Holstein Kiel start their first-ever Bundesliga campaign with a trip to take on Hoffenheim at the PreZero Arena on Saturday, 24 August. Read our German football tips for the fixture below.
Contents
Hoffenheim vs Holstein Kiel prediction: Hosts to start with a win?
Key Stats
- Hoffenheim won three and drew one of their final four home matches in the Bundesliga last season.
- Hoffenheim have lost only two of their last 12 home games in the Bundesliga overall.
- Both Hoffenheim’s and Holstein Kiel’s DFB Pokal fixtures last week featured four or more goals.
- 88% of Hoffenheim’s home games in the league last term produced goals at both ends.
Correct score prediction: Hoffenheim 3-2 Holstein Kiel
Holstein Kiel won their DFB Pokal fixture at Alemannia Aachen 3-2 last week, though they could they could come out on the wrong side of a five-goal thriller in their Bundesliga opener at Hoffenheim. The hosts also conceded twice in their cup clash at Wurzburger Kickers last time out, though Hoffenheim have the firepower to make full use of home advantage this time around.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Hoffenheim odds-on favourites
- HOME: 4/6 (1.67) – 60%
- DRAW: 16/5 (4.20) – 23.8%
- AWAY: 15/4 (4.75) – 21.1%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Holstein Kiel will make history this weekend when they contest a Bundesliga fixture for the first time, though they might come up short in their attempts to earn a positive result at the PreZero Arena.
Hoffenheim lost only two of their final 12 home games of the previous campaign and they are priced generously at 4/6 to carry that form over into the new season at Holstein Kiel’s expense. View more of our latest football tips on our prediction-packed page.
Most recent H2Hs: First meeting since 2021
Hoffenheim and Holstein Kiel have never met in the Bundesliga before, though they did clash in the DFB Pokal three years ago. On that occasion, Hoffenheim roared to a cosy 5-1 win over their visitors.
Germany DFB Pokal 26/10/21
TSG Hoffenheim
Holstein Kiel
Hoffenheim preview: Hlozek could start
Ihlas Bebou, David Jurasek, Finn Ole Becker and Margin Berisha are all out of action for Hoffenheim at present while Umut Tohumcu is also rated as a possible doubt. Summer signing Adam Hlozek could get the nod to start in attack for the first time.
Predicted lineup: Philipp (GK), Drexler, Stach, Akpoguma, Kaderabek, Promel, Grillitsch, Prass, Kramaric, Hlozek, Bulter
Germany Bundesliga I 31/08/24
L
Eintracht Frankfurt
3
TSG Hoffenheim
1
Germany Bundesliga I 24/08/24
W
Holstein Kiel
2
TSG Hoffenheim
3
Germany DFB Pokal 16/08/24
W
Wurzburger Kickers
2 (3)
TSG Hoffenheim
2 (5)
Elite Club Friendlies 10/08/24
L
Fulham
2
TSG Hoffenheim
0
Elite Club Friendlies 03/08/24
L
Ipswich
1
TSG Hoffenheim
0
Holstein Kiel preview: New faces could feature
Holstein Keil could be without the services of injured trio Carl Johansson, Steven Skryzbski and Colin Kleine-Bekel on Saturday. Armin Gigovic, Magnus Kundsen and Max Geschwill be among the new faces hoping to make their Bundesliga debuts.
Predicted lineup: Weiner (GK), Becker, Ivezic, Erras, Poath, Remberg, Holtby, Puchacz, Machino, Pichler, Bernhardsson
Germany Bundesliga I 31/08/24
L
Wolfsburg
2
Holstein Kiel
0
Germany Bundesliga I 24/08/24
L
TSG Hoffenheim
3
Holstein Kiel
2
Germany DFB Pokal 17/08/24
W
Alemannia Aachen
2
Holstein Kiel
3
Elite Club Friendlies 29/07/24
L
Borussia M'gladbach
1
Holstein Kiel
0
Europe Friendlies 06/07/24
W
B93 Copenhagen
1
Holstein Kiel
4
Player to watch – Adam Hlozek
Adam Hlozek’s signing was considered a coup for Hoffenheim, who paid €20m to acquire the striker from Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen. The 22-year-old Czech forward only signed on the dotted line last week, though he could be thrust straight into the action on Saturday.
Hlozek could be a star for Hoffenheim
Hlozek scored just seven times in all competitions for Leverkusen last season, though he should be handed a more prominent role for Hoffenheim and his output in the final third should climb as a result.
