Bochum to continue fine form with another victory
TEAM NEWS
Holstein Kiel's Arne Sicker and Philipp Sander will not be available for the league encounter against Bochum while Aaron Seydel is a doubt with a heel injury.
Bochum’s long-term injury absentees Jannik Bandowski, Milos Pantovic, Thomas Eisfeld and Florian Kraft are all likely to miss out again.
Holstein Kiel
Suspended: None
Doubtful: Aaron Seydel (heel)
Injured/unavailable: Arne Sicker, Philipp Sander (both unspecified)
Bochum
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Jannik Bandowski, Milos Pantovic, Thomas Eisfeld (all knee); Florian Kraft (finger)
MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN
Holstein Kiel’s unbeaten run of two wins and two draws in their first four league matches came to an unexpected end as they were beaten convincingly 4-1 by a very strong and motivated Greuther Furth team last weekend – and they will be aware that with a repeat of such a dreadful performance they will not be able to get more points. However, having great support from their fans at their own stadium, where they are unbeaten in their two home league matches with one draw and one win, they will be looking to bounce back this weekend.
Bochum, who have been tipped by many as secret promotion candidates, have made a very strong start to the season despite failing in their opener to Cologne, losing 2-0. Bochum have only two points fewer than Hamburg who are top of the league table on 12 points, having won three, drawn one and lost one of their last five league encounters, and they have the joint best goal difference across the division with +7. After clinching a good 2-2 draw with Paderborn before the international break, Bochum crashed Ingolstadt 6-0 on home soil last time out. Bochum have also beaten Duisburg 2-0 and Sandhausen 1-0 in round two and three.
Bochum make the trip to Kiel in tremendous form, and they will fancy their chances of picking up another three points on their travels this weekend. Holstein Kiel will do their best to contain them, but I fancy this league match to end in a narrow victory for the away side.
SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – BOCHUM
Bochum have scored the first goal in four of their five league matches so far. With that in mind, I fancy the visitors to open the scoring on their travel on Saturday.
HEAD TO HEAD
The teams have met only twice last season in league action, with Holstein Kiel winning at home 3-0 and drawing 1-1 away from home.
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