ESSEN (Interstat) — Essen will seek its first victory of the season Sunday when it hosts Köln at Sportpark Am Hallo in a matchup of teams still finding their footing early in the campaign. Essen enters with an 0-2 record, while Köln sits at 1-1.

Essen has opened with two losses, both by double digits. The team fell 118-74 at Heidelberg in its most recent game after dropping an 81-67 home decision to Crailsheim. The defensive issues have been pronounced, with Essen allowing 118 points in its latest outing and struggling to keep pace on the offensive end. A return home at Sportpark Am Hallo gives Essen a chance to reset and compete in front of its own crowd.

Köln has shown flashes of promise but also inconsistency. Köln opened with an 83-80 road win at Gottingen before falling 90-73 at Paderborn in its most recent game. The loss at Paderborn marked a step back after a solid first performance, as Köln could not match Paderborn’s scoring runs. Köln will try to tighten its defense and find more balance as the visiting team.

The game brings together two sides with different early-season trajectories. Essen is still searching for its first win and will lean on home energy to spark a stronger start. Köln is aiming to avoid a second straight loss and return to .500. Both teams will look to establish tempo, protect the ball and limit easy baskets. Essen’s home support could be a factor as it tries to snap its skid.

Köln’s upcoming schedule includes games against Bremerhaven, Giessen, Bayreuth, Nürnberger BC, OrangeAcademy, Artland, Crailsheim, Koblenz, Wolmirstedt and Kirchheim. Essen’s future opponents include PS Karlsruhe, Bremerhaven, Kirchheim, Wolmirstedt, OrangeAcademy, Gottingen, Giessen, Tubingen, Bochum and Nürnberger BC. The teams will continue a crowded stretch after the game Sunday, but immediate attention remains on the matchup at Sportpark Am Hallo.

Essen will try to use its home floor to secure a breakthrough victory, while Köln hopes to leave with a road win and even its record. The contest could hinge on which team handles early adversity better and whether Essen can slow Köln’s transition attack. With both programs eager to build momentum, the game Sunday at Sportpark Am Hallo offers an important early test. Both teams have room to improve on defense, and the first quarter could set the tone for the rest of the contest.

Interstat’s game simulator projects Essen to defeat Köln 81-72. The simulation points to a nine-point margin for Essen. The model favors the home team in the final score prediction.