Preview: FC Koln vs St Pauli - prediction, team news, lineups

[(1. FC Koln) Strength]:
1. 1. FC Koln's Malek El Mala scored in the last match and is expected to continue operating down the left flank, while centre-forward Marius Bulter will lead the line.
2. 1. FC Koln scored 11 goals in the final 15 minutes of matches (from the 75th minute onward) this Bundesliga season, the second-highest tally in the league during that period.
3. 1. FC Koln failed to score in only 1 of their 14 matches this season and created the most big chances (34) among the top five teams in the Bundesliga.
4. 1. FC Koln have the upper hand with 8 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss in their 11 encounters between the two sides.

[(1. FC Koln) Neutral]:
1. 1. FC Koln are 7 points ahead of 17th-placed FC St. Pauli, but they took only 5 points in the last 6 Bundesliga games.
2. Luca Kilian remains sidelined due to a knee issue, and Sebastian Sebulonsen, Rav van den Berg, and Cenk Ozkacar are likely to form a back three.

[(1. FC Koln) Weakness]:
1. 1. FC Koln won only one, drew two, and lost four in the last seven games. Besides, they conceded at least 3 goals in 3 of their last 5 games.

[(FC St. Pauli) Strength]:
1. David Nemeth is FC St. Pauli's only confirmed absentee, leaving the squad in relatively good health overall.
2. Danel Sinani is FC St. Pauli's forward, with midfielders James Sands, Jackson Irvine, and Joel Chima Fujita expected to provide support.
3. FC St. Pauli won 2-1 over Borussia Monchengladbach in the DFB-Pokal, marking the first time in their last 11 matches that they have scored more than two goals in a single game.

[(FC St. Pauli) Weakness]:
1. FC St. Pauli are 2nd from the bottom of the Bundesliga, ranking in 17th place and deep in the relegation zone.
2. FC St. Pauli performed poorly in the Bundesliga, losing the last 8 league games.
3. FC St. Pauli are 16th on the road this season, scoring 4 goals and conceding 10. This season so far, they received 1 win and 5 losses away from home, with a win rate of 16.7%.
4. FC St. Pauli scored 7 goals and conceded 18 in the last 8 encounters between the two sides, placing them at a disadvantage.

[Tips]:
1. FC Koln are ahead of FC St. Pauli in the table and hope to extend their lead in this game.

From the two teams' recent form, 1. FC Koln won only one of the last seven games, while FC St. Pauli performed poorly in the Bundesliga, losing the last 8 league games.

In terms of their H2H records, 1. FC Koln have the upper hand.

The AH line is -0.5 for the home side.

Considering 1. FC Koln's superior overall strength, they are expected to win this game.

[Recommended]:
1. FC Koln (-0.5)