Bundesliga Matchday 7 Preview: 1. FC Köln vs Schalke 04
As Matchday 7 of the 2026/27 Bundesliga season approaches, predicted starting lineups for all 18 teams have been released. Among the nine fixtures scheduled, the encounter between 1. FC Köln and Schalke 04 is drawing attention, with both clubs facing notable challenges, particularly concerning player availability.
Köln’s Home Comforts and Injury Woes
1. FC Köln will be looking to leverage their strong home form when they host Schalke. The Billy Goats boast an impressive record against their upcoming opponents, remaining unbeaten in their last eleven games against Schalke. However, their recent away form has been less encouraging, with a 1-0 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in their last Bundesliga away fixture.
The club is currently navigating a difficult period with several key players sidelined due to injury. The list includes forwards Ragnar Ache, Thijs Dallinga, and Imad Rondić, alongside defenders Timo Hübers and Rav Van den Berg, and midfielder Ellyes Skhiri. This extensive injury list means Köln will need to rely on their available squad depth to maintain their strong record against Schalke.
Schalke’s Offensive Struggles and Defensive Strength
Schalke 04 arrives at this fixture in a precarious position, having lost 1-0 to Mainz in their last outing. This marked their fourth game this season without scoring a goal, a statistic compounded by the fact that their frontline is yet to register a goal in the current campaign. Despite these offensive struggles, Schalke’s defence has proven to be a formidable unit, ranking as the fourth strongest in the Bundesliga.
Like their opponents, Schalke is also contending with a significant number of injured players. Captain Kenan Karaman, Dejan Ljubičić, Emil Højlund, Bryan Lasme, Moussa Sylla, Ron Schallenberg, and goalkeeper Johannes Siebeking are all unavailable. Schalke coach Miron Muslić has acknowledged the quality of Köln’s young star, Said El Mala, ahead of the match.
Competition Impact
The stakes are high for Schalke, who currently sit in 15th place in the league table, level on points with 17th-placed Union Berlin. A defeat in this Matchday 7 fixture could see them drop into the bottom three for the first time since the opening matchday of the season, adding extra pressure to their performance against Köln.