With the battle for survival in the Bundesliga entering its final weeks, relegation-threatened Holstein Kiel will hope to collect three points against visitors Werder Bremen on Saturday at Holstein-Stadion.
Holstein Kiel were beaten 3-1 by Heidenheim on March 16 and the result left them last in 18th place with just 17 points, while 12th-placed Werder Bremen have 33 points and lost 4-2 against Borussia Monchengladbach on March 15.
Match preview
The only big chance that the hosts’ created against Heidenheim came in the 87th minute, and it was also the 10th time that they had conceded at least two goals in their last 11 matches.
However, Holstein Kiel have at least continued to pose a threat in the final third given they scored four goals in their past three, and their record of 38 goals in the Bundesliga is the best return amongst teams in the bottom six.
Die Storche’s situation is dire given the club occupy one of two automatic relegation spots and are three points from 16th-placed VfL Bochum, who occupy the league’s relegation playoff spot, but they are already eight points from 15th-placed St Pauli.
Marcel Rapp‘s side come into the clash in poor form, with his team failing to win eight of their past nine, succumbing to defeat on five occasions.
Holstein Kiel are also winless in four matches at home – drawing two and losing two – and conceding nine goals in that time.
Meanwhile, Werder Bremen will be surprised that they lost against Borussia Monchengladbach considering they created six big chances compared to the victors’ three.
The visitors’ vulnerability at the back is concerning given they have had to pick the ball out of the back of the net 19 times in their last seven matches.
Head coach Ole Werner did earn a 2-1 victory in his previous meeting with Holstein Kiel on November 9, and he should be praised for managing to restrict his opponents to 12 low-quality attempts that totalled just 0.6 xG.
The Green-Whites’ form is poor, with the club having lost six of their seven most recent fixtures, and they only triumphed in one of their prior five, losing two.
Fans will also be concerned by their side’s record away from home as while Werder Bremen beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 in their last match on the road on March 8, they were defeated in four and were held to a stalemate in one of their previous five away games.
Team News
Holstein Kiel are facing somewhat of an injury crisis in the backline considering centre-backs Colin Kleine-Bekel, Ivan Nekic and Patrick Erras have been ruled out.
With so many absences in central defence, Rapp may be forced to start Timo Becker, David Zec and Marco Komenda in a back three.
Elsewhere, attacking midfielder Andu Yobel Kelati‘s knee injury is likely to keep him out of action until late May, so expect Magnus Knudsen, Nicolai Remberg and Armin Gigovic to support strikers Steven Skrzybski and Shuto Machino.
Opponents Werder Bremen will not be able to select centre-back Milos Veljkovic as a result of a concussion, and his absence may lead to Niklas Stark, Marco Friedl and Anthony Jung starting in defence.
Striker Andre Silva is likely to be supported by Romano Schmid and Marvin Ducksch given Justin Njinmah is not scheduled to return until early April.
Senne Lynen and Jens Stage have frequently partnered each other in midfield, and there is no reason to suggest that they will not be paired together on the weekend.
Holstein Kiel possible starting lineup:
Weiner; Becker, Zec, Komenda; Porath, Knudsen, Remberg, Gigovic, Tolkin; Skrzybski, Machino
Werder Bremen possible starting lineup:
Zetterer; Stark, Friedl, Jung; Weiser, Lynen, Stage, Agu; Schmid, Ducksch; Silva
We say: Holstein Kiel 2-1 Werder Bremen
Holstein Kiel will believe that they can take advantage of Werder Bremen’s vulnerability at the back and boost their chances of survival.
Though the hosts have room for improvement at home, the visitors’ form is poor and they may suffer yet another defeat.
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