Hoffenheim vs. Holstein Kiel preview: Team news and predicted lineups
| Photo: TSG Hoffenheim |
Hoffenheim
It's been a chaotic summer for TSG Hoffenheim, who have made some major structural changes, including the sacking of long-serving managing director Alexander Rosen.
They've lost arguably their best player from last season, Maximilian Beier, who has signed for Borussia Dortmund and has been replaced by Adam Hlozek from Bayer Leverkusen.
They've also brought in left-sided midfielder Alexander Prass, while they continue to look for defensive reinforcements after Oumar Solet and Armel Bella-Kotchap both failed medicals.
Die Kraichgauer almost suffered a shock DFB-Pokal exit at the weekend, but came through on penalties against Würzburger Kickers.
They now face newly-promoted Holstein Kiel at home in a game they'll be expecting to win.
Team News
Bebou (knee), Becker (knee), Bischof (ankle), John (knee), Jurásek (arm), Kabak (knee) are not available for Hoffenheim. Tohumcu (thigh) is doubtful.
Holstein Kiel
Saturday is a big day for Holstein Kiel, who travel to TSG Hoffenheim for their first-ever Bundesliga game.
Marcel Rapp's side, who finished second in the 2. Bundesliga last season, have not enjoyed the best of build-ups, losing their last three pre-season games before narrowly beating Alemannia Aachen 3-2 in the DFB-Pokal.
Holstein Kiel will have to manage without last season's captain Philipp Sander, who has joined Gladbach, while the likes of Armin Gigovic and Tymotheusz Puchasz have been brought in to strengthen the squad.
Team News
Kleine-Bekel (knee), Skrzybski (calf) have been ruled out, while Johansson (back) is questionable.
Click here to see our predicted Hoffenheim vs. Holstein Kiel lineups.
