Borussia Mönchengladbach vs 1. FC Köln Bundesliga Preview: Team News and Predicted Lineups

Match Overview

Borussia Mönchengladbach

Borussia Mönchengladbach head into this tie following a 1-1 draw against 17th place Mainz last weekend. A second half Nathan Ngoumou goal meant they left the carnival city with a point.

They currently sit in 12th place in the Bundesliga and have a huge DFB-Pokal tie against Saarbrücken whic could leave them one game from the cup final with a victory.

Last time out against the Billy Goats, Borussia Mönchengladbach were humiliated 3-1 as the relegation-threatened side earnt a massive home derby win through goals from Florian Kainz and Luca Waldschmidt.

Ahead of the derby, Borussia Mönchengladbach's coach Gerardo Seaone said: "All of the players know the importance of the derby and how huge the game on Saturday is. I’m expecting every player to be full of determination and to give 100 percent."

1. FC Köln

For Köln, their top scorer this season with five goals in Davie Selke is expected to return to the lineup following a spell on the sidelines this year.

Despite this, the Müngersdorf side have struggled to score this season and only have sixteen goals this Bundesliga season which is less than any other side.

Köln were improved against Bayer Leverkusen and withstood a heavy Bayer 04 attack for the majority of the game despite having ten men in the 2-0 loss.

Big chances from Sargis Adamyan and Dejan Ljubicic weren't taken however, so the Billy Goats will hope that lead striker Davie Selke can capitalise on these opportunities.

Köln have the upper hand in recent history, against the Foals they have only lost one of their last six games (won four, drawn one). As well as this, Timo Schultz can boast that he is still unbeaten away from home as coach of "Effzeh".

Before the game on Saturday, Köln coach Timo Schultz said: "I'm asking the lads to be loud and give as much as they can. They should leave everything on the pitch. The fans will see a team that is really up for the game on Saturday."

Team News

Borussia Mönchengladbach

Tomáš Čvančara is out with an ankle injury so will miss Saturday's game and Alassane Pléa is also unavailable with a foot problem.

1. FC Köln

Justin Diehl is out with a muscular injury for several weeks after he came off after just four minutes vs Bayer Leverkusen. Mark Uth and Luca Waldschmidt both are still out with injuries and are unlikely to return until after the international break.

Dejan Ljubicic is serving a yellow card suspension and Jan Thielmann will also be unavailable due to red card suspension until the game against Augsburg.

Predicted Lineups

Borussia Mönchengladbach:

Nicolas; Elvedi, Itakura, Wöber; Honorat, Reitz, Weigl (c), Koné, Netz; Jordan, Ngoumou

1. FC Köln:

Schwäbe; Carstensen, Hübers, Chabot, Finkgräfe; Martel, Huseinbašić; Alidou, Kainz (c), Maina; Adamyan