Sonntag, 30. Juli 2017

Holstein Kiel - SV Sandhausen

Newcomers set to start season well

TEAM NEWS

Holstein Kiel’s core squad is almost the same as last season while the club have strengthened their team with some experienced and talented players, including goalkeeper Lukas Kruse (Paderborn), defender David Kinsombi (Karlsruher SC), defender Christopher Lenz (Union Berlin), midfielder Sebastian Heidinger (Paderborn), midfielder Atakan Karazor (Dortmund), midfielder Konde (Wolfsburg II), forward Ilir Azemi (Greuther Furth) and forward Marvin Ducksch (St. Pauli).

Sandhausen will be pleased that they can count on all their key players this season again, although they tried to strengthen the squad by adding goalkeeper Marcel Schuhen (Rostock), defender Marcel Seegert (Mannheim), defender Ken Gipson (RB Leipzig), midfielder Eroll Zejnullahu (Union Berlin), midfielder Nejmeddin Daghfous (Wurzburg), midfielder Mirco Born (Meppen), midfielder Robert Herrmann (Wolfsburg II) and forward Ali Ibrahimaj (Mannheim) to their ranks.

Holstein Kiel

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Luca Durholtz (illness), Atakan Karazor (ankle)

Sandhausen

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Jose Pierre Vunguidica, Mirco Born, Rick Wulle (all knee); Robert Herrmann (broken foot), Maximilian Jansen (unspecified)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

This is the beginning of a new era for Holstein Kiel. After several years of trying they have managed to return to 2.Bundesliga and will want to do their best in order to be competitive in this league. If their squad remains relatively injury free, then they should find their place in Germany’s second tier despite having the second lowest budget after Jahn Regensburg. One of their strengths is their defence, with only 25 goals conceded in 38 matches last season, but the team will have to have a serious look at their goalscoring.

Sandhausen should be able to get off to a good start to the new campaign as they have the same starting XI available as last season. The players will know each other and be familiar with each other’s strengths and weaknesses – something that could give the club an advantage over their opponents and could provide a welcome boost. Sandhausen are known for their compact style of play, which doesn’t tend to be popular amongst their opponents. 

Both teams are known for their fighting spirit and this could be an exciting game. However, it will be Kiel’s first 2.Bundesliga match while Sandhausen have more experience in this tier and know how to win this kind of games. Coupled with the fact that they played well in their friendlies and are in form already, I expect Sandhausen to start the season as well as they started last year’s and grab all three points here.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – LOW (UNDER 2.5 GOALS)

Both teams are not proficient by any means when it comes to goals and Holstein Kiel had one of the best defences last season, which makes me want to opt for a bet on under 2.5 goals.

HEAD TO HEAD

These teams will meet for the first time in 2.Bundesliga.

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