Holstein Kiel - Erzgebirge Aue

Aue’s woes to continue at Holstein Stadium

TEAM NEWS

Holstein Kiel will have to do without the long-term injured Christopher Lenz, Arne Sicker, Amara Conde and Manuel Janzer while back winger Partick Herrmann saw his fifth yellow card against Kaiserslautern last Friday and faces a suspension here.

Aue have no new injury or suspension concerns. The only player not at their disposal is Nicolai Rapp who has started in 19 of their 22 league matches.

Holstein Kiel

Suspended: Patrick Herrmann

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Christopher Lenz (adductor), Manuel Janzer (Achilles), Arne Sicker (unspecified), Amara Conde (foot)

Aue

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nicolai Rapp (foot)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Holstein Kiel have been in poor form of late. The Storks have fallen to two defeats and eight draws in their last 11 league games, picking up only 11 points from the last 33 on offer. Last Friday, Kiel were embarrassed by bottom side Kaiserslautern in a 3-1 defeat at Betzenberg. As a result of their woeful form, they have lost a lot of ground on leaders Dusseldorf, trailing them by seven points, and if their bad run continues their current position in third place will soon be something of the past. Kiel’s last league win came against Dresden in November at home.

Aue are going through their own tough patch of form at the moment, drawing two and losing three of their last five matches in league. However, last Sunday’s 0-0 draw at home against fifth-placed Ingolstadt has stopped the rot somewhat. The team have dropped down to 15^th after claiming only one win in their last 11 league outings and coach Hannes Drews is a man under serious pressure.

Holstein Kiel will be itching to return to winning ways and they will fancy their chances of claiming a vital victory here. I predict a home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: TOTAL GOALS – THREE

Both teams have been far from impressive recently and, given their porous defences (Holstein Kiel have conceded two or more goals in three of their last five while Aue have shipped nine in their last four), this may result in goals. When these two met in the 3. Bundesliga in their two most recent encounters in Kiel, both matches ended with exactly three goals. I predict the same outcome here.

HEAD TO HEAD

Holstein Kiel have never hosted Aue in the 2. Bundesliga. However, Kiel won 3-0 away from home earlier this season in their most recent meeting in September.