Cologne will lose their most prolific goalscorer at the end of the season as Tim Lemperle will be leaving the club when his contract expires. On Friday, during the pre-match press conference, the club's sporting director Christian Keller explained: "It is correct that Tim has informed us that he wants to leave the club because he wishes to take on a new challenge next season. Until then, he will continue to play for us with full commitment."

"Cologne have developed a lot, and it will be a difficult task. Our fans are well-disposed towards us, which was really noticeable even after the defeat in Darmstadt. We want to produce the appropriate reaction and do better."

"We need to operate at our very best to be able to win at the Betzenbergstadion. Kaiserslautern have shown themselves to be very strong at home. It will be a big test for us. However, we know what it takes to get a win there."

There has not been an away win in this fixture in a total of eight matches in Bundesliga 2. Kaiserslautern have managed two wins and two draws at home.

Overall, Kaiserslautern are unbeaten in five matches against Cologne (two wins, three draws). The last victory for the Billy Goats was on 5 February 2012, winning 1-0 away from home in the Bundesliga.

Now both clubs are playing in the same league for the first time since the 2013/14 season, when they played out two 0-0 draws.

Kaiserslautern and Cologne faced each other in the DFB Cup last season, when the Bundesliga 2 side, Kaiserslautern, defeated the Bundesliga team 3-2 at home in the second round.

Welcome along and thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of this Matchday 17 fixture between 1. FC Kaiserslautern and 1. FC Köln.