Borussia Dortmund v Köln Betting Tips [19 August 2023]

Borussia Dortmund begin their 2023-24 German Bundesliga campaign with a home game against FC Koln. Dortmund finished in second place last season but a home win over Mainz in their final fixture would have won them the title. They only drew so begin another season hoping to be champions for the first time since the 2011-12 season. The summer transfer has seen them lose Jude Bellingham to Real Madrid. Two central midfielders have been signed, namely Felix Nmecha from Wolfsburg and Bayern Munich's Marcel Sabitzer. A high goalscorer would be handy for Dortmund. No player got to double figures for them in the 2022-23 Bundesliga season.   Haller and Malen have both been scoring in preseason though. Haller netted twice in the 6-1 German Cup win at Schott Mainz last week. Home form has seen Dortmund win 13 of their last 15 Bundesliga games with the other two drawn.

FC Koln were unbeaten in preseason and their first competitive fixture was a 3-1 win at Osnabruck. They needed extra time to win that German Cup tie. Last season saw them finish 11th in the German Bundesliga. They were eight points behind the final European place and nine above the relegation play-off position. Dortmund won't need reminding that it was Koln conceding an 89th minute goal in their final league fixture that won Bayern Munich the title. FC Koln only won four away games in the Bundesliga last season, drawing seven and losing six. March of this year saw them lose 6-1 at Dortmund. We go for a home win here.