Bayer Leverkusen vs FC Cologne — Match Preview
The BayArena prepares for a fiery Rheinderby on Saturday, 13 December 2025.1 Bayer Leverkusen, currently 4th with 23 points, are looking to bounce back immediately after a shock 2–0 defeat to Augsburg. Xabi Alonso’s men cannot afford another slip-up if they want to stay in the title race. FC Cologne sit 8th with 16 points but are in a slump, winless in their last four league games. With a decimated defense, the Billy Goats face a daunting task against their local rivals.
Bayer Leverkusen vs FC Cologne — Match Info
- Competition: Bundesliga (Matchday 14)
- Venue: BayArena, Leverkusen (Capacity: 30,210)2
- Date: Saturday, 13 December 2025
- Kickoff: 18:30 CET | 17:30 GMT | 23:00 IST
- Referee: Harm Osmers (GER)
Bayer Leverkusen vs FC Cologne — Match Stakes
Bayer Leverkusen (4th — 23 pts):
- Win → Consolidates Top 4 spot; keeps pressure on Dortmund & Bayern
- Draw → Risks dropping to 5th; confidence blow after Augsburg loss
- Loss → Back-to-back defeats would signal a mini-crisis before the winter break
FC Cologne (8th — 16 pts):
- Win → Massive derby victory; breaks the 4-match winless streak
- Draw → A valuable point away from home; stabilizes league position
- Loss → Could drop into the bottom half; extends poor form
Bayer Leverkusen vs FC Cologne — Team News
Bayer Leverkusen:
- Palacios E. — Out (Groin Injury)
- Fernandez E. — Questionable (Knee Injury – Late fitness test)
- Hofmann J. — Available (Rotation option)
FC Cologne:
- Defensive Crisis: Heintz D., Hubers T., Kilian L., Schmied J. — All Out (Injuries)
- Krauss T. — Questionable (Knock)
- Lucas (Waldschmidt) — Questionable (Muscle Injury)
Bayer Leverkusen vs FC Cologne — Team Form (Last 5 Matches)
Bayer Leverkusen
- 06/12 — 0–2 vs Augsburg (Bundesliga)
- 03/12 — 1–0 vs Dortmund (DFB-Pokal)
- 29/11 — 1–2 vs Dortmund (Bundesliga)
- 26/11 — 2–0 vs Manchester City (UCL)
- 22/11 — 3–1 vs Wolfsburg (Bundesliga)3
FC Cologne
- 06/12 — 1–1 vs St. Pauli (Bundesliga)
- 29/11 — 1–1 vs Werder Bremen (Bundesliga)
- 22/11 — 3–4 vs Eintracht Frankfurt (Bundesliga)
- 08/11 — 1–3 vs M’Gladbach (Bundesliga)
- 02/11 — 4–1 vs Hamburger SV (Bundesliga)
Bayer Leverkusen vs FC Cologne — Head-to-Head (Last 5 Meetings)
- 06/02/2025 — Bayer Leverkusen 3–2 FC Cologne (DFB-Pokal)
- 03/03/2024 — FC Cologne 0–2 Bayer Leverkusen (Bundesliga)4
- 08/10/2023 — Bayer Leverkusen 3–0 FC Cologne (Bundesliga)5
- 06/05/2023 — Bayer Leverkusen 1–2 FC Cologne (Bundesliga)
- 09/11/2022 — FC Cologne 1–2 Bayer Leverkusen (Bundesliga)6
Bayer Leverkusen vs FC Cologne — Playing XI (Predicted Lineups)
Bayer Leverkusen (3-4-2-1)
Hradecky; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Xhaka, Andrich, Grimaldo; Wirtz, Terrier; Schick
FC Cologne (4-2-3-1)
Schwäbe; Thielmann, Martel (Makeshift CB), Pauli, Pacarada; Huseinbasic, Ljubicic; Maina, Kainz, Lemperle; Downs
Bayer Leverkusen vs FC Cologne — Impact Bench
Bayer Leverkusen: Adli (Pace vs tired legs), Tella (Wing option)
FC Cologne: Tigges (Aerial target), Adamyan (Experience)
Bayer Leverkusen vs FC Cologne — Tactical Analysis
Bayer Leverkusen
Leverkusen will dominate possession and look to exploit Cologne’s makeshift defense. With Cologne missing their three main center-backs (Heintz, Hubers, Kilian), Leverkusen will target the central channels with Florian Wirtz sliding passes through for Schick. Frimpong and Grimaldo will stretch the pitch wide to force Cologne’s full-backs 1v1.
FC Cologne
With a decimated backline, Cologne must play on the counter. Their only hope is to absorb pressure and release Linton Maina’s speed on the wings. They will look to disrupt Leverkusen’s rhythm with physical midfield play (Martel/Huseinbasic), but playing Eric Martel out of position in defense is a massive risk against Schick’s aerial ability.
Bayer Leverkusen vs FC Cologne — Key Battles
- Wirtz vs Martel — the creative genius vs the makeshift defender
- Frimpong vs Pacarada — speed mismatch on the wing
- Schick vs Pauli — experience vs youth in the box
- Xhaka vs Kainz — battle for midfield control
Bayer Leverkusen vs FC Cologne — Spotlight Players
Bayer Leverkusen — Florian Wirtz
The German playmaker loves a derby. Against a Cologne defense held together by tape, Wirtz’s dribbling and vision should be the deciding factor.
FC Cologne — Marvin Schwäbe
The goalkeeper is the only thing standing between Cologne and a heavy defeat. He will need to make 5-6 top-class saves to keep his team in the game.
Bayer Leverkusen vs FC Cologne — Prediction
Bayer Leverkusen 3–1 FC Cologne
Derbies are unpredictable, but Cologne’s injury list is catastrophic. Missing their entire first-choice central defense against the German champions is a recipe for disaster. Leverkusen should have too much quality and firepower.
Bayer Leverkusen vs FC Cologne — Betting Insights
- Bayer Leverkusen to Win (-1.5 Handicap) — Likely
- Over 2.5 Goals — Yes (Cologne defense is leaking)
- Patrik Schick to Score — High Probability
Bayer Leverkusen vs FC Cologne — Where to Watch
- Germany: Sky Sport Bundesliga
- UK: Sky Sports
- USA: ESPN+
- International: DAZN / SonyLIV (India)
Bayer Leverkusen vs FC Cologne — FAQs
Q: When is the Bayer Leverkusen vs FC Cologne match?
A: The match kicks off on Saturday, 13 December 2025, at 18:30 CET.7
Q: Where is the match being played?
A: It will be played at the BayArena in Leverkusen.
Q: Why are so many Cologne defenders out?
A: Cologne is facing an injury crisis with Heintz, Hubers, and Kilian all ruled out with various injuries.
Q: Is Exequiel Palacios playing for Leverkusen?
A: No. Palacios is out with a groin injury.
Q: Who is the referee?
A: Harm Osmers will officiate the derby.
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