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Koln vs Holstein Kiel Predictions & Tips - Koln backed to win at home
- Koln vs Holstein Kiel predictions for Wednesday’s Bundesliga Playoff
- The 1st leg is being played at 5.30pm BST at RheinEnergieStadion
- Holstein Kiel have conceded 8 goals in their last 3 matches
- Koln have kept 2 straight clean sheets and can win at home
- Preview, predictions, stats & team news
Koln have won 2 of their last 3 home matches (Getty Images)
Koln vs Holstein Kiel Predictions
Koln’s defence has been rock solid in recent weeks while Holstein Kiel have conceded eight goals in three matches. With Kiel missing two influential midfielders, I am backing Koln to win the first leg.
- Koln have won 2 of their last 3 home matches (Bundesliga).
- Koln have kept clean sheets in their last 2 matches (Bundesliga).
- Koln have won 4-0 in their last home match against Holstein Kiel (2 Bundesliga).
- Holstein Kiel have lost their last 2 matches (2 Bundesliga).
- Holstein Kiel have lost 4 of their last 6 away matches (all competitions).
- Holstein Kiel have conceded 8 goals in their last 3 matches (2 Bundesliga).
Head to Head
Koln have a 1-0 advantage against Holstein Kiel with 1 draw in 2 matches.
They met in the 2018/19 2 Bundesliga season, a 1-1 draw in Kiel followed by Koln winning 4-0 at home.
Koln Form
Koln won three of their last five games of the season to avoid automatic relegation.
The decision to sack Markus Gisdol and bring in Friedhelm Funkel to manage until the end of the season looks to be paying dividends.
Funkel’s side beat Leipzig 2-1 and Augsburg 3-2 before a 4-1 home defeat to Freiburg. The Billy Goats then drew 0-0 at Hertha Berlin before hosting Schalke on the final day.
Koln won 1-0 with Sebastiaan Bornauw heading home the winning goal in the 86th minute. The three points combined with Werder Bremen losing saw them climb out of the relegation zone.
Koln Injuries & Team News
Left winger Ismail Jakobs and midfielder Ellyes Skhiri are available after suspension and should start.
Holstein Kiel Form
Holstein Kiel will be kicking themselves after failing to secure automatic promotion to the Bundesliga. They won four straight but lost their last two games of the season.
The Storks beat Sandhausen, St. Pauli, Hannover and Jahn Regensburg at home to get into a great position for promotion.
Ole Werner’s side then lost 3-2 at Karlsruher despite a goal to Janni Serra establishing a 1-0 half time lead.
Holstein Kiel returned home for the final game of the season. They lost 3-2 against Darmstadt, Serra scoring first once again but their suspect defence coming back to haunt them.
Holstein Kiel Injuries & Team News
Left back Mikkel Kirkeskov and midfielder Ahmet Arslan are injured.
Midfielders Alexander Mühling and Jonas Meffert are suspended.
Centre back Stefan Thesker remains is doubtful.
Verdict
Koln have been very solid in defence in their last two matches. They meet a Holstein Kiel side missing two first choice central midfielders and conceding plenty of goals.
The stage is set for Koln to win the first leg.
The stage is set for Koln to win the first leg.
