Freiburg vs Holstein Kiel Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Freiburg have been impressive since the departure of long-term boss Christian Streich as they begin the restart of the Bundesliga with a home game against struggling Holstein Kiel.
Kick-off date/time: Saturday 11th January, 2025: UK – 2:30pm / US ET – 9:30am / US PT – 6:30am
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Some matches will be televised on ESPN channels so it is worth checking their schedules
How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – ESPN+
Freiburg Preview: Overperforming once again
As mentioned, Christian Streich departed Freiburg after over a decade in the summer and was replaced by Julian Schuster with a regression expected but they remain in the top-half and in contention for a possible top eight finish and European qualification.
The Baden-Wurttemberg-based club come into this one on the back of a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of defending champions Bayer Leverkusen at BayArena a few weeks ago. They have now managed just two victories in their last eight matches across all competitions.
Holstein Kiel Preview: Destined for a return to the second-tier
Following their promotion to the top-flight last season, Holstein Kiel have endured a miserable campaign in the Bundesliga. The visitors begin the restart sitting firmly inside the bottom two and the automatic relegation places with just eight points collected in their 15 matches.
Former Hoffenheim caretaker boss Marcel Rapp remains in charge with the club backing him after they headed into the winter break on the back of an impressive 5-1 demolition of underperforming Augsburg a few weeks ago.
Freiburg Team News: Couple of doubts
Freiburg are dealing with a couple of injury doubts for this weekend’s visit of Holstein Kiel but there are no fresh injury concerns. Goalkeeper Florian Muller remains a doubt alongside Daniel-Kofi Kyereh.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Atubolu; Kubler, Ginter, Lienhart, Gunter; Osterhage, Eggestein; Doan, Holer, Grifo; Gregoritsch
Unavailable:
Questionable: Muller (Injured), Kyereh (Injured)
Holstein Kiel Team News: A few doubts
Key midfielder Patrick Erras remains a doubt for this weekend due to concussion as Holstein Kiel also deal with several injury doubts such as Timo Becker, Carl Johansson, Colin Kleine-Bekel and Marvin Schulz.
Predicted XI (3-4-1-2): Weiner; Ivezic, Geschwill, Komenda; Rosenboom, Gigovic, Remberg, Porath; Bernhardsson; Harres, Machino
Unavailable:
Questionable: Becker (Injured), Johansson (Injured), Kleine-Bekel (Injured), Schulz (Injured), Erras (Concussion)
Freiburg vs Holstein Kiel Prediction
Freiburg are in a good position to challenge for European qualification but their top-half position perhaps flatters them at the moment after nearly two months of underperformance and poor results. However, they get their Bundesliga season back underway against a very average Holstein Kiel side that are destined for the second-tier and Freiburg are expected to win this one quite comfortably, especially with their home advantage.
Freiburg vs Holstein Kiel Tip: Freiburg to win
