TSG Hoffenheim vs FC Köln - German DFB Pokal

TSG Hoffenheim vs FC Köln
German Cup : 2nd Round DFB Pokal
Date : 25 October 2011
Stadium : Wirsol Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Sinsheim

Hoffenheim hosts Köln in the 2nd round of the German Cup on Tuesday. Considering last Saturday's Bundesliga results, Hoffenheim should be clear favourite at home, but Köln always looked well in Hoffenheim and the Cup has it own rules anyway.

Finally the TSG Hoffenheim could score a goal last Saturday and that was already enough to beat Mönchengladbach 1:0. Hoffenheim's defence has improved under new coach Stanislawski and the team plays pretty attractive football, just they have big problems to score. The goal against Mönchengladbach was the only one in the last four matches. At least former top striker Ibisevic has returned from a longer injury, it was him who scored this goal. In Bundesliga Hoffenheim won three of five matches at home (3-1-1).

0:5 was the result the 1. FC Köln got demolished in Dortmund on Saturday. Not the best for the confidence, but Köln had played much better the weeks before. After a bad start into the season under new coach Solbakken, the team made progress recently, won three of four matches before the defeat in Dortmund. One of this victories came at home against Hoffenheim (2:0) at the end of September. Köln has been the worst away team of the Bundesliga last season and has also lost three of five away this season, but could at least win 4:3 in Hamburg and even won the derby in Leverkusen 4:1.

Head to Head :
Last Meeting : 25 September 2011, FC Köln 2 - 0 Hoffenheim
Wins Hoffenheim : 3
Wins FC Köln : 5
Draws : 2

Recent Performance :
Hoffenheim - W/L/D/L/W
FC Köln - W/W/L/W/L

Possible Line-Ups :
Hoffenheim : Haas - Beck, Vorsah, Compper, Braafheid, Rudy, Kaiser, Obasi, Firmino, Babel, Ibisevic.
FC Köln : Rensing - Brecko, Sereno, Jemal, Eichner, Lanig, Riether, Clemens, Jajalo, Podolski.

Betting Tip / Prediction :
Hoffenheim is favourite at home, but as they have big problems to score, it would not be without risk to bet on them. Probably it would be safer to go for few goals.