Bayern Munich vs Koln 27/02/21

Fresh from thumping Lazio 4-1 in the UEFA Champions League midweek, Bayern Munich will be looking to return to winning ways in the Bundesliga when they meet Koln at the Allianz Arena this weekend.

In the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich have endured a dip in form, going from five consecutive victories to back-to-back matches without winning (D1, L1), as they enter this round harboring a two-point lead on second-placed RB Leipzig. However, the reigning German champions have been flawless at home this season, avoiding defeat in all ten Bundesliga fixtures at the Allianz Arena (W7, D3) and returning a staggering +22 goal difference from those contests (GF:37, GA:15). Bayern’s attacking potential often sparks into life after half-time, as evidenced by the fact that 25 (67.57%) of their 37 league goals scored at home this term have arrived in the second half of play. Against Koln, it’s not a matter of if but how many, given four of their last six top-flight H2Hs held at this venue have seen Hansi Flick’s side secure a winning margin of at least three goals.

Meanwhile, Koln’s relegation tussle has suffered a couple of setbacks lately, with the visitors going from back-to-back Bundesliga loss to two straight defeats, both of which came ‘to nil.’ Sitting just three points clear of the relegation zone, ‘Die Geißböcke’ have alternated between a win and a loss across their last five league trips (W2, L3). Interestingly, both of Koln’s victories in the abovementioned five-match sequence yielded the identical 2-1 scoreline, while all three defeats saw them fail to get on the scoresheet and concede over 1.5 goals. Markus Gisdol’s men often lose momentum in the second half, recording a clear majority (62.5%) of their total Bundesliga goals conceded away from home this season after half-time (10/16). It’s also worth noting that Koln have failed to score in both of their away top-flight games against the sides currently occupying the top-four spots.