Holstein Kiel vs Wolfsburg prediction: GERMANY: Bundesliga betting tips on match 2024-08-30 13:30.
[p]For the first time in Holstein Kiel’s 123-year history, they finally graced the Bundesliga stage last week and gave a great account of themselves despite losing 3-2 to Hoffenheim. That was the same scoreline they were victorious by in their DFB-Pokal tie against Alemannia Aachen prior to the league season kicking off, indicating they could be a neutral favourite to follow for entertainment in this campaign.[/p]
[p]Both those games were away from home, meaning the Holstein-Stadion faithful have had to wait patiently for their turn in the limelight. The Storks will be eager to reward their fans’ patience, but getting off to a good start isn’t assured given they lost a sizeable six home league matches in the second division last term. The competition will be more fierce this year, meaning the home side needs to be focused from the start if they are to avoid becoming just the second team among the last ten Bundesliga debutants to lose their first two top-flight fixtures.[/p]
[p]Looking to make that a reality will be Wolfsburg, whose six-game unbeaten streak on the Bundesliga’s opening day (W4, D2) came crashing down when they relinquished the lead to lose 3-2 to Bayern Munich. That leaves Ralph Hasenhüttl’s men at risk of creating their own unwanted piece of history since Wolfsburg have only once before started a top-flight campaign with two consecutive defeats, that being in 2010/11.[/p]
[p]To avoid such fate, the Wolves will be keen to emulate last season’s performances against then-promoted sides Heidenheim and Darmstadt, against whom they claimed ten points from a possible 12 (W3, D1), keeping three clean sheets en route. The visitors also have the edge on their hosts in their only two previous meetings this century, when Wolfsburg claimed 3-1 and 1-0 victories home and away respectively in the 2017/18 Bundesliga relegation playoffs.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Alexander Bernhardsson was the scorer of Holstein Kiel’s first-ever Bundesliga goal against Hoffenheim, and he’ll be looking to find the net once again since 14 of his 18 prior goals were all scored at home. Similarly on song for Wolfsburg in their opener was Lovro Majer, whose quick-fire brace early in the second half means he’s now scored five of his last ten club goals between minutes 46-60.[/p]
[p]Hot streak: Wolfsburg haven’t drawn any of their last 13 competitive matches (W5, L8).[/p]
[p][i]Written by Peter Stavrinou[/i][/p]