Fortuna Düsseldorf - Holstein Kiel

Promoted leaders to grab another win

TEAM NEWS

Tim Wiesner, Oliver Fink and Andre Hofmann will be out for Dusseldorf once again due to injury while Uwe Neuhaus saw his fifth yellow card last time out and is suspended.

Holstein Kiel will have to do without the long-term injured Amara Conde and the suspended Dominic Peitz who was given his tenth yellow card against Ingolstadt last weekend.

Dusseldorf

Suspended: Florian Neuhaus

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Andre Hoffmann (unspecified), Oliver Fink (adductor), Tim Wiesner (pubis)

Holstein Kiel

Suspended: Dominic Peitz

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Amara Conde (foot)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Dusseldorf booked their place in the 1. Bundesliga with a 2-1 win over Dresden at the DDV Stadium last Saturday, with striker Rouven Hennings scoring a late winner. Although they have a seven-point lead over third-placed Holstein Kiel, only two points separates them from Nurnberg in second and as a result, Fortuna will still need points from their last two games to seal the 2. Bundesliga title. Friedhelm Funkel’s team have without doubt been the real deal in the second tier and fully deserve promotion to the promised land. 

Last weekend’s incredible 5-1 win away at Ingolstadt has kept Holstein Kiel’s automatic promotion hopes alive. Since losing 3-2 to St. Pauli at Millerntor Stadium in late February, Markus Anfang’s troops have managed to win five, whilst drawing three and losing only one of their last nine 2. Bundesliga matches. With a five-point lead over Bielefeld in fourth, Kiel are in pole position when it comes to the promotion playoff spot and one point from the last two fixtures could be enough to secure that place.

Despite Holstein Kiel’s good run of form, I can only see one winner in this one. Dusseldorf have the best home record in the league, and I fancy them to claim their 11^thand final 2. Bundesliga victory at Esprit Arena this weekend. 

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – HIGH 

Dusseldorf have been scoring at least two goals in their last five league wins. Holstein Kiel have been on fire in their last two away games, netting nine in the process, and should be capable of finding the net again here. I predict a high-scoring match.

HEAD TO HEAD

These teams will meet for the first time at Esprit Arena in the 2. Bundesliga. The reverse fixture was an entertaining 2-2 draw between these two sides in December.