Koln to post opening day win against Schalke
1.FC Köln vs Schalke 04 - 07/08/2022
2255
Koln finished seventh in the Bundesliga last season having had an excellent campaign. The Billy Goats now go into the new season with hopes of a top-six battle.
First up for Koln is newly-promoted Schalke. The Blues return to the Bundesliga after just one season away.
Schalke will hope this season is better than the last time they were in the Bundesliga. After flirting with relegation for a few years, Schalke paid the price in 2020-21.
The Blues do not have a strong record against Koln ahead of this matchup. Koln posted a record of 3W-2D-1L in the last six games with Schalke in all competitions. The last five games between these clubs in all competitions ended without a defeat for Koln.
Koln coach Steffen Baumgart has several new faces in the squad. Kristian Pedersen arrived for free from Birmingham City. Eric Martel joined from RB Leipzig. Meanwhile, Steffen Tigges came from Dortmund and Sargis Adamyan came from Hoffenheim.
The Billy Goats sold midfielder Salih Ozcan in the offseason to Dortmund. However, the team was able to hang onto last season’s leading scorer Anthony Modeste. He bagged 20 Bundesliga goals.
Schalke coach Frank Kramer will hope for a fast start from his team. A host of players have come and gone to bolster the team.
After years of financial mismanagement, Schalke have not splurged on transfer signings this offseason. Schalke’s 34-year-old striker Simon Terrode will get his chance to play Bundesliga football this term.
Terrode has been a star at the Bundesliga 2 level for the last few years. Last season, Terrode bagged 30 goals to lead Schalke to promotion. He should get the start against Koln on opening day with the aim of bagging a goal or two.
Going back to the last time Schalke were in the Bundesliga, they lost the previous seven matches in the top flight away from home. Kramer’s side should find it difficult to go to Koln and win on opening day.
In 2021-22, Koln posted a record of 9W-4D-4L at home. The Billy Goats bagged 27 goals and conceded 21 at home.
Koln should post an opening day win against newly-promoted Schalke. The Blues should find life difficult back in the top flight. Modeste is a great betting option to score any time after he bagged 20 goals in the Bundesliga last term.
Expect over 2.5 goals as 58% of Bundesliga games last term finished with more than 2.5 goals. Koln should pick up a 2-1 victory.
Home team
Away team
Pred
Correct score
Avg. goals
Weather conditions
Coef.
Score
Live
coef.
De1
462529
1
2 - 1
2.96
25°
1.70
1.70
4.00
4.00
no
no
no
3 - 1(0 - 0)
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