Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen are eight points off the Bundesliga top four with 12 points left to play for.
Bayer Leverkusen are unbeaten in nine straight Bundesliga matches and are aiming for a 10th straight game without defeat against Koln on Friday night.
Koln will aim to end Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten streak. The Billy Goats are 11th in the standings, with 35 points from 30 matches this season. Koln are seven points above the relegation zone ahead of the trip to Leverkusen.
With 12 points left to play for, at least one more win would seal their fate for next season. Koln are coming off a 1-0 loss against Freiburg, which ended a four-match unbeaten run.
Bayer Leverkusen went unbeaten in five of their last six matches in all competitions against Koln.
In the teams’ reverse fixture, Bayer Leverkusen claimed a 2-1 win thanks to goals from Nadiem Amiri and Moussa Diaby.
Despite Bayer winning the reverse fixture, they had to come from a goal down in the second half to claim the win.
Koln took a 30th-minute lead through Benno Schmitz. Leverkusen scored twice in the second half to overcome the deficit.
Bayer Leverkusen are atop the Bundesliga form table. The team took 14 points from the last 18 points on offer.
Based on the work Alonso has down at Bayer, this team could challenge for the Bundesliga title next season.
However, some investment will be needed for the team to fight Bayern for the championship. Bayer Leverkusen are in the semifinals of the Europa League, and they could finally win a major trophy this season.
Bayer conceded just two times in their last six Bundesliga matches, They kept clean sheets in each of their last three fixtures.
Koln took eight points from the last six fixtures in the league. They were outscored 10-8 across the last six matches by opponents.
Koln are on a two-match away winning streak, and they could trouble the in-form Leverkusen. Bayer are on a four-match home winning streak, however.
Bayer will need a goalscorer for next season, as winger Diaby leads the team with nine Bundesliga goals. Alonso will be without striker Patrik Schick.
Exequiel Palacios is a doubt to make the squad. Goalkeeper Andrey Lunev is a doubt with a back injury and midfielder Charles Aranguiz may miss the game following a calf issue.
Koln’s Eric Martel is suspended and will play no part on Friday. Forwards Seb Andersson and Mark Uth are both unlikely to feature due to a knee and groin injuries, respectively. Midfielder Florian Dietz is out with an ACL injury.
Bayer Leverkusen’s great form should continue with a 3-1 win over Koln at home. The Company XI could keep their hopes of making the top four alive with a victory over the Billy Goats at home.
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