The visitors look much stronger at the start: Köln vs Hoffenheim prediction
The opening-round Bundesliga match between Köln and Hoffenheim will take place on 29 August at the RheinEnergieStadion. Both teams ended last season with heavy defeats, but they significantly reshaped their squads over the summer and have already started the new campaign with victories in the German Cup.
Köln: rebuilding after a worrying end to the season
Last season almost ended in relegation for Köln, who won only one of their final 14 matches but still managed to preserve their Bundesliga status. The Billy Goats were thrashed 5-1 by Bayern Munich on the final day, while René Wagner, who replaced Lukas Kwasniok in the spring, was given the opportunity to carry out a full rebuild.
The club strengthened considerably over the summer by signing Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, Luka Lochoshvili, Tom Krauß, Reigan Heskey and Paul Okon-Engstler. Their first competitive match of the season ended in a 2-1 German Cup victory over Würzburger Kickers, although overcoming the third-tier side proved far from straightforward.
Hoffenheim: last season left a sense of a missed opportunity
Christian Ilzer's side finished just one point outside the Champions League places, with the decisive blow coming on the final day when they lost 4-0 to Borussia Mönchengladbach. Despite the painful ending, the club's hierarchy retained faith in the coach and invested heavily in strengthening the squad.
The sale of Bazoumana Touré to Newcastle for a club-record £42m helped fund more than £60m worth of new signings. In the German Cup, the revamped Hoffenheim side immediately looked impressive and thrashed Erzgebirge Aue 4-0.
Match facts and head-to-head record
- Köln won only one of their final 14 matches last season.
- Hoffenheim finished the previous league campaign just one point outside the top four.
- In the German Cup, Köln won 2-1, while Hoffenheim won their match 4-0.
The difference in quality could become clear quickly: Köln vs Hoffenheim prediction
Köln have strengthened significantly, but their opening cup match showed that Wagner's new-look side still need time. Compared with opponents who came close to qualifying for the Champions League last season, the hosts currently look less convincing.
Hoffenheim kept their coach, strengthened considerably and have already shown good intensity in their first competitive match. If the visitors can carry that tempo into the Bundesliga, they have every chance of starting the season with a convincing victory.
