Looking back: Over 10 years since last home defeat
August 2015 was the last time VfB lost a Bundesliga home game against Köln (3-1). Since then, the Cannstatt boys have won three out of five encounters in Stuttgart, with the other two ending in draws. In general, VfB have had the upper hand in this match-up in recent years. They’re unbeaten in the six meetings since May 2022 (W4, D2), including a 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture this season, when Josha Vagnoman and Ermedin Demirovic were on target in Cologne.
Home vs. away record: MHP Arena fortress
VfB have lost just one of their 10 Bundesliga home matches this season (a 5-0 reverse against Bayern Munich), winning seven and drawing two. With 23 points gained on home soil, Sebastian Hoeneß’s men have already collected as many as in the whole of the 2024/25 campaign.
Köln, on the other hand, are winless in six away games in the league (D2, L4). Their last victory on the road was a 1-0 success at TSG Hoffenheim on Matchday 6.
Goals: No more than three goals for eight years
There have been 308 goals in the 97 Bundesliga encounters between VfB and Köln, which equals an average of 3.18 goals per game. Not since April 2018 have over three goals been scored in the fixture though, when a Mario Gomez brace and an Andreas Beck strike earned Stuttgart a 3-2 win.
However, goalless draws have been a frequent occurrence in the past. Since the turn of the millennium, six matches have ended 0-0, including three in a row between July 2001 and October 2003.
Team news: Tiago Tomas has comeback in sights
Jeff Chabot has been assured a start against his former club. Tiago Tomás is also available again following his muscular injury.
On the other hand, Angelo Stiller is doubtful because of a cold, while Nikolas Nartey, Dan-Axel Zagadou and Lazar Jovanovic remain sidelined.
Attendance: Full house
Saturday evening’s match is sold out.
