Taiwo Awoniyi is expected to battle against Nigerian compatriot Kingsley Ehizibue and increase his goal tally in the Bundesliga as Union Berlin welcome FC Cologne in Friday evening’s clash.
Awoniyi, who was not included in the Super Eagles squad that failed to qualify for this year’s World Cup in Qatar, is enjoying a strong season in the Bundesliga and is expected to lead the charge against Ehizibue’s Cologne.
The 24-year-old has netted 11 goals in 24 appearances for Union Berlin in the German topflight this term.
And in his last five games for Union, the former Liverpool forward has found the back of the net two times.
A goal for the Nigerian international will move him to joint sixth on 12 goals in the Bundesliga scorers chart.
For Ehizibue, he has made 11 appearances for Cologne in the current league campaign.
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However, he has featured in just one game In Cologne’s last five fixtures, which was their encounter with Borussia Dortmund before the international break.
And going into Friday’s tie, Awoniyi’s Union Berlin are currently ninth in the Bundesliga table, two points behind Ehizibue’s Cologne who are in seventh-placed.
Union Berlin suffered a 4-0 defeat to Bayern Munich before the international break, and they have only actually won one of their last seven Bundesliga matches, suffering five defeats in the process.
They are still in the top half of the division, though, with 38 points from 27 matches, which has left them in ninth spot, just two points behind their opponents on Friday night.
Union Berlin have been strong in front of their own supporters this season, picking up 25 points from their 13 matches, but they will be taking on a Cologne outfit that have lost just four of their 13 away games this term.
Also, Union Berlin have a busy April, playing five times in the league, including a clash with Hertha Berlin on April 9.
They recorded a 2-1 victory when they welcomed Cologne for the corresponding match last season, although the two teams played out a 2-2 draw in Cologne earlier this term.
Meanwhile, Cologne have only lost one of their last five in the Bundesliga, beating Bayer Leverkusen and drawing with Borussia Dortmund in their last two games.
