1. FC Koln v 1. FC Kaiserslautern Prediction and Betting Tip - Odds, H2H and Preview Predictions

1. FC Koln vs 1. FC Kaiserslautern Preview

There may only be one game remaining in the German second division, but that isn't to say, by any means, that the dust has settled throughout the divison.

Promotion, relegation, and even the final destination of the league title are all still to be confirmed as we approach the final day of the 2. Bundesliga, and two sides well within some of those fights will do battle this Sunday, as FC Koln play hosts to Kaiserslautern.

Key Statistics

• There is still plenty to play for on the final day, with a win for Koln potentially enough to crown them as champions
• Kaiserslautern will be in no mood to roll over for them, however, as a win for them and some luck from outside results could see them enter the promotion playoff
• Koln currently sit 2nd in the table, one point behind Hamburger SV who travel to lowly Greuther Furth on the final day. A win for Koln and anything less than a win for HSV will see Koln win the league on Sunday
• Kaiserslautern will also need other results to go their way, should they spoil the party for Koln on Sunday. Paderborn, Fortuna Dusseldorf and Elversberg all sit between them and the playoff spot. A Kaiserslautern win, and a loss for those three teams, will see them enter the playoff

FC Koln Preview

Predicted Starting Lineup: Schwabe; Gazibegovic, Hubers, Heintz, Paqarada, Martel, Huseinbasic, Waldschmidt, Thielmann, Kainz, Lemperle

Though they will need a slip-up from a HSV side that has scored 10 goals in it's previous two games (both wins), Koln will be going all out in this one. Not only because they may walk away from Sunday as the league champions, but also because a loss for The Billy Goats and wins for Elversberg and Paderborn could see them denied of promotion entirely, due to matching points and inferior goal difference.

As such, Koln will be putting it all on the line to get the job done against Kaiserslautern, though it won't be a simple task with their visitors having slimmer promotion hopes of their own.

Koln's form has been as mixed as it can possibly be, with two wins, two draws and two losses from their last six games, in a rather unsettlingly perfect chronolgical order of win, loss, draw twice repeated. If that's anything to go by (which it probably isn't), then Koln would be in line to lose this one.

Travelling or hosting fixtures appears to make little impact on proceedings for Koln, with Friedhelm Funkel's side winning just 2 points less at home than they have away. One thing is for certain, and that is that this is a must-win game for Sundays hosts.

FC Kaiserslautern Preview

Predicted Starting Lineup: Krahl; Elvedi, Sirch, Heuer, Zimmer, Redondo, Kaloc, Ritter, Yokota, Hanslik, Klement

Just as much as this game is a must-win for the hosts, the visitors aspirations for this fixture are no different in terms of personal importance.

Whilst there are more outside permutations that will channel Kaiserslautern's hopes of reaching the playoff match, their number one priority will be controlling what they can themselves, by that meaning a victory against Koln on Sunday.

They will need Fortuna Dusseldorf to either draw or lose in their game against Magdeburg on the final day, whilst also needing Elversberg and Paderborn to lose their games against Schalke and Karlsruher, respectively, outright in order to leapfrog all three sides and qualify for the playoff match.

If Kaiserslautern are to defeat Koln on the final day, and all of those permutations go their way to qualify for the playoff match, it will prove as a relief as well for Koln themselves, as those fellow losses will see them secure automatic promotion. If Kaiserslautern win, a win for for Elversberg will see the Billy Goats drop into the playoff match. If Paderborn win as well in this scenario, it will be them who enter the playoff match instead, meaning both Koln and Kaiserslautern will stay in the 2. Bundesliga for 25/26.

Still following? All you need to know, is that this is a massive, massive tie for both teams involved. Koln could win the title entirely just as easily as they could miss out on promotion entirely, whilst Kaiserslautern will be hoping to rescue their own ambitions of top-flight football at the last breath.

Where to Watch

You can catch this titanic occasion on Sky Sports Football on YouTube. Kick off is this Sunday, 18/5/25, at 2:30PM UK time.

FC Koln vs FC Kaiserslautern Betting Tip

With plenty on the line here, expect this to be a tense and nervous affair. Both teams have far too much at stake to go all-guns-blazing, especially Koln, who's bid to sneak in and win the title could just as easily see them miss out entirely on promotion.

As such, our expert tipsters are backing that the game will be level at half-time. You can get that market at odds of 2.63 over at QuinnBet, meaning a £10 stake returns £26.30!

FC Koln vs FC Kaiserslautern Prediction

Though the stakes are high, we expect the winners of this tie to be the hosts. It may not win them the league, but their solidity over the season has been fantastic to get them into this chance, and they will do what they can to take it. Our prediction is a 2-0 win for the hosts, with both goals coming in the second half, in line with our tip.