1. FC Köln

1. FC Köln have been dependable at home this season, collecting seven points from an available nine with two wins and a draw. In contrast, Schalke have lost two of their three Bundesliga away games and have failed to defeat Köln in their last ten competitive encounters. While injuries to personnel such as Ellyes Skhiri and Timo Hubers warrant a degree of caution, backing Köln to avoid defeat covers both the home victory and a stalemate.

1. FC Köln or Draw — 75% confidence

1. FC Koln have remained solid at home, taking four points from two fixtures with four goals scored and three conceded. In contrast, Borussia Monchengladbach have endured a disastrous start to the Bundesliga campaign with four consecutive defeats, including zero points and an 8-0 aggregate scoreline across their two away matches. Backing Koln on the double chance accounts for Monchengladbach's potential to battle for a point while acknowledging their four-match losing streak.

Over 2.5 Goals — 72% confidence

Goals have flowed freely in games involving these two teams. Borussia Monchengladbach have conceded sixteen goals in just four league matches, an average of 4.0 goals per game, while Koln have seen fifteen total goals scored across their four league fixtures. Furthermore, nine of the last ten meetings between these sides have produced over 2.5 goals, with the head-to-head history averaging 4.3 goals per match.

These two calls are about different parts of the match (double chance and total goals), so neither one determines the other. The figure shown is the lower of the two — a combo can never be more likely than its weaker leg.

Goals have flowed freely in games involving these two teams. Borussia Monchengladbach have conceded sixteen goals in just four league matches, an average of 4.0 goals per game, while Koln have seen fifteen total goals scored across their four league fixtures. Furthermore, nine of the last ten meetings between these sides have produced over 2.5 goals, with the head-to-head history averaging 4.3 goals per match.

1. FC Koln have remained solid at home, taking four points from two fixtures with four goals scored and three conceded. In contrast, Borussia Monchengladbach have endured a disastrous start to the Bundesliga campaign with four consecutive defeats, including zero points and an 8-0 aggregate scoreline across their two away matches. Backing Koln on the double chance accounts for Monchengladbach's potential to battle for a point while acknowledging their four-match losing streak.

Hamburger SV have endured a difficult start to the Bundesliga season, losing all three of their matches without scoring a single goal while conceding 12. Their lone home league match ended in a 5-0 defeat to FSV Mainz 05. In contrast, 1. FC Köln have picked up four points from their opening three games and have scored in every fixture so far. Backing the visitors to win or draw accounts for Hamburger SV's defensive difficulties while providing coverage against the draw, which occurred in their most recent meeting in March 2026.

Both clubs demonstrated significant defensive openness in their opening round matches. Stuttgart conceded five goals while finding the net once against Bayern, and Köln scored three while conceding two against Hoffenheim. The last two head-to-head meetings between these sides in the league also saw both teams score, making goals at both ends a likely outcome.

VfB Stuttgart have dominated recent head-to-head fixtures against 1. FC Köln, remaining undefeated across their last five Bundesliga encounters with four wins and one draw. While Stuttgart started their season with a tough away loss in Munich, returning to home soil provides a platform to stabilize. Köln are missing key goalscorer T. Dallinga through illness, reducing their clinical edge in attack and favoring the hosts to secure at least a point.

VfB Stuttgart or Draw — 74% confidence

VfB Stuttgart have dominated recent head-to-head fixtures against 1. FC Köln, remaining undefeated across their last five Bundesliga encounters with four wins and one draw. While Stuttgart started their season with a tough away loss in Munich, returning to home soil provides a platform to stabilize. Köln are missing key goalscorer T. Dallinga through illness, reducing their clinical edge in attack and favoring the hosts to secure at least a point.

Yes — 68% confidence

Both clubs demonstrated significant defensive openness in their opening round matches. Stuttgart conceded five goals while finding the net once against Bayern, and Köln scored three while conceding two against Hoffenheim. The last two head-to-head meetings between these sides in the league also saw both teams score, making goals at both ends a likely outcome.

These two calls are about different parts of the match (double chance and both teams to score), so neither one determines the other. The figure shown is the lower of the two — a combo can never be more likely than its weaker leg.

1899 Hoffenheim have dominated recent meetings in Cologne, remaining undefeated in their last five away head-to-head encounters against 1. FC Köln (3 wins, 2 draws). In addition, Köln have several defensive and midfield fitness concerns, including injuries to T. Hubers and L. Maina. Backing Hoffenheim in the double chance market provides strong statistical coverage.

1. FC Köln enter this cup tie unbeaten in their last three outings, scoring 12 goals across that span. While Würzburger Kickers have won three of their last four games, Köln's quality provides the edge. In alignment with VIP safety guidelines, taking 1. FC Köln or Draw covers the potential risk of a tight knockout scenario.