Traditionally, when Union face 1. FC Köln, the numbers speak for themselves. They have a better record against no other current Bundesliga team, with eight wins, two draws, and only one defeat. For Köln, union are a bogey-team.

And yet, Köln are a little more resilient than the numbers suggest. Although the Rhinelanders have been waiting for a win in eleven away games, Former Union co-coach René Wagner's side have recently showed some real comeback qualities. Köln have now managed to secure a point away after falling behind, three times in a row. 

The recent setback against Leverkusen ended a run of five games unbeaten, but Köln remain particularly dangerous late-on in the game. Nineteen goals in the final quarter of an hour mean is the fourth best in the league. 13 goals have been scored by their substitutes, led by Luca Waldschmidt.

There In the 19 competitive matches so far between the two clubs, Union have emerged victorious nine times, three times the points were shared, and six were won by Köln. The last match remains memorable for many Union fans when, four days before Christmas, András Schäfer scored a 91st minute winner.

Dominique Heintz will face a reunion with old companions. The 32-year-old center-back was under contract with Union from January 2022 to August 2023, including a loan spell in Bochum. Marius Bülter is also returning to his former workplace, having worn the Union shirt between 2019 and 2021.

Union will also meet another familiar name on the touchline. René Wagner, formerly an assistant coach at Union, has joined Köln in a similar role in summer 2025 and took over the role of head coach for the first time following the dismissal of Lukas Kwasniok. Conversely, Union's director of men's professional football, Horst Heldt, was sporting director at Köln from 2019 to 2021.

Marie-Louise Eta and her staff will have to do without the services of Frederik Rönnow, Matheo Raab, and David Preu due to injury on Saturday.

“In every Bundesliga match, you feel pressure, but at this stage of the season, it is naturally even greater," said Union head coach, Marie-Louise Eta, ahead of Saturday's game. "It will be crucial that we act wisely and keep a cool head in order to take an important step in front of our fans and to keep our season finale in our own hands. We are fully aware that Köln are arriving with the same goal and will invest everything. All the more, we look forward to an intense, gripping duel from which we want to emerge as winners.” 

Meanwhile, FC Köln coach René Wagner said, “Last year, I experienced first-hand in Berlin the power this team can generate. That is why I am certain that Marie-Louise Eta will focus on this strength on Saturday as well. However, we are fully concentrating on ourselves. Against Leverkusen, we showed a strong performance, even though we ended up empty-handed. Now we are facing a different opponent in Union, who plays directly forward and wants to win many second balls. Our goal is to consistently implement our plan with the ball.”