2. Bundesliga preview: Holstein Kiel vs. FC Schalke 04

Preview, team news and predicted lineups as Holstein Kiel welcome FC Schalke 04 to the Holstein-Stadion on Sunday (13:30 CET).

With both sides fighting very different battles, there is plenty at stake in Kiel this weekend. Marcel Rapp’s hosts are glancing nervously over their shoulders, while Miron Muslic’s Schalke are desperate to steady themselves in the promotion race.

Holstein Kiel have struggled to find rhythm since the turn of the year. Although they opened the Rückrunde with a win, they have taken just one point from their three matches since, drawing once and losing twice. That inconsistent run has pulled them into the congested lower half of the table. They sit 12th, but only two points separate them from the relegation play-off spot heading into the weekend.

Last time out, Kiel delivered a flat performance in a 3-1 defeat away to Hannover. They were two goals down inside 20 minutes and never truly recovered. Phil Harres’ second-half strike reduced the deficit and briefly offered hope at 2-1, yet the Storks were unable to build on that momentum and eventually conceded a third to end the contest.

Defender Niklas Niehoff has called for a response on home soil:

“We know the last few games haven’t been good, and we want to put on a better performance against Schalke. It’s about continuing to stick together as a team and putting the basics into practice on the pitch.” 

Schalke’s start to 2026 has been equally frustrating, albeit for different reasons. A side with ambitions of finishing top of the table have stumbled through the opening weeks of the year, drawing three and losing one of their four matches. That run has cost them top spot, with Darmstadt now leading the way as Schalke sit second, one point behind.

Their 2-2 draw against Dresden last week summed up their recent fragility. Two goals up at home thanks to an Edin Džeko brace, Schalke looked in control before a series of costly lapses allowed the relegation-threatened visitors to snatch a point with two late goals. It was another example of points slipping through their fingers at a crucial stage of the campaign.

Muslic remains calm despite the wobble:

“We’re going through a rough patch. Other teams have gone through this before. We’ll find a way out of it too.” Before adding that “the solutions lie within the team.” 

Kiel claimed the reverse fixture at the Veltins-Arena, winning 1-0 through an early Alexander Bernhardsson goal. Schalke have won just one of the last five meetings between the sides, while Marcel Rapp boasts a strong personal record against the Royal Blues, with three wins and one draw from four encounters.

Team news

Holstein Kiel: Long-term absentees Alexander Bernhardsson and Carl Johansson remain sidelined. Steven Skrzybski and Umut Tohumcu are also unavailable.

FC Schalke 04: Vitalie Becker, Adrian Gantenbein, Emil Højlund, Tomas Kalas, Bryan Lasme and Henning Matriciani are all unavailable. 

Predicted lineups

Holstein Kiel (4-2-3-1): Krumrey (GK) – Nekic, Zec, Ivezic, Komenda – Meffert, Davidsen – Niehoff, Kelati, Kapralik – Harres 

FC Schalke 04 (3-4-2-1): Karius (GK) – Kuruçay, Katić, Ayhan – T. Becker, El-Faouzi, Schallenberg, N’Diaye – Ljubicic, Karaman – Džeko