Cologne v Hamburg: Bundesliga 2 betting preview, tip & TV details

TV: BT Sport 1, 7.30pm Monday

Bundesliga 2 matches don't come any bigger than Cologne against Hamburg with both sides desperate for a swift return to Germany's top flight following last season's relegation.

Cologne are looking a safer bet in that regard. They lead the league by seven points from Hamburg and are a further couple ahead of Union Berlin, with two sides going up automatically.

A win over Hamburg would mean it's almost carnival time in Cologne and the hosts should oblige for odds-on backers.

Cologne's sequence of six straight victories came to an end on Wednesday in a thrilling 4-4 draw at Duisburg, but it was a contest that highlighted the attacking qualities of Markus Anfang's squad.

• Bundesliga 2 standings

Dominick Draxler took his assist contribution to 15 for the season, setting up top scorer Simon Terodde for one of the Cologne goals, and Anfang's side will be a major threat from dead-ball situations having scored 17 set-piece goals this term.

Hamburg have been hapless defending set-pieces, conceding 15 goals from them, and they also have personnel problems.

Leading hitman Pierre-Michel Lasogga is rated doubtful and midfielder Lewis Holtby is suspended.

Recommendation
Cologne -0.75 on Asian handicap
1pt 10-11 RedZone

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