2. Bundesliga Preview: Karlsruher SC vs. Holstein Kiel

Karlsruher SC and Holstein Kiel will lock horns on Saturday with both teams aiming to extend the gap between themselves and the relegation zone.

Karlsruher SC

Karlsruhe’s poor form continued with a 5-1 defeat to Nürnberg, resulting in them dropping to 11th place for the first time this season. The early-season promotion hopefuls have only won once since matchday 12.

After winning five of their first six home games of the season, Christian Eichner’s side have only picked up two points from their last four at the BBBank Wildpark. With only four points between them and 16th-placed Magdeburg, they will soon find themselves in the relegation scrap if results do not improve immediately.

Holstein Kiel

Kiel lost three games on the trot for the first time since their relegation from the Bundesliga when Schalke climbed to the top of the standings with a 2-1 win at Holstein-Stadion. Similar to Karlsruhe with their long-serving coach Eichner, they still maintained their trust in Marcel Rapp.

The 46-year-old managed to send the minnows to their first-ever Bundesliga season, but it was a short-lived stay among the top. A 3-0 win in the reverse fixture did extend Kiel’s winning streak in this fixture to five games.  

Predicted Lineups

Karlsruhe: Bernat; Jung, M. Franke, Scholl, Herold; Kwon, Burnic; Pinto Pedrosa, Wanitzek ©; Ben Farhat, Schleusener

Kiel: Krumrey; Nekic, Zec ©, Komenda; Meffert; Rosenboom, Tohumcu, Tolkin; Kelati, Therkelsen; Harres