FC Köln vs Werder Bremen Preview: Match Analysis, Key Players, and Predictions

Friday at 2:30 PM ET is FC Cologne vs. Werder Bremen's second Bundesliga match of the season; Werder Bremen prevailed 2-1 in the opening encounter. On February 11, FC Cologne's last away game against TSG Hoffenheim ended in a 1-1 draw. In the encounter against TSG Hoffenheim, Max Finkgrafe scored.

On February 10, Werder Bremen's most recent game ended in a 2-1 loss at home against 1. FC Heidenheim 1846. In the game, Werder Bremen's lone goal came from Romano Schmid. On September 23, Werder Bremen emerged victorious 2-1 in their previous encounter between these teams. FC Cologne had 14 shots while Werder Bremen had 16 in that contest. Davie Selke of FC Cologne scored one goal on one attempt. Werder Bremen's goals came from Rafael Santos Borre Maury and Justin Njinmah.

Matchup Stats & Insights

- With 15 goals in 21 games, FC Cologne is ranked 18th in the Bundesliga in terms of goals scored, while Werder Bremen is ranked eighth with 34 goals allowed in 21 games.

- In the Bundesliga, Werder Bremen is ranked 10th with 1.4 goals scored per game, while FC Cologne is ranked ninth with 1.7 goals allowed per game.

- FC Köln has a -20 goal difference, which puts them 17th in the league.

- Werder Bremen has a -4 goal differential, which puts them tenth in the league. 

- Werder Bremen has faced 312 opponent shots over 21 games, ranking 15th in the Bundesliga, while FC Cologne has registered 231 shots over 21 games, ranking 15th.

- FC Cologne gives up 14.2 shots per game (11th in the league), while Werder Bremen attempts 10.5 shots per game (18th in the Bundesliga).

- 13th in the league in terms of shooting differential is FC Cologne (-67 total, -3.2 per game).

- With a shooting difference of -91 (-4.3 per game), Werder Bremen is ranked 18th in the league. 

FC Cologne Leaders

- For FC Cologne, Selke has five goals (on 28 shots, 2.1 per game).

- Florian Kainz has one assist and three goals.

- Faride Alidou has not provided an assist despite scoring two goals.

- Luca Waldschmidt has not provided an assist despite scoring two goals.

Werder Bremen Leaders

- Marvin Ducksch is a vital member of Werder Bremen, with nine goals and four assists.

- Mitchell Weiser is another important player for Werder Bremen with two goals and four assists.

- Njinmah has one assist and four goals.

- Rafael Borre has not provided an assist despite scoring four goals.

FC Koln's offence has scored nine goals at home this season, which makes up 60% of their total goals, as compared against Werder Bremen's defence. They score 0.35 goals more at home than away, with an average of 0.9 goals per game. Werder Bremen, on the other hand, has given up 17 goals while playing away, accounting for 50% of their overall goal total. They let up 1.7 goals on average per game when playing away, which is 0.15 goals higher than when playing at home. In terms of goals scored at home, FC Koln is ranked 17th, while Werder Bremen is tied for fifth place with regards to goals surrendered away.

When comparing FC Koln's defence to Werder Bremen's offensive, FC Koln has let up 15 goals at home, which is 43% of their total number of goals allowed. At home, they let up 1.5 goals per game on average, which is 0.32 goals fewer than when they play away. However, 11 of Werder Bremen's goals have come from away, accounting for 37% of their total. They score 0.63 goals fewer on the road than they do at home, averaging 1.1 goals per game. FC Koln and Werder Bremen are tied for tenth place in terms of goals allowed at home and goals scored away, respectively.

Whereas 11 players from Werder Bremen have struck the back of the net, 7 players from FC Koln have scored at least one goal. With nine goals, Werder Bremen's Marvin Ducksch is the lone player from either side in the top ten goal scorers in the league.