Holstein Kiel vs. Heidenheim preview: Hosts still searching for first win

Holstein Kiel

Holstein Kiel have found it difficult to adapt to life in the top flight after winning promotion from the 2.Bundesliga last season. The newly-promoted side have taken just two points from the first eight matches of their first-ever Bundesliga campaign. The most recent of those points was collected on matchday six when they held champions Bayer Leverkusen to a 2-2 draw.

Unfortunately for Kiel, they have been unable to build upon that positive result. Marcel Rapp’s side fell to a 2-0 defeat against Union Berlin, before they lost 2-1 in last Saturday’s away clash with Stuttgart. As a result of their poor form, Kiel are languishing in 17th place with three points separating them from the relegation playoff spot, while they are already five points adrift of safety altogether. 

Kiel experienced more disappointment in midweek as they fell to a heavy 3-0 defeat in their DFB-Pokal game against Köln. They will have to quickly pick themselves up for Saturday’s fixture as they go in search of their first home points of the season, having lost each of their first three home league games.

Team News

The hosts are expected to be without Colin Kleine-Bekel, Andu Kelati and Carl Johansson due to knee issues. Lewis Holtby and Alexander Bernhardsson are also ruled out through injury, while Fiete Arp is suspended after being sent off last weekend.

Heidenheim

Heidenheim have found league wins hard to come by in recent weeks, having won just one of their last six Bundesliga matches (D1, L4). Since beating Mainz at the end of September, Heidenheim have gone on to take just one point from three league matches. They lost consecutive matches against RB Leipzig and Borussia Mönchengladbach, before they played out a goalless draw with Hoffenheim last weekend. That result took Heidenheim onto 10 points, leaving them in 10th spot ahead of matchday nine. 

Like Saturday’s opponents, Frank Schmidt’s side were dumped out of the Pokal by a 2.Bundesliga team in midweek. Stefan Schimmer’s 89th-minute effort ultimately proved to be a mere consolation in a 2-1 defeat to Hertha BSC, leaving Heidenheim to focus on the Bundesliga and the Conference League for the remainder of the campaign.

Heidenheim are now focused on their first meeting with Kiel since cruising to a 3-0 home win in April 2023. While they may have enjoyed success on that occasion, they have failed to win their last three away matches against Kiel (D2, L1).

Team News

The visitors are unable to call upon Thomas Keller and Julian Niehues, while there are also doubts surrounding the availability of Norman Theuerkauf, Sirlord Conteh and Lennard Maloney.