The German league started later than the others and will make up for it thanks to a midweek seventeenth round. Bayern play to confirm first place in the table against Cologne,RB Leipzig are headed to Gelsenkirchen in search for points, Hertha will compete with Wolfsburg while Hoffenheim face Stuttgart.In the first competitive game of 2023, Bayern did not win. Although the draw in Leipzig is nothing to be ashamed of, a loss of points against Cologne would be a big surprise. However, despite their role as favourites, the Munich giants should be cautious. The guests will arrive in Bavaria in high spirits after destroying Werder on Saturday.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Much was expected from Leipzig’s duel against Bayern on Friday, but in the end there were more attractive matches during the 16th round of the Bundesliga. It was seen that both the Red Bulls and the Bavarians were cautious as they clearly are preparing for the second half of the season. The team from Munich took the lead in Saxony, but after the change of sides, they conceded a goal. The final 1-1 draw thus seems a deserved result accepted by both sides.Unlike Bayern, Cologne did not face a serious opponent at the weekend. The Billy Goats did not squander their lead, on the contrary, they increased it. They led by five goals in the first half, after which Werder managed to shake the net once. However, after the break, Cologne scored two more goals and finally celebrated one of their biggest victories in Bundesliga history (7-1).🔴⚪️ MATCHDAY! ⚪️🔴After our super start to 2023 on Saturday, a trip to Bayern is on tonight’s agenda.Where are you backing the boys from this evening? 💪🔥___#FCBKOE #effzeh pic.twitter.com/1mACce4RZ2— 1. FC Cologne (@fckoeln_en) January 24, 2023 It is unlikely that Cologne would start a similar goal machine against Bayern after Saturday’s cannonade. However, even in the Allianz Arena, they do not intend to give up their usual style.”We want to play our football in Munich as well. We want to be brave as in other games,” said Cologne coach Steffen Baumgart with confidence.Bayern’s strategist Julian Nagelsmann is aware that the demolition of the team from Bremen helped Baumgart and company a lot psychologically.”The seven goals scored gave Cologne confidence. It is characterized by high intensity on the ball. We have to transfer our emotions to the field and fight,” said the 35-year-old Nagelsmann.Bayern, who will remain top of the Bundesliga table regardless of Tuesday’s result, are still short of a few of their stars. Injuries will not allow goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, defender Lucas Hernandez, Nusair Mazraoui, and Sadio Mane to perform. Stopper Dayot Upamecano also reported minor problems after the match in Leipzig, but according to Nagelsmann, he should be fit for Cologne.#FlorianKainz is Cologne’s biggest goal threat this term, but has just the one assist to show for his first seven games against Bayern (all defeats). #FCBKOE pic.twitter.com/fiJTmeunPL— FC Bayern English & Germany National team (@FCBayernGER) January 23, 2023 After a long time, the Billy Goats can count on the young striker Jan Thielmann, but a large number of other strikers remain out of the game. Namely, Baumgart does not have four healthy offensive players on the list, such as Florian Dietz, Mark Uth, Sebastian Andersson and Dimitris Limnios. Luca Kilian and Christian Pedersen will not play either, and Ellyes Skhiri’s start is uncertain.BUNDESLIGA – ROUND 17Tuesday20:30: (6.00) Schalke (4.10) RB Leipzig (1.55)22:30: (1.25) Bayern (7.00) Koln (12.0)22:30: (3.10) Hertha (3.35) Wolfsburg (2.45)22:30: (2.30) Hoffenheim (3.50) Stuttgart (3.25)Wednesday20:30: (2.90) Mainz (3.40) Dortmund (2.40)22:30: (3.15) Augsburg (3.50) M’ gladbach (2.35)22:30: (1.48) Leverkusen (4.50) Bochum (7.75)22:30: (2.60) Freiburg (3.40) Eintr.Frankfurt (2.85)22:30: (2.95) Werder (3.20) Union Berlin (2.65)***odds are subject to change***
