Holstein Kiel vs RB Leipzig preview: Two out of form sides battle

Holstein Kiel host RB Leipzig on Saturday, with the home side needing a win to get closer to escaping the relegation zone and closing the five-point gap. Leipzig, however, are high off a big win against Frankfurt in midweek.

Holstein Kiel

Holstein Kiel have had a fairly poor start to the camaign, with the promoted side out of the DFB-Pokal and 17th in the league.

Adding to this, last week’s 3-1 loss to fellow promoted side St. Pauli reinstates the difference in quality between the two former 2. Liga side.

However, there have been some bright sparks in the side including Shuto Machino who has netted four goals in the Bundesliga this season.

Also, adding to this sense of positivity, Kiel can take some hope from their 2-2 draw against Bayer Leverkusen in spite of this being back on matchday six.

Interestingly enough, the last time Holstein Kiel did face RB Leipzig was in 2014 when both sides were in the 3. Liga. 

That time out, Kiel lost 2-0 at the Holstein-Stadium. Ahead of the game against Leipzig, Holstein coach Marcel Rapp said: “We need to get basics like running, battling and passion onto the pitch along with output.”

Team news

Kiel are without Timo Becker, Colin Kleine-Beckel and Patrick Erras due to injury. 

Marco Komenda and Marvin Schulz are doubts ahead of Saturday’s tie.

Leipzig

Marco Rose’s Leipzig finally got their first win since October in midweek against Eintracht Frankfurt by winning 3-0.

Two goals and a man-of-the-match performance from Loïs Openda saw them progress to the quarter-finals of the DFB-Pokal.

However, in the league, the story has been different as they have lost all of their four previous encounters and were humiliated by Wolfsburg last weekend in their 5-1 loss at the Red Bull Arena.

Adding to this, Leipzig’s top striker Loïs Openda has been struggling for form in the Bundesliga and hasn’t scored since matchday eight against Freiburg.

In spite of this, Marco Rose’s side remain in the top four despite the streak of poor results and alongside this they are only five points off Frankfurt in second.

Ahead of the game against Holstein Kiel, Leipzig coach Rose said: “We will need to deliver a strong performance. We head there off the back of a win and know that we can perform with the squad we have available.”

Team news

Xavi Simons, David Raum, Eljif Elmas, Yussuf Poulsen, Assan Ouédrago, El Chadaille Bitshiabu and Castello Lukeba are all out with injury before the tie.

There are no doubts for RB Leipzig in terms of fitness.