Holstein Kiel vs Wolfsburg preview: Rapp and Hasenhüttl looking to build on promising signs

After both suffering 3-2 losses on opening weekend, Holstein Kiel take on Wolfsburg at Holstein-Stadion in an encounter where either side will be eager to pick up their first points of the campaign.

Holstein Kiel

Tomorrow’s hosts will undoubtedly be disappointed after last week’s defeat on the road against Hoffenheim, however as far as performances are concerned, Marcel Rapp will feel that there are enough positives to take as his side moves into their second-ever Bundesliga match.

Whilst Hoffenheim produced 21 shots against the newly promoted side, Kiel were fairly dangerous themselves, having 17 attempts at goal on an entertaining afternoon in Sinsheim, ending the first match week with the joint most big chances created across the Bundesliga.

Rapp and his men now turn their attentions to Wolfsburg, whom they last faced competitively in the 2019 promotion/relegation playoff, losing by three goals to two over the course of the two-legged affair.

Team news

Colin Noah Kleine-Bekel and Steven Skrzybski will both miss out on this weekend’s action due to injury, whilst Carl Johansson is a doubt alongside Andu Yobel Kelati’s suspension after receiving a red card against Hoffenheim.

Marcel Rapp will likely name a similar attack after witnessing the amount of chances created last weekend. Shuto Machino, Benedikt Pichler and Alexander Bernhardsen will be expected to start amongst the host’s attacking line

Wolfsburg

The visitors enter this weekend’s action after coming within touching distance of taking points from Bayern München last weekend, with Serge Gnabry’s winner in the 82nd minute taking the three points back to Bavaria.

A second-half brace from Lovro Majer gave the Wolves a 2-1 lead after Jamal Musiala opened the scoring for Bayern early on. 

Ralph Hasnhüttl’s men carried on their losing form from the back end of last season, with the side now carrying three losses in a row. His side did put in a fantastic showing against Bayern however, and the Austrian will hope that his side can capitalise on a good performance up north this weekend.

Team news

The lengthy list of absentees leaves Hasenhüttl in a mess regarding consistency in the lineup. Mathys Angely, Rogerio, Joaki Maehe, Kevin Paredes and Aster Vranckx all find themselves sidelined. 

Mohamed El Amine Amoura, Bartosz Bialke and Lukas Nmecha are also all expected to miss out on tomorrow’s away trip, severely limiting the attacking options at Hasenhüttl’s disposal.