In a crucial match for both the Bundesliga's relegation battle and race for Europe, bottom-club Holstein Kiel are set to host Borussia Monchengladbach at Holstein-Stadion on Saturday.
Die Storche are desperate for their first win in eight competitive matches, while Die Fohlen will be looking to bounce back after consecutive losses.
Match preview
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Marcel Rapp's Kiel have alternated between draws and defeats across their last nine games, and with just one win in their last 14, their slim hopes of survival rely on reaching the league's relegation playoff spot.
Most recently, Die Storche earned an impressive point on the road with a 1-1 draw against Champions League regulars RB Leipzig, and though the boss will be imagining what could have been if his team had not given away a penalty with a little over 15 minutes to play, he will be happy that his players were competitive.
That stalemate moved Rapp's side three points behind 16th-placed Heidenheim, and considering their performance against Die Roten Bullen, they will feel capable of making up the ground on their rivals with four games to play.
However, with one home win in 2025 and back-to-back defeats at Holstein-Stadion ahead of this weekend, the hosts will have to defy their form to take anything against their European-hopeful opponents.
Should Kiel earn what would be only their fifth victory of the season and first since March 2, then they could find themselves in the relegation playoff spot thanks to the fact that they have the best goal difference in the bottom three.
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Meanwhile, Gerardo Seoane's Gladbach may be on the hunt for a place in UEFA competition next season, but they are still waiting for their first win of April after one draw and two losses this month.
Last time out, Die Fohlen were beaten 3-2 by rivals Borussia Dortmund, and the manager will be disappointed that his team were beaten by a flurry of first-half goals despite taking the lead through Ko Itakura.
Dropping three points on Sunday saw Seoane's side slip down to ninth after they were overtaken by both Dortmund and Werder Bremen, though they remain just three points behind sixth-placed Mainz, who occupy the division's spot for entry into the Conference League qualifiers.
With only five points separating ninth and fourth, every result will be crucial in the final stretch of the campaign, and having lost only one of their last six away games - winning four and drawing one - the visitors will be confident of getting back on track against their relegation-threatened opposition.
If Gladbach can make the most of their chance on Saturday, then they could go seventh, level on 47 points with Mainz, though they are unlikely to overcome the +10 goal difference advantage that Die Nullfunfer have.
Team News
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Kiel manager Rapp has a lengthy injury list to contend with this weekend, and his team are looking especially light in defence given that centre-backs Patrick Erras, Ivan Nekic, Colin Noah Kleine-Bekel and Marco Komenda have all been ruled out.
In their absence, expect to see Marko Ivezic and Timo Becker start in front of goalkeeper Thomas Dahne on Saturday, and if third centre-back David Zac is unable to feature as a result of his concussion, then Carl Johansson could join them.
Elsewhere, striker Jann-Fiete Arp is suspended, while midfielder Lewis Holtby and forward Andu Yobel Kelati are out with thigh and knee problems respectively.
On the other hand, Gladbach have been dealing with a bout of illness in the squad, so midfielders Yvandro Borges Sanches and Philipp Sander are likely to miss out.
As a result, Rocco Reitz should join Julian Weigl at the base of the visitors' midfield, while Franck Honorat links up with Robin Hack and Alassane Plea behind striker Tim Kleindienst.
Seoane will also be without right-winger Nathan N'goumou due to an Achilles issue, while first-choice goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas remains absent with a groin injury.
Holstein Kiel possible starting lineup:
Dahne; Becker, Johansson, Ivezic; Rosenboom, Gigovic, Remberg, Tolkin; Skrzybski; Bernhardsson, Machino
Borussia Monchengladbach possible starting lineup:
Omlin; Scally, Itakura, Elvedi, Ullrich; Reitz, Weigl; Honorat, Plea, Hack; Kleindienst
We say: Holstein Kiel 1-2 Borussia Monchengladbach
Kiel will be buoyed by their performance against Leipzig last time out and will make this weekend's clash a tough game for Gladbach.
However, other than their loss at Dortmund, Die Fohlen have been strong on the road in recent months, and they are likely to take all three points once again on Saturday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
