Ian Maatsen is expected to start in successive games when Borussia Dortmund travel to Köln for their Bundesliga clash on Saturday afternoon. Kick-off at the RheinEnergieStadion is 15:30 local time.
Edin Terzić is expected to make one change coming into the game. Ill at the start of the year, Mats Hummels is expected to return in central defence alongside Nico Schlotterbeck, with Emre Can reverting back into midfield and Salih Özcan dropping to the bench. Should Hummels fail to make the squad at short notice, Niklas Süle may return.
Donyell Malen is also firmly in Terzić’s plans despite the arrival of Jadon Sancho. The Dutchman has started Dortmund’s last three Bundesliga games and is again expected to retain his place in the starting eleven. Just like their 3-0 win against Darmstadt last weekend, Sancho will remain an option from the bench, while Marco Reus missed training on Thursday afternoon.
Karim Adeyemi is absent with an ankle injury, Ramy Bensebaini and Sébastien Haller are representing their country at the Africa Cup of Nations while Felix Nmecha remains sidelined with a hip injury. Gio Reyna, who has been in the headlines this week with a potential departure on the cards, also finds a place in the Dortmund bench.
Predicted Borussia Dortmund XI vs FC Köln
Gregor Kobel – Thomas Meunier, Mats Hummels, Nico Schlotterbeck, Ian Maatsen – Emre Can, Marcel Sabitzer – Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, Julian Brandt, Donyell Malen – Niclas Füllkrug.
