Holstein Kiel vs. SC Freiburg preview: Sides with contrasting ambitions go head to head

In a huge clash at Holstein-Stadion, the north takes on the south as Kiel look to play their part in a great escape against Champions League hopefuls Freiburg.

Holstein Kiel

It doesn’t get much bigger for Kiel than this weekend. A win against Freiburg would lift them into the relegation playoff position ahead of Heidenheim, should they fail to pick up three points against Union Berlin on Sunday.

A loss, however, leaves the Storks with a lot of work to do going into the season’s final game against a resurgent Borussia Dortmund.

The hosts emerged as 3-1 winners against Augsburg last time out, taking advantage of Heidenheim and Bochum’s 0-0 draw on Friday evening.

Having found the back of the net seven times in their last two outings, Kiel have scored as many in that period as they managed in their seven prior matches.

Marcel Rapp’s men sit a single point away from Heidenheim in 16th, with the playoff being the most realistic route to safety due to 15th-placed Hoffenheim’s six-point gap to the bottom two.

Last time out on home soil, Kiel came out as 4-3 winners against Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Team News

Colin Kleine-Bekel, Ivan Nekic, Marco Komenda and Patrick Erras all remain out for the Storks.

Midfielder Nicolai Remberg is suspended, while forwards Shuto Machino and Yobel Kelati are out through injury.

SC Freiburg

After conceding a late equaliser against Bayer Leverkusen last time out, Freiburg carry their Champions League hopes in the palm of their own hands. Three points up north would be a huge boost after the race for a top four position was intensified following last week’s action. 

Head coach Julian Schuster will be pleased that his team have managed to score eight goals in their prior four matches, coinciding with an unbeaten run across these matches. 

Schuster’s side also boast a fantastic away record after winning four out of their past six on the road. 

Team News

Schuster has almost a fully fit squad to pick from, with Daniel-Kofi Kyereh being the only absentee.