesliga appearances are a statistic that should interest the wagering markets.
Head-to-Head
- Dortmund have won the last three Bundesliga meetings between the sides, including a 1-0 victory four months ago.
- Borussia Dortmund are unbeaten in their last two Bundesliga away games, winning one and drawing one, while 1. FC Koln have won one, drawn one and lost one of their last three at home.
Key Players
Serhou Guirassy is still Dortmund’s marksman, having scored 11 Bundesliga goals in 23 matches , and with five of the team’s last 12, he should get many chances in this clash.
Betting Insights
Koln are a risky proposition for a home win here as they are not consistent enough to suggest they can beat Dortmund, but both teams to score and over 2.5 goals , both available at 1.53 and 1.57 respectively, are solid bets given the attacking nature of both clubs and their respective vulnerabilities at the other end.
Prediction
With Dortmund averaging 1.92 goals per game scored and 1.17 goals per game conceded away from home in the Bundesliga, there’s firepower and solidity for the visitors to take all three points at 1.71 .
