1. FC Köln (home)
- Köln are 4th in the Bundesliga after four games, with seven points, nine goals scored and seven conceded.
- Lukas Kwasniok was appointed manager of the 1. FC Koln in June 2025, bringing with him a reputation for fast-paced, direct football with an emphasis on high-energy pressing and ball-winning in transition. Our 1. FC Koln vs VfB Stuttgart preview suggests his tactical philosophy could play a key role in the upcoming contest.
- His side have played with a lot of width and dynamism in the early weeks of the campaign, with a three-at-the-back system used regularly alongside a more traditional 4-4-2.
- A 4-1 victory over Freiburg and 3-3 draw away at Wolfsburg have shown that this team can play an open, attacking brand of soccer, which is an important factor in the 1. FC Koln vs VfB Stuttgart prediction.
VfB Stuttgart (away)
- Stuttgart are 8th, with six points, five goals and five conceded from four Bundesliga matches.
- Hoeneß’s men are a tough team to pin down - they defeated St. Pauli 2-0 before losing 3-1 at Freiburg.
- They are a high-press team with central overloads, rapid ball progression and a strong ability to win the ball back in dangerous areas, which is integral to this 1. FC Koln vs VfB Stuttgart prediction.
- Hoeneß’s 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 system has kept Stuttgart on the front foot, with Jeff Chabot providing experience and leadership at the centre of the defense.
Head-to-Head
Stuttgart have won 12 and lost seven of their 30 head-to-head clashes with Köln across all competitions, including a 2-0 away win and a 3-0 home victory over the Billy Goats in April.
Köln
- Captain and goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe will need to be on form to keep Stuttgart’s high-pressing players at bay if the team are to match the expectations in our 1. FC Koln vs VfB Stuttgart prediction.
- New signing Marius Bülter, who has been scoring goals and stretching games with his physicality, is one to watch.
Stuttgart
- Hoeneß’s 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 system has kept Stuttgart on the front foot, with Jeff Chabot providing experience and leadership at the centre of the defense.
- Chris Führich and Bilal El Khannouss are creative forces in midfield.
- Ermedin Demirović, meanwhile, is their main finisher, scoring in that game.
Betting Insights
- With injuries and European fixtures stretching both of these squads, 1. FC Koln will be without Rav van den Berg, while Silas and Deniz Undav have been absent for Stuttgart for the most part.
- These absences could be crucial for defensive stability, but BTTS is highlighted as the preferred market for this match. Our 1. FC Koln vs VfB Stuttgart betting tips suggest a high-scoring affair could be likely based on attacking strengths and defensive absences.
- Kwasniok’s team have been flying in front of goal so far this term, scoring nine goals but they have conceded seven in four Bundesliga matches.
- Stuttgart’s pressing game has allowed them to dominate matches at times, but defensive errors have cost them points and goals this season.
Prediction
- Köln can win the match with a single goal, while the draw also seems likely considering the odds on the game.
- However, Stuttgart are the stronger side and will have extra motivation as DFB-Pokal winners, so they can get the win with some clinical finishing if they can force Köln into errors. In conclusion, the final 1. FC Koln vs VfB Stuttgart prediction leans slightly toward the away side, but it remains a close contest on paper.
