Holstein Kiel vs Augsburg prediction: GERMANY: Bundesliga betting tips on match 2024-12-20 14:30.
[p]With the winter break taking place following this clash, Holstein Kiel would have hoped to have had more than one win to their name at this stage of the season. They have just five points on the board in total (D2, L11) and are second-bottom of the table pre-round, already finding themselves six points adrift 15th place and definite safety, meaning their first-ever Bundesliga campaign appears destined to end in relegation.[/p]
[p]Having now lost five games in a row for the first time since 2013, a fragile backbone is at the heart of Kiel’s problems, as they’ve already conceded an eye-watering 37 Bundesliga goals this term. That tally is an unwanted league-high, and last weekend, the Storks conceded four in a dismal drubbing away against Borussia Mönchengladbach (4-1), including a second goal of the campaign in the very first minute of the contest.[/p]
[p]Saturday’s opponents Augsburg have won just one of their last six Bundesliga outings (D3, L2), scoring a joint-league-low four goals during that run. The Bavarians haven’t gone well on the road so far this season either, picking up just two points (D2, L4), with that record one of the worst in the division, and they are one of five teams in the Bundesliga still waiting on a first away victory of the campaign pre-round.[/p]
[p]Just like the hosts, Jess Thorup’s side have been guilty of opening up far too easily this season, conceding the opener in three of their last four league games and keeping just two clean sheets to date, both on home soil. Augsburg aren’t exactly prolific at the other end either and have already drawn a blank in the first half eight times this season, so a slow opening period wouldn’t come as a surprise this weekend.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Summer signing Magnus Knudsen has been cautioned in the league five times for Kiel with each coming in the second half, while Augsburg’s Kristijan Jakić helped his side win all three of his H2Hs with newly-promoted sides last season, keeping a clean sheet in each of those games.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Kiel have conceded a league-high 23 first-half goals in the Bundesliga this season.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Ben Olawumi[/i][/p]