VfL Wolfsburg vs. 1. FC Köln Bundesliga Preview: Team news and predicted lineups

February 27, 2024

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13:50

Marvin Schwäbe. By Sandro Halank, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0, CC BY-SA 4.0.

1. FC Köln are heading into this clash off the back of a thrashing from Dortmund whereas Wolfsburg failed to take their chances in an away draw against Heidenheim.

Overview

1. FC Köln are without a victory since the early December 1-0 win against Darmstadt away from home.

However, a glimmer of hope for the Billy Goats has come in the form of the rising influence of their youngsters like Max Finkgräfe and Justin Diehl.

Diehl played his first senior team game against Heidenheim in the calendar year opener for Timo Schultz. Recently, it was stated by the newly-appointed Köln coach that Justin Diehl was "soon ready to make his starting lineup debut".

Wolfsburg, similarly, have been on a slump of their own and have only won one of their last six Bundesliga games (also winning against Darmstadt in December).

Despite this, the work rate hasn't been lacking from the Wolves as they have the fifth most distance covered and the most intensive runs out of any Bundesliga side.

VfL Wolfsburg's brightest light this season has definitely been Jonas Wind who has contributed to fourteen goals.

One worrying fact about Jonas Wind is that almost two-thirds of Wolfsburg's goals have been contributed by the Danish international which perhaps suggests a huge reliance on the player.

VfL Wolfsburg Team News

For VfL Wolfsburg, Lukas Nmecha is out with a knee problem and Patrick Wimmer is also missing with an ankle issue. Ridle Baku is doubtful and so is Tiago Tomás.

VfL Wolfsburg Predicted Lineup

1. FC Köln Team News

Injuries to both Mark Uth, Davie Selke and Luca Waldschmidt mean that youngster Jan Thielmann will have to take a more advanced role against Wolfsburg. Other than this, no other players are expected to be missing on Saturday.