Despite recent defensive improvements though, Dortmund’s Bundesliga fixtures are still averaging almost four total goals per match.
FC Koln
Cologne’s players returned to a heroes welcome after a 1-0 Bundesliga victory on the road over fierce rivals Bayer Leverkusen last time out, a result that kept their push for European qualification on track. That win made it three unbeaten games across the last four league outings for the ‘Billy Goats’, while securing two unbeaten results across the last three H2Hs with Borussia Dortmund should provide a further confidence boost heading into this latest North Rhine-Westphalia derby. A close result here wouldn’t surprise as four of Cologne’s last five league wins or losses have all come via a one-goal margin, including three 1-0 victories. Steffen Baumgart’s side have also shown plenty of spirit when falling behind this campaign, claiming 13 points from 14 deficits for the third-best such return in the Bundesliga, so don’t write Cologne off if they start slowly.
Dortmund
Dortmund struck late on in midweek to claim a priceless 1-0 league win at Mainz and a fifth straight unbeaten Bundesliga match, closing the gap to table-toppers Bayern Munich in the process as they search for a first Bundesliga title since 2011/12. They’ve now kept four clean sheets across their last five league outings, showing that their resurgent backline has underpinned their recent uptick in form. Despite recent defensive improvements though, Dortmund’s Bundesliga fixtures are still averaging almost four total goals per match. That means plenty of action should still be expected in this H2H, especially as each of the last nine league encounters at this venue have witnessed both teams score and have averaged exactly four goals as well!
Cologne’s Anthony Modeste has notched 15 Bundesliga goals this season, nine of those coming as headers, whilst four of his last six acted as match winners. Dortmund star Erling Haaland has finally recovered from injury – he’s averaging a goal per league appearance this season, and has four strikes across three previous H2Hs. Dortmund have been awarded seven penalties this league campaign – the second-most in the Bundesliga. They scored all seven.