Holstein Kiel vs Hoffenheim Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Following their promotion to the top-flight, Holstein Kiel have endured a struggle this season as they remain in the bottom two and the automatic relegation places but they enjoyed a famous win in midweek as they now prepare to take on a struggling Hoffenheim side this weekend.
Kick-off date/time: Saturday 18th 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+
Holstein Kiel Team News: Holtby suspension
Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Lewis Holtby came off the bench against Borussia Dortmund in midweek before being shown a straight red card and he is now suspended.
As well as the absence of Holtby, Holstein Kiel do have some key injury issues such as defensive duo Marvin Schulz and Colin Kleine-Bekel as well as forward Steven Skrzybski.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Weiner; Becker, Zec, Komenda; Rosenboom, Remberg, Knudsen, Porath; Bernhardsson, Machino; Harres
Unavailable: Kleine-Bekel (Injured), Schulz (Injured), Erras (Concussion), Holtby (Suspended), Skrzybski (Injured)
Questionable:
Hoffenheim Team News: Defensive midfield issues
Hoffenheim are dealing with a couple of injury issues in defensive midfield as Austria international Florian Grillitsch is sidelined alongside Diadie Samassekou.
Turkey international and former Liverpool centre-back Ozan Kabak is also sidelined alongside experienced men such as Grischa Promel and Marius Bulter.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Baumann; Gendrey, Chaves, Akpoguma, Nsoki; Bischof, Prass; Geiger, Hlozek, Kramaric; Yadimci
Unavailable: Kabak (Injured), Promel (Injured), Samassekou (Injured), Grillitsch (Injured), Bulter (Injured), Tohumcu (Injured), Bebou (Injured)
Questionable:
Holstein Kiel vs Hoffenheim Prediction
Holstein Kiel have struggled throughout the campaign but they defeated Borussia Dortmund by four goals to two in midweek. They went 3-0 up in that game before Dortmund fought back but a strike by former Bayern Munich youngster Jann-Fiete Arp notched very late on to secure all three points. They now face a Hoffenheim side that appointed Sturm Graz boss Christian Ilzer during the November international break but they have been extremely underwhelming ever since as they languish down in the relegation playoff place ahead of this weekend’s round of fixtures. They are still to win since his appointment and a high-scoring affair between two desperate sides seems quite a good bet for this one.
Holstein Kiel vs Hoffenheim Tip: Both teams to score
