Holstein Kiel - FC Ingolstadt 04

Comfortable home win for Holstein Kiel

TEAM NEWS

Holstein Kiel's Arne Sicker, Mathias Honsak and Philipp Sander are sidelined while Aaron Seydel is out with a heel injury.

Ingolstadt are without midfielders Christian Trasch and Joey Breitfeld, who could both be out until the end of the year with knee injuries.

Holstein Kiel

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Arne Sicker, Philipp Sander (both unspecified); Mathias Honsak (broken arm), Aaron Seydel (heel)

Ingolstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Christian Trasch, Joey Breitfeld (both knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Holstein Kiel will be hoping to replicate last weekend's performance after a surprise 1-0 win at Millerntor over St. Pauli in their last league outing. Holstein have won four, lost three and drawn four league matches so far. The Storks have also been very impressive at Holstein Stadium; they are one of only four teams who are still unbeaten on home soil, winning two and drawing three. Last time out on their own turf, they held league leaders to a 1-1 draw thanks to a late equaliser in the 88^thminute.

Ingolstadt have finally claimed a point under Alexander Nouri as the Schanzer drew 1-1 at home with fellow strugglers Duisburg in their previous league outing. Despite going a goal down through an own goal ten minutes from time, Ingolstadt showed tremendous grit and determination to come back almost in the last second of the league game with Marvin Matip securing the point by scoring the equaliser in the 90^thminute. That was Ingolstadt’s first point in seven league matches and it is no surprise they are rooted to the bottom of the table right now.

Holstein Kiel are unbeaten in five home league games (two wins, three draws) and should not have any problems when it comes to seeing off their struggling opponents this weekend. This will no doubt be a clear home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – HOLSTEIN KIEL

Holstein Kiel have opened the scoring in three of their last four league matches while Ingolstadt have conceded first in their last four league games on the bounce. Expect Holstein to score the first goal in this one.

HEAD TO HEAD

The teams have met only twice in league action in over eight years. Holstein Kiel thrashed Ingolstadt 5-1 away from home last season but only managed to hold them to a scoreless stalemate at home.