The Swabians are looking to bounce back at home: Stuttgart vs Köln prediction
The second-round Bundesliga match between Stuttgart and Köln will take place on 4 September at the MHP Arena. The hosts began the season with a heavy defeat to Bayern Munich, while the visitors have already picked up three points after beating Hoffenheim.
Stuttgart: time to forget the heavy defeat in Munich
Sebastian Hoeneß's side made a disastrous start to the Bundesliga, losing 5-1 to Bayern Munich. However, shortly before that Stuttgart comfortably beat Hansa 4-0 in the German Cup, so it is still too early to talk about a deeper crisis.
The hosts' main argument is their home record from last season. In 19 domestic matches on their own ground, they lost only three times, recorded 13 victories and kept eight clean sheets.
Köln: positive start after a difficult end to last season
Köln began the league campaign with a 3-2 comeback victory over Hoffenheim, twice coming from behind during the match. Thijs Dallinga was the hero, scoring twice and netting the winner in the 82nd minute.
Before that, René Wagner's side beat Würzburger Kickers 2-1 in the German Cup. Their away record remains a concern, however: the previous victory on the road was their first in 14 matches, and Köln conceded at least twice in nine of those games.
Match facts and head-to-head record
- Stuttgart won both Bundesliga meetings with Köln last season.
- The hosts have won five of the last seven head-to-head meetings and were unbeaten throughout that run.
- Köln have won only one of their last 14 away matches in all competitions.
Home advantage should help the hosts: Stuttgart vs Köln prediction
The heavy defeat to Bayern was painful, but it does not erase Stuttgart's impressive home record. They are far more confident on their own ground and regularly create enough chances to score several goals.
Köln have already shown plenty of character in the opening round, so the hosts should not expect an easy victory. However, the visitors' poor away form and unfavourable head-to-head record make Stuttgart the favourites.
