FC Koln 0-1 Holstein Kiel - Bundesliga Qualification 2020/2021 Statistical Preview

Steffen Baumgart will take over next season as coach, irrespective of what division the Billy Goats are in.
Midfielders Ismail Jakobs and Ellyes Skhiri are available after suspension.
Key forward Sebastian Andersson cannot shake off a knee niggle and may be rested until the second leg.
Florian Kainz is finally over his own knee problems, while former German international Jonas Hector is back to his best after a muscle injury.

Jonas Meffert and Alex Mühling are both ruled out after picking up their fifth yellow at the weekend. Niklas Hauptmann and Benjamin Girth may come into midfield.
Mikkel Kirkeskov is ruled out with a broken hand.
Stefan Thesker is nearing a return from an Achilles problem.
Ahmet Arslan has suffered an ACL injury.

Prediction

Kiel missed two opportunities in their final two games to nail down automatic promotion, losing two thrillers 3-2.
Normally it's the Bundesliga side that prevails over two legs in this playoff, and top-flight Koln will be overjoyed after grabbing a relegation lifeline with a late goal against Schalke at the weekend.
Koln have kept two clean sheets in a row, having waited 16 games before that to do so, the longest such run in the whole league. Koln have failed to score in 11 games this season. Not a good mix and certainly explains why the Billy Goats are haunted by the prospect of relegation.
But experienced coach Friedhelm Funkel has guided Koln to three wins and a draw in six games to get this second chance at staying up.
With away goals counting double, expect a tight affair with no quarter given.