Darmstadt v FC Koln

Darmstadt vs FC Cologne Preview

The Friday night game in the German Bundesliga features this clash between two teams occupying places in the lower reaches of the division as fourth from bottom hosts, Darmstadt, entertain bottom placed side, Cologne, when the two teams meet at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor with a precious three points up for grabs for both teams.

Darmstadt sit just above the relegation play-off spot in the German top flight table and success has been in short supply for the hosts as they have managed to capture just two wins throughout this season's campaign to date, which have been wins against Werder Bremen 4-2 and Augsburg 2-1 but they have also been handed seven defeats within their opening 12 league matches as well.

Indeed, Darmstadt have managed to record just one home win so far this term but losses at their Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor to the likes of Union Berlin 4-1, RB Leipzig 3-1 and a 2-1 loss to Bochum have ensured the hosts have remained in the lower reaches of the table.

The goals market appeals though as five of Darmstadt's six home games have resulted in Over 2.5 goals (83%) and further goals look likely here on Friday night.

FC Cologne sit bottom of the Bundesliga table with just six points under their belts and they find themselves three points adrift of safety ahead of this Friday night encounter at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor, following a 1-0 defeat at home to Bayern Munich last time out.

Cologne's win ratio has been even worse than Darmstadt's so far in this Bundesliga campaign as the visitors have managed to muster just the single victory to date which came in the shape of a 3-1 home win against Borussia M'gladbach but otherwise there's been very little for the Cologne fans to cheer about.

Eight defeats within their opening 12 league matches has landed Cologne in early relegation trouble and four defeats on their travels and just two draws suggest a straight win for the visitors on Friday night would seem highly unlikely.

Losses on the road at Borussia Dortmund 1-0, Werder Bremen 2-1, Bayer Leverkusen and a 6-0 thrashing at the hands of RB Leipzig do not bode well but the goals market looks promising as three of Cologne's six away games have also resulted in Over 2.5 goals (50%).

Darmstadt v FC Cologne Verdict

Both Darmstadt and FC Cologne have struggled for results so far in this season's Bundesliga campaign and therefore both sides find themselves battling against relegation even at this early stage of the domestic top flight season.

Despite a lack of form though on both sides, goals have featured on a prominent basis and this trend looks set to continue on Friday night.

Therefore, our main bet will be Over 2.5 goals @ 1.80

Other side bets worth considering:

Draw @ 3.40

Correct Score: 2-2 @ 12.00