Köln should have more of the ball, with Union narrowing the middle and waiting for a direct break or a restart. The first goal will force the trailing side to change its shape. Köln have shown they can keep supplying chances after taking a lead, while Union's league defence can make the last pass difficult. The quality of the final shot matters more here than the volume of attacks.
Krauß, Maina and El Mala can accelerate into the wide spaces; Köln put eight cup attempts on target despite the established absences of Ache and Dallinga. Union still lack Ilic, who missed that match, and recently managed no shots on target against Dortmund and one at Augsburg. Seven of Union's cup attempts were blocked before reaching Schwäbe.
Union can attack through Skarke or a Haberer and Querfeld restart, while Köln's own attack has also stalled against a compact block. Across those paths, I expect one side's last touch to fail more often than the opening move suggests. That's why I'm siding with at least one team finishing scoreless in Köln–Union.
