Hoffenheim vs Holstein Kiel prediction: GERMANY: Bundesliga betting tips on match 2024-08-23 13:30.
[p]After getting their competitive season underway with a laboured penalties victory over fourth-tier Würzburger Kickers in the DFB-Pokal, Hoffenheim must now begin their Bundesliga campaign in earnest against top-flight new boys Holstein Kiel. The Sinheim outfit have had a busy summer of transfers ahead of this big day, with the loss of Maximilian Beier to Dortmund paving the way for the eye-catching signing of forward Adam Hložek, amongst others. [/p]
[p]Having either scored or conceded a second league-high total of 132 goals in 2023/24, the stage is set for another entertaining Hoffenheim season as far as the neutrals are concerned. Games against promoted sides often followed in the same vein for the Sinsheimers last time around too, with their four games against last season’s promoted sides produced a whopping 19 goals (W2, D2). [/p]
[p]This is a special game for Kiel boss Marcel Rapp for a number of reasons, as not only does he lead his team out as the 58th different Bundesliga participant since its 1963 inception, but Kiel are also the very first Bundesliga representatives from the state of Schleswig-Holstein. Another poignant bit of context is the fact that Rapp returns to Hoffenheim for a first league H2H after working at the club in a number of managerial roles between 2013-2021.[/p]
[p]His side travel here after posting a stunning 2023/24 campaign in which they recorded a club record six straight 2.Bundesliga wins, all with clean sheets, en route to earning their maiden top-flight promotion. The level of challenge in remaining at this level cannot be understated, if not by the miniscule transfer spending then by history itself, as 58 of the 152 promoted sides since 1964 faced immediate relegation from the Bundesliga. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Looking to make an immediate impact for new club Hoffenheim will be wideman Alexander Prass, who opened the scoring in four of his last five goalscoring appearances. Holstein Kiel will also be looking for a fast start from 33-year-old journeyman captain Lewis Holtby, after three of his last four goals served to open the scoring in games which his side won by a single-goal margin. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Both teams scored in a Bundesliga-high 15 of Hoffenheim’s 17 home games last season (88%). [/p]
[p][i]Written by Matthew Billon[/i][/p]