Holstein Kiel vs. Hoffenheim Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 18 January 2025

Holstein Kiel hosts Hoffenheim at the Holstein Stadion on 18 January 2025 for a crucial Bundesliga clash. Both teams find themselves in the relegation zone, with Kiel in 17th place with 11 points and Hoffenheim just above them in 16th place with 14 points. This match could be pivotal for both sides as they desperately seek to climb out of danger.

Holstein Kiel is coming off an impressive 4-2 victory over Borussia Dortmund, which marked a significant morale boost despite their poor overall form, highlighted by WLWWL in their last five matches. Kiel’s captain, Lewis Holtby, will be absent due to suspension, hampering their midfield stability.

Hoffenheim, with odds of 2.30 to win, comes in as the bookmaker’s favorite. However, they have been inconsistent, with a recent LLWLD record. Despite their struggles, they possess dangerous attacking players like Andrej Kramaric, who has scored 6 goals this season. Both teams are defensively weak, suggesting a likely high-scoring encounter.

Expect goals on both ends, and betting on over 2.5 goals, with odds at 1.67, seems justified given both teams’ defensive records and their recent performances. Tune in at 14:30 on matchday for what promises to be an entertaining and pivotal fixture in the Bundesliga relegation battle.

Holstein Kiel vs Hoffenheim Prediction & Betting Tip

For this fascinating Bundesliga encounter between Holstein Kiel and Hoffenheim, our top betting tip is to go for:
Over 2.5 goals.
Given both teams’ defensive frailties this season, it’s a prudent and likely choice. Here’s why:

Holstein Kiel vs Hoffenheim Prediction
Betting Tip	Odds
Over 2.5 Goals	1.67

• Defensive Weakness: Holstein Kiel has the worst defensive record in the league, conceding an average of 2.4 goals per game.
• High-Scoring History: Previous encounters between these teams have consistently been high-scoring, with five or more goals.
• Offensive Firepower: Both teams have key attacking players like Phil Harres and Andrej Kramaric, who can exploit those defensive lapses.
  This match promises to be a goal-fest, perfect for over 2.5 goals.

Holstein Kiel vs Hoffenheim Odds

When it comes to betting on the Holstein Kiel vs Hoffenheim match, Hoffenheim emerges as the bookmaker’s favourite. Here’s a breakdown of the odds:

Holstein Kiel vs Hoffenheim Betting Odds
Bet	Odds
Holstein Kiel	2.89
Draw	3.59
Hoffenheim	2.30

These odds highlight the balanced yet slightly favourable chance for Hoffenheim. Given both teams’ defensive issues, another popular bet could be on Over 2.5 goals at 1.67 odds, anticipating a high-scoring affair based on their recent performances.

Holstein Kiel Team Analysis

Holstein Kiel Recent Performance:

Holstein Kiel have had a mixed bag of results recently, showing some promise despite their place near the bottom of the table. Over their last five matches, they achieved two wins, against Augsburg and Borussia Dortmund, and a loss to Dortmund. However, their defensive frailties remain a major concern, with no clean sheets in their last five games. They’ve maintained an impressive average of 2.80 goals scored per game recently, but their defense has let them down, conceding 2.4 goals on average throughout the season.

Here’s a look at their last five matches:

Home team	Away team	Result
Holstein Kiel	Borussia Dortmund	4-2 (Win)
Augsburg	Holstein Kiel	1-0 (Win)
Holstein Kiel	RB Leipzig	3-0 (Loss)
Holstein Kiel	Hertha BSC	2-2 (Draw)
Freiburg	Holstein Kiel	2-1 (Loss)

As they take on Hoffenheim next, maintaining their goal-scoring form while tightening up at the back will be crucial for manager Marcel Rapp’s side.

Holstein Kiel Key Players

Holstein Kiel has real potential to trouble Hoffenheim, especially with standout players like Phil Harres, the team’s top scorer with 7 goals. He will be their main attacking threat, aiming to exploit Hoffenheim’s defensive vulnerabilities. Magnus Knudsen, a crucial figure in midfield, will look to both support the attack and shield his backline. Shuto Machino, who grabbed a goal in their recent win against Borussia Dortmund, will also be key in providing attacking impetus from midfield.

Expected lineup for Holstein Kiel:

• Goalkeeper: Timon Weiner
• Defenders: Timo Becker, David Zec, Marko Ivezic, Lasse Rosenboom
• Midfielders: Nicolai Remberg, Magnus Knudsen, Shuto Machino, Finn Porath, Alexander Bernhardsson
• Forward: Phil Harres

Holstein Kiel Suspensions & Injuries

Holstein Kiel faces significant challenges with suspensions and injuries that could influence their performance. Notably, captain Lewis Holtby is suspended for two matches following a red card.

Injuries are also a concern, with several key players out. Their absence will test the depth of the squad.

Player	Suspension	Expected return
Lewis Holtby	Red card	February 2025

Player	Injury	Expected return
Colin Kleine-Bekel	Cruciate ligament injury	Early February 2025
Patrick Erras	Head injury	Late January 2025
Marvin Schulz	Groin injury	Late January 2025
Steven Skrzybski	Achilles tendon injury	Mid March 2025
Marco Komenda	Knock injury	A few days
Carl Johansson	Knee injury	Early March 2025

These absences could affect Holstein Kiel’s tactical options and overall team balance.

