Holstein Kiel vs Hoffenheim preview: Relegation scrap heats up | OneFootball

Holstein Kiel

Holstein Kiel’s season got off to a rocky start, going winless in their first eight matches (two draws and six losses). They finally broke their drought with a 1-0 victory over Heidenheim at the Holstein-Stadion on November 2.

Although that win hinted at a potential turnaround, the Storks soon slipped into another five-game winless streak, further compounding their struggles. Marcel Rapp’s side did finish 2024 on a high note with a commanding 5-1 victory over Augsburg, but they failed to maintain that momentum, suffering a 3-2 defeat to Freiburg in their next match.

However, Kiel stunned the league with a thrilling 4-2 win against Borussia Dortmund in their most recent outing. That morale-boosting victory has reignited hope for the Storks, though the challenge now is to secure back-to-back wins for the first time this season as they face Hoffenheim, a team still searching for their first away victory of the campaign.

While a win on Saturday may not entirely lift Kiel out of the relegation zone, it would be a crucial step in their battle to retain their Bundesliga status for another season.

Team News

Kiel will be without midfielder Lewis Holtby, who was sent off in their previous league match against Borussia Dortmund. Marcel Rapp's side is further hampered by injuries, with Colin Kleine-Bekel (knee), Marvin Schulz (muscle), Steven Skrzybski (Achilles tendon), and Patrick Erras (concussion) all ruled out.

Despite these setbacks, Shuto Machino and Phil Harres, each boasting seven goal involvements this season, are expected to feature in the attacking trio alongside Alexander Bernhardsson.

Hoffenheim

In an effort to halt the club's decline, Pellegrino Matarazzo was dismissed, making way for Christian Ilzer, who took charge on November 15. The Austrian manager began his tenure positively, leading his side to a thrilling 4-3 win over RB Leipzig in gameweek 11, their first victory since a 3-1 success against fellow strugglers Bochum on October 19.

Hoffenheim remain winless on the road this season, but they do hold a notable advantage when visiting newly promoted sides. Die Kraichgauer have emerged victorious in their last five Bundesliga away matches against promoted teams, a streak that is currently the joint-longest of its kind in the league.

Failure to secure a result at the Holstein-Stadion on Saturday would extend Hoffenheim's losing streak to four games for the first time since September 29, further deepening their relegation troubles.

Nonetheless, Holstein Kiel’s leaky home defence offers a glimmer of hope for the struggling visitors, who will be desperate to capitalize on any weaknesses to avoid another setback.

Team News

The visitors also face a host of absentees for Saturday's clash at the Holstein-Stadion. Ihlas Bebou (knee), Ozan Kabak, and Grischa Prömel are unavailable, while Christopher Lenz is sidelined with a calf injury. Additionally, Pavel Kaderabek is suspended due to yellow card accumulation, and Umut Tohumcu is out with an ankle injury.