1. FC Köln vs FC Schalke 04
Köln and Schalke settle for stalemate
A goalless draw defies expectations in a tight Bundesliga clash
FC Köln and FC Schalke 04 played out a 0-0 draw in the Bundesliga, with neither side able to break the deadlock. This result came as a surprise, defying Fipster's high-confidence prediction of a 3-1 home win. Both teams will rue missed chances in a match that ultimately lacked the goals many anticipated.
Outcome probability
As the Bundesliga regular season unfolds, 1. FC Köln and FC Schalke 04 face off in a match that promises goals and tactical intrigue. Köln, sitting 11th with 7 points, look to leverage their home advantage against Schalke, who are 14th with 5 points.
Match factors
Köln's attacking trio in strong form
Dallinga and El Mala lead Köln's scoring with strong home form, likely to exploit Schalke's defense
Superior assist potential from Köln midfield
Skhiri and Maina provide creative edge with 2 assists each, enhancing goal chances
Schalke's key attacker doubtful
Ljubičić's doubtful status reduces Schalke's attacking options and scoring probability
Lochoshvili's passing aids Köln's build-up
Lochoshvili's 91% passing accuracy and high volume supports Köln's attacking transitions
The context
Both teams have had mixed starts to the season. Köln have shown flashes of attacking prowess, particularly at home, while Schalke have struggled to find consistency. This fixture in the regular season's seventh round could be pivotal for both sides aiming to climb the table.
Key insights
Thijs Dallinga
1. FC Köln
Dallinga’s scoring rate of 0.67 goals per game and strong home form make him a key threat against Schalke.
Bundesliga 26/272 goals in 3 appearances, 3 goals in last 3 home matches
Ellyes Skhiri
1. FC Köln
Skhiri’s 2 assists and set-piece duties provide Köln with a creative edge in midfield.
Bundesliga 26/272 assists in 5 appearances, 0.4 assists/game
Linton Maina
1. FC Köln
Maina’s creativity and 2 assists bolster Köln’s attacking options at home.
Bundesliga 26/272 assists in 5 appearances, 0.4 assists/game
- D
Dejan Ljubičić
FC Schalke 04
Ljubičić’s doubtful status limits Schalke’s attacking threat in this fixture.
- L
L. Lochoshvili
1. FC Köln
Lochoshvili’s 91% passing accuracy supports Köln’s build-up play and attacking transitions.
Bundesliga 26/2791% passing accuracy, high average passes per game
Analysis
The statistical edge lies with Köln, who boast a dominant 88% probability of winning this match, with the most likely scoreline being 3-1. Their attacking trio, led by Thijs Dallinga, who has netted 2 goals in 3 games and scored in each of the last three home matches, is expected to exploit Schalke's defensive vulnerabilities. Midfielders Ellyes Skhiri and Linton Maina provide creative support with 2 assists each, enhancing Köln's goal threat. Schalke's attacking options are hampered by the doubtful status of Dejan Ljubičić, reducing their offensive potency. Defensively, Köln's Lochoshvili's impressive 91% passing accuracy aids their build-up play, while Schalke's Hasan Kuruçay remains a key defensive figure.
Key facts
- 1.1. FC Köln are ranked 11th with 7 points from 6 games (W2 D1 L3).
- 2.FC Schalke 04 are ranked 14th with 5 points from 5 games (W1 D2 L2).
- 3.Home win outcomes have an 88% probability for this fixture.
- 4.Most probable fulltime scoreline is 3-1 in favour of Köln.
- 5.Halftime score prediction is 1-0 to Köln.
- 6.Four total cards are expected during the match.
- 7.Thijs Dallinga has scored 2 goals in 3 appearances this season.
- 8.Ellyes Skhiri and Linton Maina each have 2 assists in 5 games.
Prediction
Expect Köln to take an early lead, reflected in the predicted 1-0 halftime score, before extending their advantage to a 3-1 fulltime victory. The match is also likely to see around four cards, indicating a competitive but controlled encounter.
Player Insights
Standout players Fipster expects to impact the match — curated highlights, not full squad lists
Home — 1. FC Köln
Away — FC Schalke 04
No standout top scorers flagged for FC Schalke 04
The verdict
In summary, 1. FC Köln's superior attacking form and home advantage should see them comfortably overcome FC Schalke 04. Schalke will need to overcome injury doubts and tighten their defence to challenge Köln's expected dominance.
Prediction generated 17 Oct 2026, 15:31 UTC · Fipster Model v1.164
Form as the teams went into this match — excludes this result and anything since.
