Leipzig to kick on at Cologne

RB Leipzig have started 2023 in the same positive manner as they finished 2022 and their unbeaten run can extend to 17 with a victory over mid-table Cologne at the RheinEnergieStadion on Saturday.

Marco Rose’s side have taken 19 points from their last seven Bundesliga matches to take them to within two points of leaders Bayern Munich.

Leipzig are emerging as the biggest threat to Bayern’s title defence and they can pass a potentially tricky test against Cologne, who have taken five points from their last three matches.

Cologne were 7-1 winners against Werder Bremen in their last home encounter, but they are 13 points below Leipzig and there should be a noticeable gap in class this weekend.

Relegation-threatened Bochum have won their last four Bundesliga home games and they look overpriced to topple out-of-sorts Hoffenheim at the Ruhrstadion.

Thomas Letsch’s thirdbottom side lost 5-2 at Mainz last Saturday but are a different proposition at home and can pile on the pain for Hoffenheim, who have gone eight league games without a victory.