DID YOU KNOW?
* Koeln have not won against Bayer Leverkusen for an astonishing 14 years!
* The last time the Billy Goats won against the Aspirins was in a 4-0 rout in season 1996-97.
* Koln were on an eight-game winning run at home before their capitulation to Stuttgart two Bundesliga rounds ago.
* The Billy Goats have scored just thrice in their last 10 meetings with Bayer Leverkusen, with two of these goals coming this season. Before that game the last goalscorer for Koln against the Aspirins was Marcus Kurth in November 2001
* Bayer Leverkusen have won six of their last seven games in the Bundesliga.
* Jupp Heynckes' men have picked up more points on the road this season than at home
* In season 2001-02 Leverkusen had the identical last three fixture to those which leaders Dortmund have in store now. They had a five-point lead over BVB, but still lost the title to them.
* Bayer Leverkusen have scored nine goals from corner-kicks this season in the Bundesliga.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Koln (4-2-3-1)
Rensing; Andrezinho, Geromel, Mohamad, Eichner; Lanig, Petit; Chihi, Jajalo, Podolski; Novakovic
Volker Finke took over Koln from Frank Schafer only two days ago and is set for a jump right into the frying pan with a tough debut game against Bayer Leverkusen. Luckily for him, he has a nearly full-strength squad to choose from with the exceptions of Slawomir Pezsko, Simon Terodde and Christopher Schorch, who are all recovering from injuries. Koln captain Lukas Podolski returns from suspension and is likely to line up alongside Adil Chihi and Mato Jajalo in a trio supporting Milivoje Novakovic upfront in a 4-2-3-1 system.
Bayer Leverkusen (4-2-3-1)
Adler; Balitsch, Schwaab, Reinartz, Kadlec; Bender; Vidal, Sam, Ballack, Renato Augusto; Derdiyok
Jupp Heynckes has a full-strength squad at his disposal for the clash on Saturday, and will be looking for the three points, bearing in mind that his team still has a very slim chance of winning the Bundesliga. Bayer Leverkusen are likely to field a double pivot of Lars Bender and Arturo Vidal, and an attacking trident of Sindey Sam, Michael Ballack and Renato Augusto supporting either Eren Derdiyok or Stefan Kiessling.
Prediction
Koln have been remarkable at home recently, barring the defeat to Stuttgart, but the death threats to players by fans are hardly going to help the Billy Goats. Lukas Podolski returns from suspension and is likely to score, but Bayer Leverkusen will most probably have too much for the hosts on Saturday.
FC Köln 1-2 Leverkusen 
