A victory for Holstein Kiel on Sunday at Holstein-Stadion against VfL Bochum could see them climb out of the Bundesliga's automatic relegation zone.
Holstein Kiel are second last in 17th place with 12 points and were beaten 4-3 by Bayern Munich on February 1, while Bochum are last with two points fewer and lost 1-0 against Freiburg last Saturday.
Match preview
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The hosts trailed Bayern 4-0 by the time they scored their first goal in the 62nd minute, and though they netted another two in second-half stoppage time, they will feel they should have capitalised on at least one of the three big chances they created in the first half.
Boss Marcel Rapp will be alarmed by his side's defensive frailty in recent weeks given the club have conceded 19 times in their last seven outings.
However, the Storks are only two points from 16th-placed Heidenheim, who occupy the league's relegation playoff spot, and the six-point gap to 15th-placed Hoffenheim is by no means insurmountable.
Rapp's side have been beaten in eight of their past 11 games, though it should be noted that they have at least won one and drawn two of their past three.
Holstein Kiel have also triumphed in two of their three most recent home fixtures, and their tally of 10 goals in those three games was as many as they managed in their prior 10 outings at Holstein-Stadion.
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Opponents VfL Bochum failed to create a big chance against Freiburg while facing five, though both teams were able to hit the woodwork.
Sunday's visitors were held to a 2-2 draw by the Storks in their previous cash on September 21, with Shuto Machino netting an 89th-minute equaliser.
Head coach Dieter Hecking has been in charge since November 9, and his side have scored eight times since his appointment and conceded 15 goals, failing to score on six occasions.
Die Blauen have lost their last two Bundesliga games, but to their credit they did draw two and win two of their prior five.
Hecking will hope that his side can overcome their poor away record given they have failed to win on the road this season, succumbing to defeat in 10 of their 11 away outings.
Team News
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The home team will be unable to start centre-backs Colin Kleine-Beckel and Patrick Erras, who are out until late February, while central defender Carl Johansson is not scheduled to return until early March.
Timo Becker, David Zec and Marco Komenda are likely to be selected in a back three, and the trio could be protected by midfielders Magnus Knudsen and Nicolai Remberg.
Given that forward Alexander Bernhardsson is still out as a result of a ligament injury, Finn Porath and Steven Skrzybski can be expected to play behind striker Phil Harres.
Meanwhile, Bochum midfielder Ibrahima Sissoko received a yellow card last time out and is suspended as he has accumulated too many bookings, making Matus Bero and Tom Krauss the most probable duo to feature together on Sunday.
However, winger Koji Miyoshi may miss out on action until March due to a calf injury, so perhaps Myron Boadu and Gerrit Holtmann will flank Philipp Hofmann.
Holstein Kiel possible starting lineup:
Weiner; Becker, Zec, Komenda; Rosenboom, Knudsen, Remberg, Tolkin; Porath, Skrzybski; Harres
VfL Bochum possible starting lineup:
Drewes; Oermann, Ordets, Bernardo; Passlack, Bero, Krauss, Wittek; Boadu, Hofmann, Holtmann
We say: Holstein Kiel 2-1 VfL Bochum
Despite Bochum's improved form of late, it is hard to ignore the fact they have been so easily beaten on the road this season.
Additionally, Holstein Kiel have been stronger at home in recent weeks, and their improved exploits in the final third should make them favourites on Sunday.
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Lewis Nolan
