The race for promotion to the German Bundesliga is hotting up, as nearly half the teams in Bundesliga.2 have still got a chance of winning promotion to the German top-flight for next season. However, one that seems to have a golden opportunity is Holstein Kiel, who host Sandhausen at the Holstein-Stadion on Tuesday evening.
Holstein Kiel head into the clash fourth-place in the table, two points adrift of third-place Hamburg, who currently occupy the promotion play-off spot in the Bundesliga.2.
However, the home team are also just seven points off second-place Greuther Furth, with three games in hand. In reality, Ole Werner’s team could still win automatic promotion if they win all three of those extra games.
Their recent league form suggests that they are unlikely to win all three, as the Storks have won just once in their last five outings in the German second tier.
They have seen some improvement in home form of late, though, as Holstein Kiel head into this clash on the back of a three-game winning run on home soil in the Bundesliga.2.
While Holstein Kiel dream of playing in German’s top-flight next season, Sandhausen are just hoping to remain in Bundesliga.2 in the next campaign.
The visitors are currently just a point above the relegation play-off spot and four points ahead of the automatic relegation spots. Sandhausen’s recent league form has been mixed, as a 3-2 defeat against promotion hopefuls Greuther Furth last time out ended a run of three straight league wins.
Sandhausen have been woeful on their travels this season in the second tier, as not only have they lost their last nine away games, they have also lost 13 of their previous 14 matches on the road in the German second tier.
Forebet predicts that Holstein Kiel will record a victory in a low-scoring encounter to improve their chances of playing in the Bundesliga next season.