Our next opponents: Köln defensively solid and with more attacking options again

Position

After eight matchdays of the Bundesliga season, the position in the table is still difficult to judge for many teams - that goes for 1. FC Köln as well. "Everyone's extremely close to each other," FC centre-back Joël Schmied told the club's website this week. "You win a game and suddenly you're almost in a European place. You lose and you're almost in the relegation zone." Indeed, Köln, in 13th place, are just three points above second from bottom going into Matchday 9, but only four points away from sixth place.

Looking at the Billy Goats' last five competitive matches, you can certainly see a positive trend with two wins, two draws, one defeat and only three goals conceded. The successes in the derby against Borussia Mönchengladbach (2-1) and in the DFB Pokal against 1. FC Union Berlin (5-0) in particular should give the team confidence. Last weekend, they could only manage a 1-1 draw away to the Berliners in the league, but nevertheless Köln could be pleased about a successful Bundesliga debut from Malek El Mala. The striker scored the equaliser for the visitors just minutes after coming on, after being set up by his brother Said. "A draw was a fair result," said head coach René Wagne after the game.

Ahead of the 75th Rhine derby, defender Schmied is feeling combative: "We have very quick attacking players who like it when there's a lot of room behind the back line. I think that can suit us against big teams who expect to dominate the play." Meetings with Leverkusen are always special, he added: "We want to win these battles, even though we're the underdogs. We'll give it everything and have a good game plan."

Personnel

A lot of hopes at Köln are resting on Ragnar Ache. The striker has been out of action because of a muscle injury since the 2-1 defeat to Hamburger SV in mid-September. He did return to team training recently and is expected to be included in the squad again for the first time against the Werkself, but whether he'll start is doubtful. Wagner has mainly used a front two of Marius Bülter and Said El Mala in recent weeks.

There are unlikely to be changes in the defence. In front of goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe, centre-backs Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Schmied have done their job pretty well in recent weeks. The same goes for full-backs Borna Sosa and Sebastian Sebulonsen. In defence, Tom Krauß and Paul Okon-Engstler have provided stability recently, while Linton Maina, Isak Johannesson and Mikey Moore are likely to occupy the attacking roles in midfield.

Wagner will definitely be without defender Timo Hübers (individual training after knee injury) and Rav van den Berg (muscle injury) as well as midfielder Ellyes Skhiri (syndesmosis tear) and forward Imad Rondic (muscle injury). Dutch striker Thijs Dallinga, on loan from Bologna, is also out with a long-term cruciate ligament injury.

Problems

Although Köln appear to have a fair amount of the play and a relatively high possession share (52.1% on average), they don't generate sufficient goal threat from it. In terms of chance conversion, Wagner's side are among the three worst teams in the table, with just nine goals scored so far. According to the expected goals figure, the Billy Goats should've scored three or four more. Only FC Schalke 04 (four), SC Paderborn (six) and Hamburg and Union Berlin (both seven) found the net less often over the first eight games.

performers

FC have looked solid in defence over the last few weeks. Goalkeeper Schwäbe has picked the ball out of his net just three times in the last five competitive outings, with his own strong performances contributing to that. Köln keep it tight at the back and are yet to concede on the counter this season. What's more, Wagner's men are still unbeaten at home, with three wins and two draws at the RheinEnergieSTADION. Eight of the Billy Goats' nine Bundesliga points have come in front of their own fans.