Bundesliga | Gameweek 27

Mar 29, 2025 at 2.30pm UK

Holstein-Stadion

Holstein Kiel vs Werder Bremen

Match preview

The hosts' only real chance against Heidenheim came in the 87th minute and it was the 10th time in their last 11 games that they have conceded at least two goals.

However, Holstein Kiel are still a threat in the final third, having scored four goals in their last three games, and their 38 Bundesliga goals are the best return among the bottom six.

Die Storche's situation is dire as they occupy one of the two automatic relegation spots and are three points behind 16th-placed VfL Bochum, who occupy the relegation play-off spot, but already eight points behind 15th-placed St. Pauli.

Marcel Rapp's side go into the game in poor form, having failed to win in eight of their last nine matches, with five of those defeats coming on the road.

Holstein Kiel are also winless in four home matches - two draws and two defeats - conceding nine goals in the process.

Werder Bremen, meanwhile, will have been surprised to lose to Borussia Mönchengladbach, having created six good chances to the visitors' three.

The visitors' vulnerability at the back is worrying, having conceded 19 goals in their last seven matches.

Head coach Ole Werner did manage a 2-1 win over Holstein Kiel in their last meeting on 9 November, and he deserves credit for limiting the visitors to just 12 shots on goal, with an average of just 0.6 xG. The green and white's form has been poor, with six defeats in their last seven matches, and only one win in the five matches prior to that, with two defeats.

Fans will also be concerned by their side's away record, as while Werder Bremen beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 in their last away game on 8 March, they have lost four and drawn one of their previous five away games.

Recent Performance

Holstein Kiel Bundesliga form:DLLWDL

Werder Bremen Bundesliga form:LLLLWL

Werder Bremen form (all competitions):LLLLWL

Team News

Holstein Kiel are facing something of an injury crisis at the back with centre-backs Colin Kleine-Bekel, Ivan Nekic and Patrick Erras all ruled out.

With so many absentees at the heart of the defence, Rapp may be forced to go with a back three of Timo Becker, David Zec and Marco Komenda.

Elsewhere, attacking midfielder Andu Yobel Kelati is likely to be sidelined until the end of May with a knee injury, so Magnus Knudsen, Nicolai Remberg and Armin Gigovic are expected to support strikers Steven Skrzybski and Shuto Machino.

Opponents Werder Bremen will be without centre-back Milos Veljkovic due to a concussion, and his absence could see Niklas Stark, Marco Friedl and Anthony Jung start at the back.

Striker Andre Silva is likely to be supported by Romano Schmid and Marvin Ducksch, with Justin Njinmah not expected to return until early April.

Senne Lynen and Jens Stage have often partnered up in midfield and there is no reason to believe that they will not do so again this weekend.

Possible starting lineup

Holstein Kiel possible starting lineup:

Weiner; Becker, Zec, Komenda; Porath, Knudsen, Remberg, Gigovic, Tolkin; Skrzybski, Machino

Werder Bremen possible starting lineup:

Zetterer; Stark, Friedl, Jung; Weiser, Lynen, Stage, Agu; Schmid, Ducksch; Silva