Holstein Kiel vs RB Leipzig Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Both Holstein Kiel and RB Leipzig come into this match having lost each of their last two fixtures in the Bundesliga, adding an extra layer of importance to the result.
Kick-off date/time: Saturday 7th December 2024: 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 Preview: Stuck on five points.
Holstein Kiel are looking to snap a run of three successive losses, which has left them entrenched inside the automatic relegation places. Only Bochum have conceded more goals than Holstein’s 31 in total, whereas they have scored just 13 goals themselves, winning only one of their 12 league matches.
It’s been a disaster recently from a defensive perspective and they come into this encounter having shipped three goals in back-to-back games. It’s certainly hard to see them keeping a clean sheet over the course of this one.
RB Leipzig Preview: Clinging on to top four spot
Marco Rose must be under pressure at RB Leipzig following a rotten run of results in the Bundesliga. Of the last 12 points available to them, Leipzig have taken just one and have also lost five of their most recent seven games in all competitions. However, victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in the DFB-Pokal has at least earned them some rest-bite.
Injuries have played a part in their struggles with one of their most reliable creative outlets missing in Xavi Simons, not to mention dynamic full-back David Raum who offers a huge amount to this team at both ends of the pitch.
Holstein Kiel Team News: Erras out with concussion, Schulz ill.
Centre-back Marvin Schulz will need to be assessed ahead of this encounter having been ill across the week. Should he not be passed fit, Schulz will join Becker, Erras and Kleine-Bekel in being unavailable for selection.
Predicted XI (3-5-2): Weiner; Ivezic, Johansson, Geschwill; Becker, Holtby, Knudsen, Remberg, Puchacz; Skrzybski, Harres
Unavailable: Becker (Injured), Erras (Injured), Kleine-Bekel (Injured)
Questionable: Schulz (Illness)
RB Leipzig Team News: Large injury list continues to affect Leipzig
RB Leipzig remain without several injured players, including Xavi Simons (ankle ligament) and Yussuf Poulsen (thigh problem). Centre-back Castillo Lukeba has also joined the list of absentees, having suffered a thigh injury of his own.
Predicted XI (4-2-2-2): Gulacsi; Geertruida, Klostermann, Orban, Henrichs; Baumgartner, Vermeeren; Kampl, Nusa; Sesko, Openda
Unavailable: Bitshiabu (Injured), Lukeba (Injured), Elmas (Injured), Ouedraogo (Injured), Poulsen (Injured), Raum (Injured), Simons (Injured)
Questionable:
Holstein Kiel vs RB Leipzig Prediction
Two teams at opposite ends of the table but suffering through a similar vein of form. RB Leipzig boasts the stronger team despite their injury concerns, but confidence is low and at home, Holstein Kiel would be right to sense a big opportunity. With both clubs desperate for three points, we could see an entertaining contest as each deploy an overly attacking style of play. Therefore, consider backing both teams to score.
Holstein Kiel vs RB Leipzig Tip: Both teams to score
