Holstein Kiel will face Borussia Dortmund at the Holstein-Stadion on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, for the 17th matchday of the Bundesliga. This encounter is poised to be compelling as both teams arrive following disappointing defeats, with Kiel being edged out 3-2 by SC Freiburg and Dortmund losing 3-2 to Bayer Leverkusen.
Currently, Holstein Kiel occupies the 17th spot with just eight points, find themselves perilously close to relegation, only two points clear of rock-bottom VfL Bochum. Despite this, there's been some recent positivity for Kiel. They secured impressive wins against Augsburg (5-1) and Union Berlin (2-1) before their recent setback to Freiburg.
Dortmund, meanwhile, is sitting reasonably higher at seventh place on 25 points. Their campaign has been rocky, featuring seven wins and five defeats. Despite their historical dominance over Kiel, this season has seen Borussia struggle to garner victories away from home, with their last away record standing at one win, two draws, and four losses.
The match will see teams with contrasting offensive records. Kiel have scored 19 goals but conceded 38, reflecting their struggles. On the other hand, Dortmund has netted 30 goals, albeit with 25 against them. These statistics highlight vulnerabilities for both teams.
Head coach of Borussia Dortmund, Nuri Sahin, has acknowledged the team's challenges. He noted the need for greater consistency, particularly after their 'cold start' against Leverkusen where they found themselves trailing 3-1 within 19 minutes. Sahin remarked, 'The three goals conceded were too easy at this level. I hope my boys defend.' Dortmund faces some fitness uncertainties with key players such as Karim Adeyemi and Pascal Gross sidelined due to various issues, including suspension.
Marcel Rapp, the coach of Holstein Kiel, faces his own injury challenges, with important players like Marvin Schulz and Steven Skrzybski unavailable. Nevertheless, Rapp remains optimistic, stating, 'This is a very special game...I think Dortmund have many good players, but we are on the right track.'
Statistically, Dortmund have dominated previous encounters, winning five of their last six matches, including the most recent clash with Kiel ending 5-0 at home. The history may favor the visitors, but the unpredictability of football leaves room for surprises, especially with Kiel fighting for survival.
Both teams have also struggled defensively, having allowed their opponents to score frequently. For Kiel, the last five matches yielded over 2.5 total goals per match, indicating both attacking potential and defensive frailty. Borussia Dortmund matches have similarly seen high-scoring affairs, underlining their offensive but imperfect defensive play.
For punters, the odds for this match heavily favor Dortmund, with 1Win offering 1.54 for their victory. Observers expect Dortmund to find the net first, which they have done consistently throughout the season. Betting on both sides to score has also attracted attention due to their respective goal-scoring capabilities.
Key players to watch include Holstein Kiel's Phil Harres, who has scored six goals this season and looks to capitalize on Dortmund's defensive lapses when they meet. On the Dortmund side, Jamie Gittens showcases promise, having netted several times lately, including at least six goals so far this campaign.
Matchday anticipation builds as both teams step onto the pitch aimed at bouncing back from recent defeats. Kiel's home support will provide additional motivation as they seek to snatch points required for survival against a challenged Borussia Dortmund team.
The match will kick off at 18:30 local time, and broadcast details include availability on ESPN and streaming through various platforms. Fans can expect intense action as both teams go for valuable points.