Holstein Kiel vs Bayer Leverkusen Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Bayer Leverkusen aim to get back to winning ways away to rock-bottom Holstein Kiel.
Kick-off date/time: Saturday February 22nd 2025: – UK – 2:30pm / US ET – 9:30am / US PT – 6:30am
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – Some matches will be televised on ESPN channels so it is worth checking their schedules
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – ESPN+
Holstein Kiel Preview: Bochum win sends Holstein bottom
Holstein Kiel dropped to the foot of the Bundesliga last weekend following their defeat at the hands of Eintracht Frankfurt combined with Bochum’s shock victory over Borussia Dortmund. Ironically, Kiel’s last league win came against the same opposition back in mid-January, but since then they’ve failed to win any of their last five.
One thing you can’t say about the hosts is that their games haven’t been entertaining of late. Each of Holstein’s last nine league matches have seen over 3.5 goals scored as well as both teams involved finding the net.
Bayer Leverkusen Preview: Bayern draw keeps champions at bay
The gap between second-placed Bayer Leverkusen and league-leaders Bayern Munich at the top of the table remains at eight points after the two sides played out a 0-0 draw at the BayArena last Saturday. That wasn’t for Leverkusen’s lack of trying, they totally dominated Vincent Kompany’s side, but couldn’t force that all-important winning goal.
The result means that Leverkusen need to be almost perfect for the rest of the season to stand any chance of catching their biggest title rivals and following consecutive 0-0 draws, anything less than a comprehensive win here would be a killer for them.
Holstein Kiel Team News: Anxious wait over Nekic and Porath
Holstein Kiel will make a late decision over the fitness of both centre-back Ivan Nekic and midfielder Finn Porath. The pair are each suffering from a muscular injury and if either of them miss out, then they’ll join a list of around seven players already missing.
Predicted XI (3-5-2): Weiner; Becker, Zec, Komenda; Rosenboom, Gigovic, Remberg, Holtby, Javorcek; Harres, Machino
Unavailable: Bernhardsson (Injured), Erras (Injured), Kleine-Bekel (Injured), Johansson (Injured), Pichler (Injured), Skrzybski (Injured), Tolkin (Injured)
Questionable: Nekic (Injured), Porath (Injured)
Bayer Leverkusen Team News: More changes likely
Emiliano Buendia faces a battle to be chosen from the start ahead of Amine Adli and Nathan Tella, but the Argentine could get the nod in Kiel. The first-choice backline of Leverkusen could all be rested, including Jonathan Tah, Edmond Tapsoba and Piero Hincapie.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Hradecky; Mukiele, Tah, Hermoso; Frimpong, Andrich, Xhaka Grimaldo; Buendia, Boniface, Wirtz
Unavailable: Belocian (Injured), Terrier (Injured)
Questionable:
Holstein Kiel vs Bayer Leverkusen Prediction
It would be no surprise to see Bayer Leverkusen take out their frustrations at not beating Bayern Munich out on Holstein Kiel, who are already under pressure after having fallen down to the bottom of the Bundesliga. Whilst Leverkusen are not as formidable perhaps as they were last season, the champions remain an excellent team who have lost just once all season and with enough depth to dominate the hosts despite any rotation.
Expect Xabi Alonso’s side to put some pressure on Bayern Munich ahead of their showdown with Eintracht Frankfurt tomorrow by beating the relegation-battling home team by at least two clear goals in this one.
Holstein Kiel vs Bayer Leverkusen Tip: Bayer Leverkusen to win with -1 handicap
