Friday's Bundesliga predictions including Bayer Leverkusen vs. Koln

B. Leverkusen vs. FC Koln (Friday, 7.30pm)

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Bayer Leverkusen will be looking to continue their pursuit of a top-four position in the Bundesliga table when they welcome FC Koln to BayArena on Friday night.

The home side are currently sixth in the division, eight points behind fourth-placed Freiburg, while Koln sit 11th in the table, boasting 35 points from their 30 league matches during the 2022-23 campaign.

We say: Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 FC Koln

This has the potential to be a tricky match for Leverkusen, but it is difficult to back against the home side here. A win for the Black and Reds would move them to within five points of the top four, and we are expecting them to secure a vital win in Friday night's affair.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

Mainz vs. Schalke (Friday, 7.30pm)

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Mainz 05 host Schalke 04 at the MEWA-Arena in an important Bundesliga clash at both ends of the table on Friday night.

Mainz suffered a blow to their European hopes last week, while Schalke boosted their hopes of survival.

We say: Mainz 05 1-0 Schalke 04

Mainz will be looking for an immediate response after last week's disappointment but may not find it easy against a side fighting for their lives.

There have been just 16 goals in the last 10 meetings between the sides, and Schalke remain the league's lowest scorers so may struggle, especially on the road.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match