Last-placed Holstein Kiel are set to host Eintracht Frankfurt at Holstein-Stadion on Sunday in each side's fifth Bundesliga game of the season.
The home side earned their first and only point of the campaign last time out against VfL Bochum on September 21 but are last in 18th place, while the visitors are currently fifth with nine points and beat Borussia Monchengladbach on September 21.
Match preview
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The hosts drew 2-2 against Bochum but would have lost had Shuto Machino not scored an 89th-minute equaliser.
Holstein Kiel had 56% possession, produced four big chances and created nearly two xG, a figure that was more than double that of what Bochum managed.
The Storks lost their previous three league games including 6-1 in their last match against giants Bayern Munich, though it would be harsh to be overly critical of manager Marcel Rapp's side given that they are newly promoted.
To his credit, Rapp's team have performed better than some of their results might suggest, with the club ranking ninth for big chances and 12th for touches in the opposition box.
Holstein Kiel have failed to win any of their four Bundesliga matches this term and have conceded 13 times in those matches, the most in the division.
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Meanwhile, the visitors come into the clash in sterling form having won their last three league games, including 2-0 last time out against Borussia Monchengladbach.
Eintracht Frankfurt had just 33% possession in that win and were arguably fortunate to have not conceded given Borussia Monchengladbach had 16 shots, double that of the Eagles.
The away side drew 3-3 with Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League in their most recent game, and boss Dino Toppmoller will be disappointed with the result considering his team surrendered a 3-1 lead when Viktoria Plzen scored in the 86th minute and 93rd minute.
Toppmoller said that the Eagles were too confident when they went 3-1 ahead in the 67th minute, lamenting their sloppiness and adding that he does not want to see that kind of attitude again.
Eintracht Frankfurt have won four, drawn one and lost one of their six competitive games this season, scoring 13 times and conceding on eight occasions, keeping just one clean sheet.
The Eagles have been poor away from home for some time and have lost seven, drawn four and won just three of their last 14 matches on the road in the Bundesliga.
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Team News
![Mario Gotze in training for Eintracht Frankfurt on August 15, 2024 [on August 17, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/33/mario-gotze.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Mario Gotze in training for Eintracht Frankfurt on August 15, 2024 [on August 17, 2024]")
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The hosts have three injury concerns, with centre-back Colin Kleine-Bekel ruled out until November due to a cruciate ligament injury, and fellow defender Patrick Erras is not scheduled to return until early October.
Forward Alexander Bernhardsson is a doubt for the game as a result of a thigh injury, though he is not yet ruled out.
Holstein Kiel could name an unchanged back three in front of goalkeeper Timon Weiner, so expect Timo Becker, Carl Johanssonn and Max Geschwill to start once again.
As for the visitors, goalkeeper Kevin Trapp could return from a hip injury, though he is still a doubt.
Eintracht Frankfurt will monitor the fitness of both Rasmus Kristensen and Robin Koch with the pair nearing a comeback.
However, midfielders Mehdi Loune and Oscar Hojlund are both unavailable due to a cruciate ligament injury and broken ankle respectively, though Loune may feature once again at the end of October.
Mario Gotze is a doubt due to an illness, and considering this, Ansgar Knauff, Ellyes Skhiri, Hugo Larsson and Fares Chaibi could be selected to start as a midfield four against Holstein Kiel.
Holstein Kiel possible starting lineup:
Weiner; Becker, Johansson, Geschwill; Porath, Knudsen, Holtby, Puchacz; Gigovic, Kelati; Pichler
Eintracht Frankfurt possible starting lineup:
Santos; Kristensen, Tuta, Koch, Theate; Knauff, Shkiri, Larsson, Chaibi; Ekitike, Marmoush
We say: Holstein Kiel 1-2 Eintracht Frankfurt
Considering the strong form of the visitors in recent Bundesliga matches, they should be favourites in Sunday's game.
However, after Eintracht Frankfurt's Europa League exploits last Thursday, it would not be surprising if Holstein Kiel created opportunities due to the away team's fatigue.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
