DFB Pokal · Round of 32 
Our pick2–1Correct result
Bundesliga positions set the scene as Köln and Union meet again in the DFB Pokal Round of 32
Köln sit above Union in the Bundesliga table and recent meetings between the clubs have been tight, with three of the last five fixtures decided by a single goal. That pattern suggests another narrow cup tie at RheinEnergieStadion.
📍 RheinEnergieStadion
Preview written:
Match report
1. FC Köln beat Union Berlin 5-0 in the DFB Pokal Round of 32. Goals came from Said El Mala (32, assist Linton Maina), Linton Maina (51, assist Said El Mala), Said El Mala again (60, assist Marius Bülter), Ísak Bergmann Jóhannesson (78, assist Marius Bülter) and Sebastian Soraas Sebulonsen (88, assist Reigan Heskey). There were no red cards.
The statistics underline Köln’s dominance: 55% possession, 8 shots on target to Union’s 4 and an xG of 3.04 to 1.10. S. El Mala was the top-rated player with a 9.7. PreviaXI’s pre-match model had predicted a 2-1 win for the home side with 45% home-win, 25% draw and 30% away-win probabilities.
Goals
- 32'Said El Mala · Linton Maina · 1. FC Köln
- 51'Linton Maina · Said El Mala · 1. FC Köln
- 60'Said El Mala · Marius Bülter · 1. FC Köln
- 78'Ísak Bergmann Jóhannesson · Marius Bülter · 1. FC Köln
- 88'Sebastian Soraas Sebulonsen · Reigan Heskey · 1. FC Köln
Cards
- 48'Leopold Querfeld · Union Berlin
- 77'Marin Ljubičić · Union Berlin
- 84'Sebastian Soraas Sebulonsen · 1. FC Köln
- 90'Livan Burcu · Union Berlin
Match stats
⭐ Top-rated player: S. El Mala (1. FC Köln) 9.7
Ratings and statistics: API-Football.
Confirmed lineups
1. FC Köln · 4-2-3-1
- 1M. SchwäbeG
- 17A. Castro-MontesD
- 2J. SchmiedD
- 22Jahmai Simpson-PuseyD
- 3B. SosaD
- 5T. KraußM
- 23Paul Michael Junior Okon-EngstlerM
- 37L. MainaM
- 47M. MooreM
- 10S. El MalaM
- 30M. BülterF
Coach: René Wagner
Union Berlin · 4-2-3-1
- 31M. RaabG
- 19J. HabererD
- 4Z. Van Den BoschD
- 14L. QuerfeldD
- 15T. RotheD
- 13A. SchäferM
- 8R. KhediraM
- 11Jeong Woo-YeongM
- 20M. AebischerM
- 21T. SkarkeM
- 32M. GrayF
Coach: M. Lustrinelli
Match facts
Recent form
Last 5 league games, latest on the right
Goals per game
| · | Scored | Conceded |
|---|---|---|
| 1. FC Köln | 2.0 | 1.0 |
| Union Berlin | 4.0 | 2.0 |
Last meetings
- 2026Union Berlin2-21. FC Köln
- 20251. FC Köln0-1Union Berlin
- 20241. FC Köln3-2Union Berlin
- 2023Union Berlin2-01. FC Köln
- 2023Union Berlin0-01. FC Köln
PreviaXI model
Model confidence: Open game
- Predicted score
- 2-1
- Expected goals (model)
- 1.68 – 1.34
- Double chance
- 12 · 75%1X 70% · X2 55%
- Over 2.5 goals
- 58%Over 1.5: 81% · Over 3.5: 36%
- Both teams score
- 60%
- Clean sheet
- 26% – 19%1. FC Köln–Union Berlin
- Half-time result
- X · 39%1 35% · 2 26%
- Half-time / full-time
- 1/1 · 27%2/2 17% · X/1 15%
- Expected corners
- 10.15.5 – 4.6 · Over 9.5: 55%
- Expected cards
- 4.51.9 – 2.6 · Over 3.5: 64%
- Most likely scores
- 1-112%
- 2-19%
- 1-08%
- 1-27%
- 2-07%
Statistical model based on expected goals (xG), results and match statistics from the last two seasons. For information only. How our model works →
Table pressure and cup stakes
Both clubs head into the DFB Pokal Round of 32 with league form that underlines this tie’s competitive edge. 1. FC Köln sit 12th in the Bundesliga with eight points from seven games, while Union Berlin are 17th with six points. For Köln the cup offers a chance to build momentum at home; for Union it represents an opportunity to arrest a poor league run and lift morale away from the relegation scrap.
Recent form snapshots
Each side comes into the match off a win in their opening domestic fixture this season. Köln’s early-season numbers show they scored twice in their sole away outing and conceded once, while Union have been more prolific in their lone fixture — four goals scored and two conceded. Comparison metrics indicate similar current form, but Köln show a defensive edge while Union lean more toward attacking output.
Meetings say “close game”
Recent head-to-head results underline how tight these encounters have been. The last five competitive meetings include a 2-2 draw (May 2026), a 1-0 Union win at Cologne in December 2025, and a 3-2 home win for Köln in May 2024. Prior fixtures were 2-0 to Union and a 0-0 draw, so three of the last five were decided by a single goal and the others were draws. That pattern points to evenly matched contests where small margins — set pieces, late goals — have determined the outcome.
Tactical implications from recent clashes
Those narrow scorelines suggest both teams are familiar with each other’s strengths and defensive vulnerabilities. Köln have conceded in most recent matches but can score late, while Union have produced higher scoring outputs in isolated games. Expect a tactical cup tie where home advantage and fine margins matter: a compact defensive display from Köln against Union’s more adventurous attacking approach.
Absences and squad notes
There are no absences listed for either side.
Our prediction
PreviaXI’s model favours a home victory and sees a tight, competitive game where Köln’s home edge and a slightly stronger expected chance volume make the difference. Given the recent pattern of one-goal margins and both teams finding the net in several meetings, a 2-1 home win fits the balance between Köln’s defensive solidity at home and Union’s ability to score on the road.
1. FC Köln 2-1 Union Berlin
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