Holstein Kiel vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach preview: Pivotal clash at both ends of the table | OneFootball

Holstein Kiel

Marcel Rapp's side remain at the foot of the table and are running out of time to rescue their top-flight status, having registered just one win in their last 14 league outings. That said, a spirited 1-1 draw away at RB Leipzig last weekend gave Die Storche a much-needed boost in belief, even if a late penalty denied them all three points.

The result leaves Kiel three points behind 16th-placed Heidenheim, with their superior goal difference offering a glimmer of hope that survival, via the relegation playoff, is still achievable. However, home form remains a major concern. Rapp's men have claimed just one victory at Holstein-Stadion in 2025 and head into this weekend on the back of consecutive defeats in their own backyard.

Victory over Gladbach on Saturday would be just Kiel’s fifth of the season and their first in nearly two months. If they manage it, they could leapfrog into the relegation playoff position, reigniting their survival push with four games left to play.

Team News

Holstein Kiel face a defensive crisis, with centre-backs Patrick Erras, Ivan Nekic, Colin Noah Kleine-Bekel and Marco Komenda all ruled out through injury. David Zac is also a doubt due to a concussion, so Carl Johansson may be forced into the back three alongside Marko Ivezic and Timo Becker.

Jann-Fiete Arp misses out through suspension, while Lewis Holtby and Andu Yobel Kelati are sidelined with thigh and knee issues, respectively.

Borussia Mönchengladbach

Borussia Mönchengladbach arrive in Kiel still chasing European qualification, though Gerardo Seoane’s side have stuttered in April, going winless in three with one draw and two defeats. Their latest outing ended in a frustrating 3-2 loss to Borussia Dortmund, despite taking an early lead through Ko Itakura.

The defeat dropped Gladbach to ninth, though they remain just three points off sixth-placed Mainz and a potential Conference League berth. With just five points separating fourth and ninth in the table, each result in the final run-in could prove decisive.

Gladbach have been far stronger on the road of late, losing only once in their last six Bundesliga away matches, a run that includes four wins and a draw. A return to winning ways on Saturday could propel Die Fohlen as high as seventh and put them level on points with Mainz, albeit behind on goal difference.

Team News

Borussia Mönchengladbach are dealing with illness in the squad, with Yvandro Borges Sanches and Philipp Sander unlikely to feature. Rocco Reitz is expected to partner Julian Weigl in midfield, while Franck Honorat, Robin Hack and Alassane Plea should support striker Tim Kleindienst in attack.

Nathan N'Goumou remains out with an Achilles injury, and first-choice goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas is still sidelined with a groin problem.