Match Preview vs Holstein Kiel

Opponents Focus: 

Kiel sit still in the bottom half of the table after their poor hinrunde performance but began to start turning the tide under Marcel Rapp. While it looks slightly unlikely that the side from Schleswig Holstein will head towards any relegation battle, its hard say that the possibly definitely wont happen. A win this weekend would all but see them a little more safe. 

A side that is praised for its ball retention and passing percentages, Kiel have been shipping in the goals in recent weeks. With only two wins in seven games, against Aue and Ingolstadt. Their last three defeats they have concede 10 goals. A statistic Rapp and his side will not want to add to further when HSV sails in on Sunday evening. 

The last fixture saw a 1-1 draw in a tightly contested contest and a similar match is to be expected.

The Match Facts : 

After "April curse" now against the "Holstein curse

With the 4-0 home win in the catch-up match against Erzgebirge Aue on Tuesday (5 April), the Rothosen were finally able to break the often-described "April curse". In the 11th attempt, they achieved their first second league success in the spring month. Now the spring cleaning is to continue: Finally, a win against the northern rivals from Kiel and sweep the "Holstein curse" out of the statistics! In the 2nd Bundesliga, the club has not yet managed to win three points in seven attempts. After two defeats in the premiere season (coach: Tim Walter), there have been five point-splits against Kiel. So it's time for this statistic to come to an end. 

124th Northern duel

Meanwhile, the match history between HSV and KSV Holstein Kiel goes back over 100 years. The premiere took place on 5 October 1919 with a 4:1 away win for the Rothosen. On the 29th matchday of this season, the two clubs will now meet for the 124th time. The Störche are thus one of only 14 clubs against whom HSV has played 100 times or more and occupy 8th place in this ranking (1. Werder = 194 games, 2. FCSP = 140, 3. FCB = 135). The overall balance is clearly in favour of the Hamburg team. 77 wins compare to 25 draws and 27 defeats. 

Possession & Passing is the aim

At Kiel's Holstein Stadium, the two teams that have claimed the most possession in the previous 28 matchdays of the season will meet. HSV clearly lead this ranking with 62.7 per cent, Kiel follow in second place with 55.2 per cent. In the first leg, by the way, the Rothosen also clearly won this statistic with 58:42 percent. Both clubs are also top of the league in terms of passing accuracy: HSV are in front with 86%, the Störche follow in second place with 83.3%.