Holstein Kiel - FC Heidenheim

Holstein Kiel to make home advantage count

TEAM NEWS

The injured Arne Sicker and Philipp Sander will not be available for the encounter against Heidenheim at Holstein Stadium.

Frank Schmidt’s Heidenheim will have to do without defender Timo Beermann and midfield player Matthias Wittek

Holstein Kiel

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Arne Sicker, Philipp Sander (both unspecified)

Heidenheim

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Timo Beermann (calf), Matthias Wittek (knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Holstein Kiel secured their first away win in the opener last Friday as they beat giants Hamburg by an incredible 3-0 scoreline. The game was very even until Jonas Meffert finally broke the deadlock with an excellent shot outside the box in the 56^thminute before David Kinsombi and Mathias Honsak closed the show with one goal each. Despite having a lot of new players in the starting line-up, Holstein Kiel looked impressive and outplayed Hamburg in the second half. Above all, Lee Jae-Sung had a great day and helped his team to spring the first surprise of the season. They are currently one of only five teams who did not concede in the first round and will look to build on their well-executed counter-attacking strategy moving forward. The team had the fourth best defence on home soil last season, with only 19 goals conceded.

Heidenheim claimed a deserved 1-1 draw in last weekend’s standout match against Bielefeld. The team took the lead shortly before the half-time break before they conceded the equaliser two minutes later. Although they have now dropped their first two points this term, they were happy with the result and their good start to the campaign highlights that they have a squad capable of competing with the other strong clubs in the 2. Bundesliga. This could be a much better season than their last one which they finished in 13^thplace, two points above the relegation zone.

A hard fight is expected between these two sides, but Heidenheim have not managed to win against Holstein Kiel since 2014 and I therefore think this will end in another win for Tim Walter’s men.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – HOLSTEIN KIEL

Holstein Kiel should find the net first against Heidenheim, as indeed they have done in two of their last three home encounters against FCH.

HEAD TO HEAD

These two have only met twice in the second division, with Holstein Kiel beating Heidenheim 5-3 away from home and 2-1 on home soil last season.