In the second matchweek of the Bundesliga season, newly-promoted Holstein Kiel are set to host Wolfsburg at Holstein-Stadion on Saturday, and each side will be hoping to pick up their first points of the campaign.
The home side lost 3-2 on August 24 against Hoffenheim and are currently 13th in the table, while the visitors are 14th having lost 3-2 against Bayern Munich on August 25 despite taking a 2-1 lead.
Match preview
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While the hosts will be disappointed with their narrow defeat against Hoffenheim, this is their first ever season in the Bundesliga, and they should not be disheartened by their performance.
Though Hoffenheim managed to produce 21 shots, Holstein Kiel were at times quite dangerous and had 17 attempts of their own.
Of the 18 teams in the Bundesliga, they ended the first matchweek with the fifth-highest expected goals figure, as well as the joint most big chances created.
Boss Marcel Rapp has been in charge since October 2021, and though the team were in 15th place in the 2. Bundesliga when he took over, they finished ninth at the end of 2021-22.
Rapp's side won 3-2 against Alemannia Aachen in the first round of the DFB-Pokal on August 17 but needed an 82nd-minute equaliser and a 90th-minute winner from Lasse Rosenboom in order to progress.
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Opponents Wolfsburg come into the clash having nearly taken points from giants Bayern Munich, who were rescued from an embarrassing draw when Serge Gnabry scored an 82nd-minute winner.
The Wolves conceded first in the 20th minute after a goal from Jamal Musiala, but goals from Lovro Majer in the 47th and 55th minute gave them a second-half lead.
While Bayern had 71% possession, Wolfsburg performed admirably without the ball and even managed to produce four big chances, one more than Vincent Kompany's side created.
Head coach Ralph Hasenhuttl praised his team's spirit and said that he knew his side would get chances in the second half because of their good fitness levels and ability to run intensely.
Hasenhuttl's team have lost their last three Bundesliga games, but prior to these matches they won the three previous league fixtures.
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Team News
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Colin Noah Kleine-Bekel and Steven Skrzybski are set to miss out for the hosts due to injury, while Carl Johansson is a doubt and Andu Yobel Kelati is suspended due to his red card against Hoffenheim.
Holstein Kiel could name a similar attack given the amount of chances they created last weekend, so expect Shuto Machino, Benedikt Pichler and Alexander Bernhardsen to start up front.
Wolfsburg have a lengthy list of absentees, including defenders Mathys Angely and Rogerio, as well as midfielders Joakim Maehle, Kevin Paredes and Aster Vranckx.
Forwards Mohamed El Amine Amoura, Bartosz Bialek and Lukas Nmecha are also expected to miss out due to injury.
Holstein Kiel possible starting lineup:
Weiner; Becker, Erras, Ivezic; Porath, Knudsen, Holtby, Puchacz; Machino; Pichler, Bernhardsen
Wolfsburg possible starting lineup:
Grabara; Lacroix, Bornauw, Zesiger; Baku, Svanberg, Arnold, Kaminski; Wimmer, Majer; Wind
We say: Holstein Kiel 2-2 Wolfsburg
Both sides performed well despite their defeats in the opening weekend of the 2024-25 Bundesliga season, and they could both have spells of good attacking play on Saturday.
It would not be surprising if the visitors performed better in the second half should the hosts tire, especially given the fitness levels of Hasenhuttl's team.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