Holstein Kiel Tactics and Formation

Holstein Kiel Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 3-4-2-1
• Key Forward: Phil Harres
• Midfield Composition: Nicolai Remberg, Magnus Knudsen, and Shuto Machino
• Defensive Structure: Back three anchored by David Zec, flanked by Timo Becker and Marko Ivezic

Holstein Kiel’s manager, Marcel Rapp, is likely to stick with a 3-4-2-1 formation. Phil Harres will lead the attack, supported by the creative duo of Shuto Machino and Alexander Bernhardsson.

The midfield will seek a balance between control and attack, with Nicolai Remberg and Magnus Knudsen pulling the strings. Defensively, the back three will need to be solid, given the lack of clean sheets in recent games.

Expect a proactive approach, especially considering their high average of 2.80 goals scored in the last five games.

Hoffenheim Team Analysis

Hoffenheim Recent Performance

Hoffenheim have had a mixed bag of results in their last five outings:

Home team	Away team	Result
Hoffenheim	Borussia Dortmund	0-3 (Loss)
Bayer Leverkusen	Hoffenheim	2-0 (Loss)
Hoffenheim	FC Augsburg	3-0 (Win)
SC Freiburg	Hoffenheim	1-1 (Draw)
Hoffenheim	VfB Stuttgart	1-1 (Draw)
Recent Form: LLWLD

In their last five matches, Hoffenheim have shown inconsistent form, with:

• One win, two draws, and two losses.
• They have scored an average of 1.00 goals per game.
• No clean sheets in their last five matches.
  While they are defensively vulnerable, their recent matches suggest they can find the net, particularly later in the game. Hoffenheim will aim to capitalize on Holstein Kiel’s defensive frailties as they travel to Holstein Stadion.

Hoffenheim Key Players

Expected lineup for Hoffenheim:

• Goalkeeper: Oliver Baumann
• Defenders: Valentin Gendrey, Arthur Chaves, Stanley Nsoki, Alexander Prass
• Midfielders: Dennis Geiger, Florian Grillitsch, Tom Bischof, Andrej Kramaric, Gift Orban
• Striker: Adam Hlozek

Andrej Kramaric, Hoffenheim’s top scorer with 6 goals, remains their key attacking threat. His creativity and finishing make him a constant danger, especially against Holstein Kiel’s leaky defense. Kramaric’s matchup against David Zec in the heart of Kiel’s defense will be crucial.

Tom Bischof and Dennis Geiger in midfield will look to control the tempo and exploit Kiel’s defensive vulnerabilities. Adam Hlozek’s physical presence and aerial ability up front can trouble Kiel’s backline. Keep an eye on these battles as they could heavily influence the outcome.

Hoffenheim Suspensions & Injuries

Hoffenheim is facing a slew of injuries and a crucial suspension ahead of their clash against Holstein Kiel.

Injuries:

Player	Injury	Expected return
Ozan Kabak	Cruciate ligament injury	Mid February 2025
Ihlas Bebou	Knee surgery	Mid February 2025
Grischa Prömel	Cruciate ligament injury	Mid May 2025
Christopher Lenz	Calf injury	Late January 2025
Marius Bülter	Hamstring injury	Late January 2025
Umut Tohumcu	Ankle injury	Early February 2025
Diadié Samassékou	Hip injury	Mid February 2025
Anton Stach	Gastrointestinal discomfort	A few days
Stanley Nsoki	Hip injury	Late January 2025
Finn Ole Becker	Meniscus injury	Late January 2025
Arthur Chaves	Groin injury	Late January 2025

Suspensions:

Player	Suspension	Expected return
Pavel Kaderabek	Yellow cards	1 match

These absences could significantly impact Hoffenheim’s performance. Key defenders like Ozan Kabak and Stanley Nsoki being sidelined weakens their backline, while the suspension of Pavel Kaderabek affects their defensive stability. Additionally, the loss of creative midfield forces such as Grischa Prömel and Diadié Samassékou limits their playmaking options. This could be a challenging fixture for Hoffenheim under these circumstances.

Hoffenheim Tactics and Formation

Hoffenheim’s Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Adam Hlozek
• Creative Force: Andrej Kramaric
• Defensive Pairing: Arthur Chaves, Stanley Nsoki
• Wingers: Tom Bischof (Right), Gift Orban (Left)

Given their weakened defensive line due to multiple injuries, Hoffenheim may adopt a cautious approach. Expect Oliver Baumann to command the defense, with Chaves and Nsoki trying to maintain solidity at the back. Geiger and Grillitsch will serve as defensive midfielders to shield the backline. Up front, Hlozek leads the attack supported by Kramaric’s creative playmaking abilities. On the wings, Bischof and Orban will aim to stretch Holstein Kiel’s defense and create scoring opportunities.

Holstein Kiel vs Hoffenheim Head-to-Head Statistics

Looking at their last five meetings, Hoffenheim has had the upper hand in these encounters.

Home	Away	Result
Hoffenheim	Holstein Kiel	3-2
Hoffenheim	Holstein Kiel	5-1

Hoffenheim appears dominant in these fixtures, having scored a combined total of 8 goals in the last two matches.
It’s been a tough outing for Holstein Kiel every time they face Hoffenheim, suggesting this upcoming game might be another challenging match for them.
With previous encounters being high-scoring, expect another thrilling clash.

Odds accurate as of 16/01/2025 14:31, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.