The Mercedes-Benz Arena in Stuttgart will host an exciting Bundesliga duel this Saturday, with the home team Stuttgart welcoming the newly promoted team Holstein Kiel.
The hosts will look to bounce back from their heavy defeat in their last game, while the visitors will aim for their first win of the season.
Game preview
Stuttgart had a mixed start to the season: of the first seven league games they won two, drew three and lost two.
The runners-up in the 2023/24 Bundesliga suffered a 0-4 defeat against Bayern Munich Last time out, Harry Kane scored a hat-trick. However, they managed to overcome Juventus 1-0 in the Champions League in midweek thanks to a late winner from El Bilal Toure.
Like key players Josha Vagnoman And Sasa Kalajdzic have struggled for form while Sebastian Hoeness hopes his team can rediscover the spark of last season.
As for the visitors, Holstein Kiel have found life in the top flight difficult so far and are in 17th place with just two points from their first seven games.
In their last game they were beaten 2-0 by Union Berlin despite creating more chances. manager Marcel Rapp believes his side are not far away from their first win, but the defensive problems that have seen them concede 21 goals so far this season will be a major problem.
Stuttgart’s form has been inconsistent with three wins, three draws and two defeats in their last seven games in all competitions. They have scored nine goals but conceded twelve goals in that time.
Holstein Kiel, on the other hand, is winless in its last six games, has lost four and drawn two. Although they scored nine times, they have the worst defensive record in the division with 21 goals.
Head to head
This will be the first meeting between the two teams in the Bundesliga, the previous encounters took place in the 2nd Bundesliga.
Kiel has won three of the last four duels, Stuttgart only won once.
Team news
Stuttgart has to do without the injured Dan Axel Zagadou until early February 2025, during Leonidas Stergiou And Nikolas Nartey are doubts.
For the visitors, Colin Kleine-Bekel is canceled until the end of November and Andu Yobel Kelati And Alexander Bernhardsson are also not available. Midfielder Lewis Holtby is questionable for the game.
forecast
Despite the exhausting duel with Juventus, Stuttgart should have enough quality to defeat the weak Holstein Kiel team.
The hosts’ superior firepower and home advantage should make the difference, although the visitors will make things difficult for the home team.
- Result prediction: Stuttgart – Holstein Kiel 2:1
Betting tips
Match result: Stuttgart wins
Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Over 2.5 goals – Both teams have struggled defensively this season, so this could be a high-scoring affair.
All-time goalscorer: Sasa Kalajdzic (Stuttgart) – The striker will try to get back on the scoresheet after a quiet period.
Both teams score: Yes – Both teams have scored goals regularly this season, so both should be able to score this season.