Team Comparison
Season shape — attack, defence, form, clean sheets & win rate
Home vs Away comparison
Goal difference in each of the last few fixtures — above the line is a net win, below is a net loss
Season comparison
Goals scored & conceded, goal difference and clean sheets across the season
Halftime Performance
What each side does once the whistle goes for half time
Streaks
Recent-form runs — each side’s most-recent game meets in the middle
Head to Head
Gosens
El-Faouzi
Krauß
Yellow Card
Moore
Dina Ebimbe
Yellow Card
El Mala
Krauß
Lochoshvili
Yellow Card
Becker
Yellow Card
Kuruçay
Yellow Card
Maina
Lochoshvili
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Bayern München | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0 | +19 | 18 |
| 11 |  1899 Hoffenheim | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | -2 | 9 |
| 12 |  1. FC Köln | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | -3 | 9 |
| 13 |  SC Paderborn 07 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | -3 | 9 |
| 16 |  Union Berlin | 8 | 1 | 4 | 3 | -12 | 7 |
| 17 |  FC Schalke 04 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -5 | 6 |
| 18 |  Borussia Mönchengladbach | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | -11 | 4 |
Match Statistics
1. FC Köln
4-2-3-1Starting XI
- 1M. SchwäbeG
- 3B. SosaD
- 5T. KraußM
- 8Í. Bergmann JóhannessonM
- 10S. El MalaM
- 22Jahmai Simpson-PuseyD
- 24L. LochoshviliD
- 28S. SebulonsenD
- 30M. BülterF
- 37L. MainaM
- 47M. MooreM
Substitutes
- 2J. SchmiedD
- 7L. WaldschmidtF
- 11Reigan HeskeyF
- 14G. MensahD
- 17A. Castro-MontesM
- 20R. ZielerG
- 23Paul Michael Junior Okon-EngstlerM
- 29J. ThielmannM
FC Schalke 04
3-4-2-1Starting XI
- 1L. KariusG
- 4H. KuruçayD
- 5T. BeckerD
- 7Hwang Hee-ChanF
- 8R. GosensM
- 13S. TanakaM
- 20J. AdamuM
- 23S. El-FaouziM
- 24A. AouchicheM
- 25N. KatićD
- 29J. Dina EbimbeM
Substitutes
- 10E. DžekoF
- 11B. LasmeF
- 14J. BachmannM
- 22K. MüllerG
- 27F. PorathM
- 33Vitalie BeckerD
- 38L. VozarM
- 43M. AyhanD
1. FC Köln
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Í. Bergmann Jóhannesson | M | 90 | 7.2 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — |
| L. Lochoshvili | D | 90 | 7.1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/1 |
| M. Schwäbe | G | 90 | 7.1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Jahmai Simpson-Pusey | D | 90 | 7.0 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0/1 |
| S. Sebulonsen | D | 90 | 6.7 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — |
| M. Bülter | F | 90 | 6.7 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | — |
| L. Waldschmidt | F | 22 | 6.6 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| L. Maina | M | 90 | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1/4 |
| T. Krauß | M | 80 | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0/1 |
| B. Sosa | D | 90 | 6.4 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2/3 |
| M. Moore | M | 68 | 6.4 | — | — | 3 | — | — | 4/5 |
| Reigan Heskey | F | 10 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | — | 0/4 |
| Paul Michael Junior Okon-Engstler | M | 10 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| S. El Mala | M | 80 | 6.1 | — | — | 5 | 1 | — | 1/8 |
| J. Thielmann | M | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| A. Castro-Montes | M | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| G. Mensah | D | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| R. Zieler | G | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| J. Schmied | D | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
FC Schalke 04
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L. Karius | G | 90 | 8.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| T. Becker | D | 90 | 7.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| R. Gosens | M | 43 | 6.8 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — |
| S. El-Faouzi | M | 43 | 6.6 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 0/1 |
| A. Aouchiche | M | 90 | 6.6 | — | — | 1 | — | 3 | — |
| S. Tanaka | M | 90 | 6.5 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 2/3 |
| Hwang Hee-Chan | F | 90 | 6.4 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 3/3 |
| N. Katić | D | 90 | 6.4 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Vitalie Becker | D | 47 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/1 |
| J. Adamu | M | 90 | 6.2 | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1/2 |
| J. Dina Ebimbe | M | 90 | 6.2 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 0/2 |
| J. Bachmann | M | 47 | 6.1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| H. Kuruçay | D | 90 | 5.9 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/1 |
| F. Porath | M | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| K. Müller | G | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| B. Lasme | F | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| E. Džeko | F | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| L. Vozar | M | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| M. Ayhan | D | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Prediction Q&A
- Who did Fipster predict to win 1. FC Köln vs FC Schalke 04?
- Fipster's AI model predicted 1. FC Köln to win against FC Schalke 04.
- What score did Fipster predict for 1. FC Köln vs FC Schalke 04?
- Fipster predicted a final score of 1. FC Köln 3–1 FC Schalke 04.
- What were the win probabilities for 1. FC Köln vs FC Schalke 04?
- Fipster's model gave 1. FC Köln a 95% chance of winning, FC Schalke 04 a 2% chance, and a 3% chance of a draw.
- How confident was Fipster in this prediction?
- Fipster's model assigned this prediction 95% confidence — a high-confidence call.