Fighting for precious points as the race to beat the drop intensifies, Holstein Kiel will host fellow strugglers Hoffenheim in gameweek 18 of the 2024-25 Bundesliga season at the Holstein-Stadion.
Both sides, currently mired in the relegation scrap, will go into Saturday's fixture fighting to secure much-needed points in their respective bids to preserve their top-flight status.
Match preview
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Second-bottom in the Bundesliga table with a dismal 11 points, Holstein Kiel face the arduous task of beating the drop this season, with the Storks enduring a torrid season, registering a meagre three wins, two draws and 12 losses in 17 Bundesliga exertions this term.
The home side started the season in unimpressive fashion, winless in their first eight matches (two draws and six losses); however, they ended their inability to secure a win courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Heidenheim at the Holstein-Stadion on November 2.
The Kiel-based team appeared to have found the winning edge with that victory, but another five-game winless streak soon followed, deepening their woes.
Although Marcel Rapp's team did manage to wrap up 2024 with a comprehensive 5-1 victory over Augsburg, they could not keep up the momentum, falling to yet another league defeat against Freiburg (3-2) in their penultimate league outing, after which they claimed a famous 4-2 victory over former champions, Borussia Dortmund.
While the victory in their last outing will serve as a huge morale-booster, it remains to be seen if the Storks are going to make it back-to-back victories for the first time this season against Hoffenheim – who are yet to secure a victory on the road this term.
A win on Saturday may not be enough to completely take them out of the relegation zone, but it will certainly be helpful in their quest to remain in the elite division next season.
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Hoffenheim, meanwhile, are currently on a six-match winless streak in the Bundesliga, with their last three league outings ending in losses against Borussia Monchengladbach (2-1), Wolfsburg (1-0) and Bayern Munich (5-0).
In a bid to stem the rot at the club, Pellegrino Matarazzo was relieved of his duties, paving the way for the appointment of Christian Ilzer on November 15.
The Austrian started his tenure on a bright note, guiding his team to a 4-3 victory over RB Leipzig in gameweek 11 – their first win since a 3-1 triumph over fellow strugglers, Bochum, on October 19.
The visiting side are winless on the road this term, but despite the grim outlook, the away side still have a distinct edge in their travels against promoted teams.
The Kraichgauer have won their last five league games away at promoted sides, a feat which is currently the joint-longest such streak in the German top division.
A loss at the Holstein-Stadion on Saturday will extend their losing streak to four games for the first time since September 29 and most certainly compound their relegation woes.
However, the dismal defensive record of the hosts at home leaves the door ajar for the desperate visitors.
Team News
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Marcel Rapp will be without the services of midfielder Lewis Holtby, who was handed his marching orders against Borussia Dortmund in their last league outing.
Colin Kleine-Bekel (knee), Marvin Schulz (muscle), Steven Skrzybski (Achilles tendon) and Patrick Erras (concussion) are all unavailable for this fixture.
However, Shuto Machino and Phil Harres, both of whom have seven goal involvements each, should be part of the attacking three alongside Alexander Bernhardsson.
Similarly, the visitors also have a long list of absentees for Saturday's fixture at the Holstein-Stadion.
Ihlas Bebou will sit out this fixture due to a knee injury, and so will Ozan Kabak and Grischa Promel, while Christopher Lenz will miss out due to a calf injury.
Pavel Kaderabek is suspended for this game due to the accumulation of yellow cards, while Umut Tohumcu is sidelined with an ankle injury.
Holstein Kiel possible starting lineup:
Weiner; Komenda, Zec, Becker; Porath, Knudsen, Remberg, Rosenboom; Machino, Bernhardsson; Harres
Hoffenheim possible starting lineup:
Baumann; Arthur Chaves, Akpoguma, Nsoki, Gendrey; Geiger, Samassekou; Bischof, Hlozek, Kramaric; Yardimci
We say: Holstein Kiel 1-2 Hoffenheim
While Hoffenheim are yet to record a win on the road this season, their stellar record against newly-promoted teams in their travels – as well as the leaky defence of the hosts at home – stands them in good stead to claim their first victory away from home this term.
Therefore, we reckon the visitors will register a 2-1 victory – their first away win of the season at the Holstein-Stadion.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
