Leverkusen vs FC Köln | Bundesliga Preview & Betting Tips | 13 Dec 2025

This fixture always carries extra edge, and the timing makes it even spicier. Leverkusen come into this one needing a response after some mixed league results, while Köln would happily take anything that keeps them ticking along mid-table.

The BayArena should be bouncing for a derby, with the home crowd expecting control and front-foot football. Köln will travel in good numbers too, knowing this is the sort of game where effort and organisation can level the playing field.

Expect Leverkusen to dominate the ball and push the tempo, while Köln are more likely to sit compact, look to nick moments on the break and stay competitive for as long as possible.

Leverkusen average close to 59% possession and over 14 shots per game, showing how comfortable they are camped in the opposition half. They tend to score more after the break, with 55% of goals coming in the second half as pressure builds.

Köln are far more reactive. With under 48% average possession, they rely on physical work-rate and quick transitions. Defensively they face a steady stream of shots, and conceding first often forces them into open games they’d rather avoid.

Leverkusen’s last ten games read: five wins, one draw and four defeats. They’ve scored 22 goals and conceded 15, keeping clean sheets just under a quarter of the time. Performances have been strong in spells, but consistency has been the issue.

Köln over the same period have managed two wins, three draws and five defeats. Sixteen goals scored, seventeen conceded, and only two clean sheets. They’ve been competitive in most games, but margins have often gone against them.

Leverkusen at home remain dangerous, averaging over two goals per game and generally controlling territory. They do concede chances, but they tend to outscore problems rather than shut games down.

Köln away from home have been patchy, picking up a couple of decent results but often conceding late when pressure ramps up. Staying compact early will be crucial.

Leverkusen consistently generate higher-quality chances, while Köln tend to allow slightly more than they create.

The last five meetings have mostly favoured Leverkusen, including a 3–2 cup win earlier this year and a comfortable 3–0 league victory at the BayArena. Köln did nick one away win in 2023, but generally this fixture has leaned red and black.

Köln can make this awkward for spells, but Leverkusen’s attacking depth and home edge should tell over 90 minutes.

Prediction: Leverkusen 2–1 FC Köln

Main pick: Leverkusen to win – stronger attack and home advantage in a derby they usually control.

Value angle: Both teams to score – both sides average over 1.5 goals scored per game.