Bayer Leverkusen vs Holstein Kiel preview: Champions to get back to winning ways?
Bayer Leverkusen
Leverkusen currently sit fourth with 10 points, having drawn 1-1 in a tense match against Bayern München on September 28.
In their draw with Bayern, Xabi Alonso's side saw only 31% possession, managed less than 0.1 expected goals (x/G), and failed to create any significant chances. Alonso praised his team’s discipline under pressure despite Bayern’s dominance throughout the game.
Leverkusen bounced back with a 1-0 win over AC Milan in their recent Champions League outing, with Victor Boniface scoring the decisive goal in the 51st minute. This victory marked their fourth win in five matches since their 3-2 defeat to RB Leipzig on August 31. During this run, they’ve scored 14 goals and conceded five.
Leverkusen have also been strong at home, winning 23, drawing four, and losing just one of their last 28 matches at BayArena. However, they have only managed three wins in their last six home games, with two draws and one loss.
Team News
Alonso's side has no significant injury concerns, with the Spaniard likely able to choose from a fully fit squad. Defenders Edmond Tapsoba, Jonathan Tah, and Piero Hincapie, who have started five of the last six games together, are expected to feature again.
Exequiel Palacios has been sidelined for much of the season thus far. However, the Argentine returned as a substitute against AC Milan and may start in midfield on Saturday, replacing Aleix Garcia.
Amine Adli, Florian Wirtz, and Victor Boniface, all of whom were substituted in the Milan game, are expected to start up front.
Holstein Kiel
Newly promoted Holstein Kiel have struggled thus far in their inaugural Bundesliga campaign. With four losses in their five league games, they appear to be on the verge of a relegation fight unless their form improves. In their most recent defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt, they offered little in attack while facing eight major scoring chances.
Holstein Kiel's only point this season came from a 2-2 draw with VfL Bochum on September 21, the only game in which they have taken the lead. So far, Marcel Rapp’s side has conceded 17 goals— the worst in the division—while scoring seven, the fourth fewest.
In their two away fixtures this season, Kiel have scored four times and conceded five, managing one loss and one draw. However, they had won six consecutive competitive away matches prior to this Bundesliga campaign.
Team News
Kiel, centre-back Colin Kleine-Bekel and attacking midfielder Andu Yobel Kelati will remain out until November, while Patrick Erras and Carl Johansson are also sidelined until mid-October.
Marco Komenda will likely join Timo Becker and Max Geschwill in a back three, while Lewis Holtby, Magnus Knudsen, and Armin Gigovic could form the midfield behind forwards Benedikt Pichler and Shuto Machino.