Bayer Leverkusen striker Javier Hernández. (Photo : Getty Images)
Middling club FC Cologne (8-10-10, 34 points) is slated to take on the challenge of fifth-running squad Bayer 04 Leverkusen (13-9-6, 45 points) in a 2015-2016 Bundesliga season encounter at the RheinEnergieStadion this April 10th, Sunday.
Cologne has dropped to the 11th spot of the league table after its recent poor performances as the team has only managed one win in its last six matches.
The Billy Goats settled for a 1-1 draw with lowly club TSG 1899 Hoffenheim on the road at the Wirsol Rhein-Neckar-Arena last Sunday to bounce back from the sorry 0-1 loss to defending champions Bayern Munich in the previous matchday, as per Skysports.
The two teams were unable to score any goals in the first 69 minutes of the contest until Cologne striker Simon Zoller broke the deadlock with a left-footed shot from the center box off an assist from defender Jonas Hector.
It looked like a won game for manager Peter Stöger's boys as the full time whistle was blown, but the hosts were able to equalize right in injury time via a goal from Die Kraichgauer forward Kevin Volland to salvage a share of a point with Cologne in the overall standings.
Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen demolished last season's runner-up finisher VfL Wolfsburg, 3-0, at the BayArena last Friday, April 1st, as reported by Goal.
Midfielder Julian Brandt scored the opening goal for head coach Roger Schmidt's side at the 27th minute to give Bayer a 1-0 lead at the half.
The Leverkusen residents continued with their stingy defense in the second half as they also poured in two more goals late in the game, courtesy of Mexican striker Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez and Ukrainian winger Vladlen Yurchenko at the 73rd and 87th minutes to complete the team's three-goal haul.
It was the third consecutive win for Bayer as they are now tied on points with current fourth-placers Borussia Monchengladbach, who are leading them by six goal differential points.
The predicted result is a 3-1 victory for Bayer Leverkusen.
Cologne starting lineup (4-1-4-1 formation): Horn; Risse, Maroh, Heintz, Hector; Lehmann; Zoller, Bittencourt, Vogt, Gerhardt; Modeste
Bayer Leverkusen starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Leno; Jedvaj, Tah, Ramalho, Wendell; Bender, Kramer; Bellarabi, Calhanoglu, Brandt; Hernandez
