The big picture

Schalke 04 come in 17th on the ladder with 6 points; FC Cologne are 15th on 9. Only a couple of spots separate them, so there is plenty riding on it.

Schalke 04 are 1–4–3 in Bundesliga 2026-27, averaging 0.5 goals for and 1.1 against.

FC Cologne are 2–3–3 in Bundesliga 2026-27, averaging 1.1 goals for and 1.5 against.

Form

Schalke 04 have won zero of their last five and most recently lost to RB Leipzig 0–2.

FC Cologne have won one of their last five and most recently drew with 1. FC Union Berlin 1–1.

Head to head

These sides have met 27 times on our records since 2003: Schalke 04 9, FC Cologne 10, 8 drawn.

Last time out (2026-27), it was a draw 0–0 at RheinEnergieStadion.

Biggest margin between these two: Schalke 04 by 4 goals in 2011-12 (5–1).

Players to watch

For Schalke 04, watch Kenan Karaman (0.2 goals a game in 2026-27) and Robin Gosens (0.1 goals a game in 2026-27).

For FC Cologne, watch Said El Mala (0.3 goals a game in 2026-27) and Thijs Dallinga (0.7 goals a game in 2026-27).

Milestone watch

Robin Gosens is 1 goals short of 50 for their career.

At Veltins Arena

Schalke 04 have won 5 of their last 20 at Veltins Arena.

The deeper numbers

Schalke 04 haven't beaten FC Cologne at Veltins Arena since 2011-12: 7 meetings there since then.

What the numbers say

On form, ladder and history, FC Cologne have the edge.