Bundesliga: FC Koln vs. Hertha Berlin Preview, Predictions, Betting Tips, Picks (May 12)

Friday brings a big-time clash in the Bundesliga relegation battle, with FC Koln hosting Hertha Berlin. With five rounds to go, the hosts are 10 points clear of the relegation zone, but need one win to secure their status in the top tier of German football. Hertha is five points behind safety, and the Berlin Old Lady is desperate for three points. Both units won last weekend, which boosted their morale and built a swing. Currently, Koln is slightly better, but everything is possible in cases like these.

Preview

FC Koln (-110) is coming off a narrow 2-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen on the road, and overall, the Billy Goats have been in good shape over the recent weeks, winning three of their previous five matches. 

Their record at home has been rather mediocre, with five wins, losses, and draws in 15 appearances at the RheinEnergy Stadium. But at least the goal difference has been positive, 22 scored and 16 conceded goals.

Since the start of April, Koln played six events, losing just one, posting three victories and two ties. Four of those events were with both teams netting, and interestingly all three wins were on the road, while games at home saw under 2.5 hits, two draws, and a loss. 

Hertha Berlin (+320), on the other hand, has been inconsistent all season and is currently in the relegation zone. They have been poor away from home, winning just one of their 15 away games this season, scoring 14 times but allowing 36 goals. 

Road games are the main reason this team sits dead last in the Bundesliga standings and isn’t favored by the bookies to stay alive in the relegation battle. 

Before winning against Stuttgart last weekend, we saw them failing to do so in eight consecutive events, having four straight defeats prior to that victory. In all those four defeats, we’ve seen them concede 12 times, and since the start of 2023, Hertha has kept its net intact only once. 

Latest News

FC Koln can’t count on Sebastian Anderson, Florian Dietz, Benno Schmitz, and Mark Uth.

Hertha is without Tolga Cigerci, and Kelian Nsona, while Oliver-Marc Kempf and Marco Richter stand as game-time decisions.

Head to Head Games

Hertha Berlin was better in the year’s opening game, 2-0. Kanga opened the game early with a goal in the ninth minute, and Richter scored another in the 54th for a routine and easy victory for the hosts.

Previously Koln didn’t lose in four consecutive against the Old Lady.

Predictions

A big game is ahead of us in terms of stakes and a potential impact on the relegation battle. Koln is in a better mood before this contest, and they even have the option to settle with one point, but the Billy Goats want to solve everything now. Hertha is back against the wall and has no other option but to be aggressive and go after a victory. The time is ticking for the team from the German capital, and they are becoming rather desperate to clinch three points. We are going with both teams scoring, as both units don’t have some shiny defense, while on the other side have to attack and push forward. 

Pick: Both teams to score -115