The last 9 meetings between the sides averaged 2.7 goals per game. The sides last met on 25 September 2011; the match ended Köln 2-0 Hoffenheim. Before that they met on 19 February 2011, with the match ending Hoffenheim 1-1 Köln. In the head-to-head, Köln are unbeaten in the last 4 meetings.
Hoffenheim were without Valentin Gendrey (sprained ankle) through injury. Köln were without Timo Hübers (jumper's knee), Ragnar Ache (muscle bruise), Luca Kilian (jumper's knee), and Tom Krauß (jumper's knee) through injury.