Holstein Kiel vs. Union Berlin preview: Hosts searching for first win

Holstein Kiel

Holstein Kiel have experienced a difficult start to their maiden Bundesliga campaign, having drawn two and lost four of their six league matches. Marcel Rapp’s side lost three consecutive league games before they got on the board with a 2-2 draw against Bochum. After going on to lose 4-2 Eintracht Frankfurt, Holstein Kiel recorded a confidence-boosting result in their final game before the international break. The newly-promoted side managed to hold champions Bayer Leverkusen to a draw at the BayArena.

Holstein Kiel were left with a mountain to climb after conceding two goals inside the opening eight minutes. However, Max Geschwill scored an equaliser in first-half stoppage time to give his team a foothold, before Fiete Arp netted a second-half penalty to rescue a valuable point.

Although they would have taken encouragement from that result, Holstein Kiel are languishing in the relegation zone with two points separating them from safety. They will have to improve their home form if they are to move out of the drop zone, having lost each of their opening three home games this season. After conceding 12 goals in those three matches, Sunday’s hosts will be desperate to produce a strong defensive display against Union.

Team News

The hosts are unable to call upon Andu Kelati, Colin Kleine-Bekel and Carl Johansson.

Union Berlin

Bo Svensson has made a promising start to his time as Union boss, having overseen three wins, two draws and just one defeat in six league matches. That sole defeat took place in Union’s most recent away match against Borussia Mönchengladbach, who scored a 96th-minute winner to snatch all three points.

Die Eisernen ultimately produced a positive response in their final outing before the international break. Kevin Vogt and Yorbe Vertessen grabbed a goal apiece to fire Union to an impressive 2-1 home victory over Dortmund. As a result, Svensson has won all three of his home matches since becoming Union head coach.

However, the former Mainz boss is still waiting for his first away league victory, having seen his Union side draw two and lose one of their three away matches. Die Eisernen have scored just one goal in those three games, highlighting a key area for improvement if they are to start picking up points on the road.

Team News

The visitors are without the injured trio of Yannic Stein, Ivan Prtajin and Josip Juranovic.