Hoffenheim vs. FC Koln Prediction: BTTS or Over 2.5 goals in this game

On Saturday, Hoffenheim will host Koln and will be aiming to win at the Rhein-Neckar Arena in a Bundesliga matchup between mid-table teams. A win for Hoffenheim will aid the home team to overtake the away team on the league table. 

Last week, the hosts were unable to extend their winning streak to four games after playing to a 1-1 tie with league-leading Bayern Munich. The first-half goal by Benjamin Pavard was canceled out by Andrej Kramari's goal in the 71st minute.

In their past three league games, Koln hasn't lost. About a week ago, they defeated Augsburg to earn their first league victory since February. Prior to that, Mainz had held them to a 1-1 tie. The visitors, meanwhile, will be seeking to continue their remarkable turnaround by winning their fourth straight game.

When they traveled to Munich to play the league leaders, it was the final challenge to determine the actual extent of Hoffenheim's development after they had just won three straight games to pull away from the relegation zone.

Following Saturday's home match against Koln, they have four games against teams that are currently occupying positions in the top half of Germany's top division. The coach will be urging his players to capitalize on the momentum they have worked so hard to build over recent outings, with moving up to 11th place being a distinct possibility should they win for the fourth time in five games.

Following his comeback to the lineup for the draw against Bayern last weekend, Ozan Kabak is poised to start once more for Hoffenheim as important defender Kevin Vogt appears to be out for the remainder of the season due to a significant knee injury.

Justin Che and Jacob Bruun Larsen are slated to miss out due to knee and groin injuries, respectively.

Hoffenheim's possible starting lineup:

Goalkeeper: Baumann; 

Defenders: Kabak, Brooks, Akpoguma; 

Midfielders: Kaderabek, Geiger, Stiller, Angelino; 

Attackers: Kramaric, Baumgartner; Bebou

FC Koln has only won twice in their past 12 league games, making victories difficult to come by recently. Although Dejan Ljubicic earned a well-earned point for FC Koln against Mainz 05 last weekend, five points from their past three games has allayed any residual concerns they may have had about the remote chance of being relegated.

However, scoring goals has definitely been a problem for Baumgart's team, as just nine goals have been scored in their twelve games since hammering Werder Bremen 7-1 in their rematch following the World Cup. The 51-year-old will be praying this weekend that Hoffenheim proves particularly understanding.

FC Koln has three strikers (Sebastian Andersson, Florian Dietz, and Mark Uth)  still out with long-term ailments, and won't be traveling with Koln. The away team coach is therefore not expected to modify Koln's starting lineup considering his team's recent improvements in performance.

FC Koln possible starting lineup:

Goalkeeper: Schwabe; 

Defenders: Schmitz, Hubers, Chabot, Hector; 

Midfielders: Ljubicic, Martel; Schindler, Kainz, Maina; 

Striker: Selke

Despite losing in the DFB Pokal in 2016, Hoffenheim has a strong home record against visitors and are undefeated since 2015. Between September and March, they were without a league victory, but they've since won back-to-back games at home. For the first time this season, they have gone unbeaten in four league games, and they hope to extend that streak to five games.

Six of the away team's past nine league games on the road ended in a scoreless tie. Additionally, they have failed to score in three of their past four encounters with the hosts, so they could have trouble in this game.

Both sides enter the match with winning records. We anticipate a win for the home team with likely scorelines of 2-1, 3-1, or 4-1.