Bundesliga | Gameweek 24

Mar 2, 2025 at 2.30pm UK

Stadion An der Alten Forsterei

Union Berlin vs Holstein Kiel

Match preview

The hosts were dominated by Dortmund, who had almost five xGs and nine good chances, six of which came in the second half when BVB scored four of their six goals.

The Eisernen failed to create any real chances last time out, managing just one shot on target, and their fans will be concerned that they have failed to score in five of their last eight games.

Boss Steffen Baumgart will not be too worried about relegation though, with his side nine points clear of 16th-placed Heidenheim, who occupy the relegation play-off spot.

Union have now lost two games in a row and conceded eight goals, as many as they had in their previous six matches.

Although Baumgart's side have won just one of their last eight home games, they have only been beaten three times in that time, with impressive draws against RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt at the Stadion An der Alten Forsterei.

As for Holstein Kiel, they come into the game having managed just one shot on target from inside the area against Leverkusen, compared to almost two xG and 14 attempts from inside their own half.

Leverkusen's win means that the visitors have now conceded at least two goals in each of their last eight games, although their recent defensive frailty can be partly explained by the fact that they have faced the Bundesliga's top three in three of their last four matches.

Holstein are just two points behind 16th-placed Heidenheim, but eight points behind 15th-placed St Pauli, who are the last team guaranteed safety.

Marcel Rapp's side are winless in their last six games - four defeats - and have lost 13 of their last 18 matches, including a 2-0 defeat to Union Berlin in the league on 20 October.

The Storks have a poor away record, failing to win any of their last 12 away games, with nine of those defeats coming on the road.

Recent Performance

Union Berlin Bundesliga form:WLDWLL

Holstein Kiel Bundesliga form:LDLDLL

Team News

A foot injury to Union midfielder Aljoscha Kemlein will sideline him for the remainder of the season, with Janik Haberer and Rani Khedira likely to be deployed in a double pivot.

Centre-back Oluwaseun Ogbemudia will miss Sunday's clash, as will full-back Robert Skov with an ankle problem, although both could return by the middle of next month.

Diogo Leite and Danilho Doekhi have been prominent in the backline this season and could be joined by Josip Juranovic and Tom Rothe.

Holstein Kiel will be without a number of injured players, including defenders Colin Kleine-Beckel, Patrick Erras, Ivan Nekic, Carl Johansson and John Tolkin.Centre-backs Marko Ivezic, David Zec and Marco Komenda are likely to start at the back.

With Finn Porath still sidelined for a few days, Armin Gigovic, Nicolai Remberg and Lewis Holtby could anchor the midfield.

Up front, Phil Harres and Shuto Machino will almost certainly partner each other, with Alexander Bernhardsson, Benedikt Pichler and Jann-Fiete Arp not in the matchday squad.

Possible starting lineup

Union Berlin possible starting lineup:

Ronnow; Juranovic, Doekhi, Leite, Rothe; Haberer, Khedira; Skarke, Jeong, Hollerbach; Ilic

Holstein Kiel possible starting lineup:

Weiner; Ivezic, Zec, Komenda; Rosenboom, Gigovic, Remberg, Holtby, Javorcek; Harres, Machino