Strasbourg have usable attacking players, but their recent possession has produced uneven access to good shooting positions. Frosinone and Torino bring a different balance, with repeated home deliveries meeting a functioning visiting outlet after recoveries. Union and Köln return to a matchup where the speed of the first forward pass has already mattered more than possession alone.
Auxerre's Danois, Faivre and Namaso combined across changing score states at Le Havre, while Sy and Archer supplied a separate rebound route against Le Mans. Those connections reach the wide recovery and next-ball areas Strasbourg have recently struggled to defend. Strasbourg's Yassine, Reyna and Harder retain a route of their own, making a competitive game the central picture.
Auxerre's three regular centre-backs are doubts after completing the previous match, rather than three confirmed absences. Strasbourg still lack Panichelli; Godo has returned to action, while Nanasi and Doukoure remain less settled options. I expect the visitors' attacking spine to give them a way to answer home pressure. That's why I'm siding with Auxerre to stay close, allowing for a narrow home win.
Frosinone can repeatedly send Ghedjemis toward Torino's changing left flank, then find Schmid, Raimondo or a supporting midfielder. Kvernadze stretches the other side and Bîrligea has already continued the finishing from the bench. Torino retain Belghali's delivery and the Adams–Simeone receiving options against a home side that has continued to concede meaningful chances during its scoring run.
Grillitsch's absence was already present when Frosinone's attack functioned against Lecce. Torino remain without Mandragora, while Patterson has already replaced the doubtful Cacciamani and Ilkhan has resumed useful involvement. The projected attacking roles preserve supply on each side, including after substitutions and changes in the score. I'm backing a sustained scoring game here.
Köln's Krauß, Maina, Bülter and El Mala retain the recovery-to-runner connection that opened the cup meeting with Union. That route was working before the late goals widened the score. Union's restarts and direct runners keep the contest active, making the next clearance and midfield covering distance central to the rematch.
Köln's absence list is unchanged from that cup game, so its functioning attacking core remains intact. Union cannot use Uduokhai's league marking role because he is suspended, while Rønnow is expected to return in goal. I expect Köln's quick forward receptions to remain their clearest advantage as the teams settle into the game. That's why I'm siding with Köln, with protection for a level finish.
