Borussia Dortmund vs Holstein Kiel Preview: Team News & Prediction

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Borussia Dortmund are pushing for a top four finish and UEFA Champions League qualification this season as they take on now already relegated Holstein Kiel at the Westfalenstadion.

Kick-off date/time: 17 May 2025 at 2:30 pm

How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports OR Not televised / US – Some matches will be televised on ESPN channels so it is worth checking their schedules

How to watch online: UK – Sky Go OR Cannot be streamed / US – ESPN+

Borussia Dortmund preview: Dortmund’s push for UCL

Ever since the appointment of former Bayern Munich boss Niko Kovac, Borussia Dortmund have been much-improved as they propel themselves from the bottom-half of the table to an excellent position to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for next season.

Due to the fact that third and fourth, Freiburg and Eintracht Frankfurt, are facing each other; Dortmund know that if they win by more than one goal then they are guaranteed a top four finish in this season’s Bundesliga table.

Holstein Kiel preview: Already relegated

Last weekend, Holstein Kiel had their bottom two finish and automatic relegation to the 2. Bundesliga confirmed following their promotion to the top-flight last season. They have done so with the worst defensive record in the league, conceding 77 goals in their 33 games.

They had shown some fight of late but it came too late as they now come into this one on the back of a 2-1 loss at home to Freiburg in a game in which they did take the lead at Holstein-Stadion.

Borussia Dortmund team news: Gross suspended

Former Brighton and Hove Albion and Ingolstadt midfielder Pascal Gross is unavailable for Borussia Dortmund’s final day visit of Holstein Kiel due to suspension. Germany international attacker Maximilian Beier is also a doubt due to an ankle injury. 

Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Kobel; Sule, Anton, Bensebaini; Ryerson, Ozcan, Nmecha, Svensson; Brandt, Adeyemi; Guirassy

Unavailable: Schlotterbeck (Injured), Gross (Suspended)

Questionable: Beier (Injured)

Holstein Kiel team news: Gigovic suspended

Bosnia-Herzegovina international midfielder and key man for Holstein Kiel Armin Gigovic is unavailable due to suspension for this weekend’s trip to the Westfalenstadion. They also still have several injury absentees such as Colin Kleine-Bekel and Marco Komenda. 

Predicted XI (3-4-1-2): Dahne; Becker, Johansson, Zec; Rosenboom, Remberg, Holtby, Tolkin; Skrzybski; Bernhardsson, Machino

Unavailable: Kleine-Bekel (Injured), Kelati (Injured), Nekic (Injured), Erras (Concussion)), Komenda (Injured), Gigovic (Suspended)

Questionable: QUESTIONABLE PLAYERS HERE

Borussia Dortmund vs Holstein Kiel prediction

Borussia Dortmund come into this one on the back of an impressive 4-2 defeat of Bayer Leverkusen at the BayArena last weekend. That means they have now suffered just one defeat in their last nine matches across all competitions as they chase a top four finish. They are a club that have made a habit of blowing the big moment. Holstein Kiel are already relegated but providing a scare to Dortmund would be typical for the hosts, even if Kovac’s side should still get themselves over the line.

Borussia Dortmund vs Holstein Kiel tip: Borussia Dortmund to win & both teams to score