Cologne vs Borussia Mgladbach Lineups, Prediction, Betting Picks & Odds

Cologne vs Borussia Mgladbach Game Preview

The Rhine derby lands at RheinEnergieSTADION on Sunday, and the Cologne vs Borussia Mgladbach betting odds have the hosts as favorites against a visiting side in real trouble.

Cologne opened their Bundesliga campaign with a win over Hoffenheim, but things have cooled off since. A late defeat at Hamburg still stings, and home soil is where they need to respond.

Gladbach arrive dead last in the Bundesliga standings without a point to their name. They have already shipped 16 league goals, and Alexander Blessin now takes charge after Eugen Polanski's sacking.

This matchup rarely stays quiet. Cologne have seen over 2.5 goals in 10 of their last 11 games against Gladbach in all competitions.

Cologne vs Borussia Mgladbach Recent Results

Cologne have taken only a point since that opening-day win over Hoffenheim. Ragnar Ache's late goal at Hamburg wasn't enough to salvage anything, and he is now on the injury list. The defense remains the worry, with Cologne conceding at least two goals in 7 of their last 8 Bundesliga games.

Gladbach have lost their last 4 Bundesliga games. The latest was the ugliest of the lot, a 4-0 home thumping by Mainz. The one bright note is up front, where Tim Kleindienst returns from suspension to give this slumping attack a genuine focal point again.

Cologne vs Borussia Mgladbach Lineups & Team News

Injuries & Suspensions

Cologne: Timo Hübers (Injured/out), Thijs Dallinga (Injured/out), Ragnar Ache (Injured/out), Alessio Castro-Montes (Doubtful)

Borussia Mgladbach: Nicolas Kühn (Injured/out), Elias Leopold (Injured/out), J. Castrop (Unfit/out), Franck Honorat (Unfit/out)

Cologne

The Cologne vs Borussia Mgladbach lineups start with a gutting blow for the hosts. Summer signing Thijs Dallinga is out for the season with an ACL injury, Ragnar Ache and Timo Hübers are also sidelined, and Alessio Castro-Montes is doubtful. Marius Bülter and Sebastian Sebulonsen are expected to start.

Borussia Mgladbach

Alexander Blessin has taken charge after Eugen Polanski was sacked, and he gets Tim Kleindienst back from suspension right away. Nicolas Kühn and Elias Leopold are injured, while J. Castrop and Franck Honorat are unfit.

Cologne vs Borussia Mgladbach Predicted Lineup

Cologne

Formation: 4-2-3-1 (probable)

Predicted Starting Lineup: M. Schwäbe; S. Sebulonsen, J. Simpson-Pusey, L. Lochoshvili, G. Mensah; E. Skhiri, T. Krauß; L. Maina, M. Moore, S. E. Mala; M. Bülter (probable)

Borussia Mgladbach

Formation: 3-4-2-1 (probable)

Predicted Starting Lineup: M. Nicolas; K. Diks, K. Itakura, J. Leszczynski; D. Hashioka, P. Sander, K. Stöger, L. Ullrich; H. Bolin, S. Machino; T. Kleindienst (probable)

Cologne vs Borussia Mgladbach Key Stats & Game Facts

• Borussia Mgladbach have received 2+ cards in 10 of their last 10 games vs Cologne in the Bundesliga.
• There have been 29+ shots taken in 4 of Cologne's last 4 games in the Bundesliga.
• There have been 5+ goals scored in 3 of Borussia Mgladbach's last 3 games in the Bundesliga.
• There have been 11+ shots on target in 3 of Cologne's last 3 games in the Bundesliga.
• Philipp Sander has committed 2+ fouls in 4 of his last 4 appearances in the Bundesliga.

Cologne vs Borussia Mgladbach Prediction & Best Picks

Our Prediction

Our Cologne vs Borussia Mgladbach prediction is a 2-1 Cologne win. Gladbach are winless, leaky at the back and starting over under a new coach, while Cologne's wing play and shot volume give them the sharper attack. Kleindienst gives the visitors a goal in them, but Cologne on the moneyline is the side we back.

Best Picks

Tim Kleindienst to commit over 2.5 fouls in the Player Fouls market. The Gladbach striker returns from suspension to lead the line in a physical Bundesliga fixture. This one sits in the Player Fouls market. Gladbach play an aggressive brand of soccer, and Kleindienst goes straight back up top, where he will be wrestling with Cologne's center backs all game. Our projections rate it at 38.5%, while the implied probability sits at just 23.1%, a gap worth taking.

Jahmai Simpson-Pusey to have over 0.5 shots on target in the Player Shots On Target market. The Cologne center back is a set-piece threat in a game projected to be open. This pick lives in the Player Shots On Target market. Cologne are home favorites, and Gladbach are weak both defending set pieces and in aerial duels, which is exactly where a big center back gets his look. Our projections rate it at 33.6%, comfortably clear of the implied probability.

Cologne vs Borussia Mgladbach Same Game Parlay

Our Cologne vs Borussia Mgladbach same game parlay picks swing for the fences: over 4.5 goals, both teams to score, Luca Waldschmidt to score anytime and Tim Kleindienst over 1.5 shots.

Over 4.5 goals in the Total Goals Over/Under market is the high-ceiling leg at +333 (Bet Victor). Gladbach have conceded at least four goals in their last 3 Bundesliga games.

Both Teams To Score, Yes, is priced at -200 (William Hill). It has landed in 4 of Cologne's last 4 games, and Kleindienst's return gives Gladbach a real outlet.

Luca Waldschmidt in the Anytime Goalscorer market makes sense against this opponent. He has scored in 2 of his last 3 appearances vs Gladbach in the Bundesliga.

Kleindienst over 1.5 in the Player Shots market rounds it out. He has attempted 2+ shots in 4 of his last 4 appearances vs Cologne in the Bundesliga.

At the time of writing, this Same Game Parlay pays a best price of +925 and is as short as +750 elsewhere. That's a difference in potential winnings of $18 from best to worst price.

Make sure to get the best odds on your Same Game Parlay with Oddschecker's Exclusive Same Game Parlay Comparison Tool.

Same Game Parlay odds correct at time of publishing.

Cologne vs Borussia Mgladbach Talking Points

This is Alexander Blessin's first competitive game as Gladbach head coach, and he is not hiding from the derby noise. He wants his side to get under the home crowd's skin, with "their supporters getting frustrated after ten minutes if things aren't going their team's way." The quickest route to that is a dead ball. Attacking set pieces are Gladbach's one clear strength, and Cologne are poor at defending them. The catch for Blessin is that Cologne are good at coming back from losing positions, so an early Gladbach goal guarantees nothing.

Cologne vs Borussia Mgladbach Predictions FAQs

When is the Cologne vs Borussia Mgladbach German Bundesliga game?

The game takes place on Sunday, October 11, 2026, kicking off at 9:30 AM ET / 6:30 AM PT.

Where is Cologne vs Borussia Mgladbach being played?

The game will be played at RheinEnergieSTADION in Cologne.

What is the team news for Cologne vs Borussia Mgladbach?

Cologne will be without injured attackers Thijs Dallinga and Ragnar Ache, while Alessio Castro-Montes is doubtful. Borussia Mgladbach welcome back Tim Kleindienst from suspension, though Nicolas Kühn and Elias Leopold remain sidelined through injury.

What is the score prediction for Cologne vs Borussia Mgladbach?

The statistical model projects a 2-1 victory for Cologne over Borussia Mgladbach. Cologne are aiming to bounce back on home soil, while Borussia Mgladbach are searching for their first points of the season.

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