FC Koln vs. Bayer Leverkusen 10/24/21 Bundesliga Soccer Pick, Odds, and Prediction

FC Koln is welcoming Bayer Leverkusen to RheinEnergieStadion in round 9 in the German Bundesliga. Koln has been doing a good job in staying away from the relegation zone so far this season, and they have been pretty effective in the attacking end. Leverkusen has been beating everyone they came across, but they couldn’t be a match for Bayern last week.

Koln is in solid 9^th place with 12 points, 13 scored goals, and 14 conceded goals, and it’s a good thing they scored so many goals because their defense has been a disaster. Koln has lost only 1 of their last 5 games, but they have also won only 1 of those 5 games, and they have conceded at least 1 goal in each of those 5 games. In their latest game against Hoffenheim, Koln has had 49% of ball possession, 0 shots on goal, 3 corner kicks, 0 big chances created, and 76% of the correct passes. Honestly, I expected a lot more from Koln in this game, but instead, they lost this game 5-0. Modeste has scored 4 goals for Koln so far, while Skhiri added 3 goals. Schmitz has added 3 assists. Horn and Skhiri are both injured. The good news is Koln will stay in Bundesliga, but if they want more, they need to get their defense going fast.

Leverkusen got demolished by Bayern last weekend, hard, ad they weren’t able to fully bounce back in the Europa League earlier this week. Leverkusen was playing against Betis in that game, and they have had 53% of ball possession, 7 shots on goal, 7 corner kicks, 1 big chance created, and 81% of the correct passes. This was a pretty even game, but Betis got ahead from the penalty spot in the 75^th minute. Luckily for Leverkusen, Andrich took a shot in the 82^nd minute, the ball was deflected, and the score was now 1-1. Neither team was happy with the draw, but the final score was 1-1. As far as Bundesliga goes, Leverkusen has been outstanding, and they are now in 4^th place with 16 points, but they also have a game less than Freiburg in 3^rd. Offensively, Leverkusen is just behind Bayern and Borussia Dortmund with 21 scored goals, but their defense has been solid, well except that game against Bayern. Schick is the leading goalscorer for Leverkusen with 7 goals, while Wirtz and Diaby added 4 goals. Wirtz has also added 5 assists. I love this Leverkusen team, I think they are playing great soccer that is lovely to watch, and I really hope they can keep it going.

 Koln hasn’t won any of their last 3 games against Leverkusen, while Leverkusen hasn’t lost any of their last 7 games on the road. This will be a fun game to watch, we will see great soccer and a lot of chances and goals. I’m also siding with Leverkusen.