Holstein Kiel vs Augsburg Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Newly-promoted Holstein Kiel look set for a swift return to 2. Bundesliga after just one win in their opening 14 matches ahead of facing another struggling side in Augsburg this weekend.
Kick-off date/time: Saturday 21st December, 2024: UK – 2:30pm / US ET – 9:30am / US PT – 6:30am
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Some matches will be televised on ESPN channels so it is worth checking their schedules
How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – ESPN+
Holstein Kiel Preview: Tough life in the top-flight
Following their promotion to the top-flight of German football last season, Holstein Kiel have endured a miserable few months as they seem destined for a returned to the second-tier with just five points collected in their opening 14 matches of the campaign.
The home team most recently suffered a 4-1 annihilation at the hands of Borussia Monchengladbach at Borussia-Park in their most recent outing last weekend thanks to a brace from Alassane Plea as well as goals from Tim Kleindienst and Robin Hack.
Augsburg Preview: Trying to push away
In what has been an entertaining start to the 2024/25 Bundesliga campaign, there has been a combined total of 43 goals in Augsburg’s 14 matches so far this season. They are six points above the bottom three and the relegation playoff places ahead of this weekend.
They were most recently beaten 2-0 by Bayer Leverkusen last weekend at home thanks to first-half goals from Martin Terrier and Florian Wirtz. That means they have now managed just one victory in their last six matches in the Bundesliga.
Holstein Kiel Team News: Still no Becker
Key midfielder Patrick Erras missed last week due to a concussion and he remains a doubt for this one alongside defensive duo Carl Johansson and Colin Kleine-Bekel. Timo Becker remains sidelined with a toe injury.
Predicted XI (3-5-2): Weiner; Schulz, Ivezic, Geschwill; Rosenboom, Holtby, Remberg, Gigovic, Porath; Harres, Skrzybski
Unavailable: Becker (Injured)
Questionable: Johansson (Injured), Kleine-Bekel (Injured), Erras (Concussion)
Augsburg Team News: Gouweleeuw suspension
Dutch defender Jeffrey Gouweleeuw is missing through suspension for Augsburg this weekend after he picked up a fifth yellow card of the season last weekend. Mads Pedersen remains unavailable due to injury, whilst Finland international Fredrik Jensen is also a doubt.
Predicted XI (3-1-4-2): Labrovic; Matsima, Gumny, Schlotterbeck; Jakic; Wolf, Maier, Onyeka, Giannoulis; Essende, Tietz
Unavailable: Gouweleeuw (Suspended), Oxford (Illness), Pedersen (Injured), Kabadayi (Injured)
Questionable: Dahmen (Injured), Rexhbecaj (Illness), Jensen (Injured)
Holstein Kiel vs Augsburg Prediction
Holstein Kiel have struggled throughout this season and begin the match day sitting five points adrift of the relegation playoff place and six below outright survival. They have the worst defensive record in the Bundesliga with 37 goals conceded so far this season. They now face an Augsburg side that have been underwhelming so far this season but they remain the overwhelming favourites for this one, despite their inconsistency.
Holstein Kiel vs Augsburg Tip: Augsburg to win
