**Köln are looking red-hot in preseason, while Real Sociedad just got battered by Toulouse** — this friendly at the RheinEnergieStadion should be a fun litmus test for both sides tuning up for the real campaign. 🔴

Köln's blowing opponents away (8-0 demolition, 5-0 romp), though they did slip to a 2-2 draw vs Hertha. Sociedad are chasing form — wins over Aston Villa and Wolves look great, but that loss to Toulouse stings, and missing **Á. Odriozola** to injury won't help their backline.

Key storylines:

- **R. Ache and M. Oyarzabal** lead the line for teams desperate to sharpen their finishing before the season kicks off
- Köln's midfield trio of **S. El Mala**, **Í. B. Jóhannesson**, and **M. Bülter** will face Real Sociedad's creative engine with **L. Sučić** and **T. Kubo** running the show
- Real Sociedad's defense, already stretched by Odriozola's absence, meets a Köln side oozing confidence from their last few games

Expected lineups:

- **1. FC Köln**: M. Schwäbe, S. Sebulonsen, J. Simpson-Pusey, J. Schmied, R. v. d. Berg, S. El Mala, Í. B. Jóhannesson, M. Bülter, A. Castro-Montes, L. Waldschmidt, R. Ache
- **Real Sociedad**: Á. Remiro, S. Gómez, J. Martin, I. Zubeldia, J. Aramburu, B. Turrientes, J. Gorrotxategi, A. Barrenetxea, L. Sučić, T. Kubo, M. Oyarzabal

Prediction:

**Köln 2–1 Real Sociedad**. Home form and momentum give the hosts a slight edge in this one.