2. Bundesliga preview: Holstein Kiel vs. SV Elversberg | OneFootball

2. Bundesliga preview: Holstein Kiel vs. SV Elversberg | OneFootball

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·27 février 2026

2. Bundesliga preview: Holstein Kiel vs. SV Elversberg

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Holstein Kiel

Kiel arrive at a crossroads. Four consecutive league defeats have dragged them down to 14th place, just one point above the relegation play-off spot, prompting decisive action from the board. Marcel Rapp has departed, with Tim Walter returning for a second spell in charge - the former HSV boss now tasked with restoring belief and steering the Storks away from danger.

Rapp’s final match encapsulated their recent struggles: a 3-1 defeat in Karlsruhe in which Kiel trailed 3-0 before Marcus Müller’s 95th-minute consolation did little more than salvage pride. Defensive frailties and a lack of cutting edge have defined this slump, and Walter’s immediate challenge is to inject both structure and courage into a fragile side.


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The new head coach has made his intentions clear:

“I want to instill in the lads the idea that you can have a lot of fun playing football if you're courageous and play with intensity. They're already displaying that attitude. I will give everything to be successful together with my players. They should feel the trust and take the initiative,”

Improving home form is top of the agenda. Kiel have won just two of their last five at the Holstein-Stadion and have beaten Elversberg only once in five previous meetings - a record they will be eager to improve under new leadership.

Team news: Patrick Erras, Carl Johansson and Steven Skrzybski are unavailable. 

Predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Krumrey (GK) - Nekic, Zec, Komenda, Tolkin - Meffert, Tohumcu - Kaprálik, Kelati, Therkelsen - Harres 

SV Elversberg

Elversberg’s form in 2026 has been patchy on the surface - three wins from their opening six fixtures of the calendar year - yet they continue to deliver when it matters most. Vincent Wagner’s side sit third, just one point off second place and only one above fourth, keeping them firmly in the thick of the promotion race.

Their 3-1 home win over Eintracht Braunschweig last time out was both controlled and clinical. Lukas Petkov’s first-half brace set the tone before David Mokwa added a second-half strike to secure back-to-back victories and reinforce Die Elv’s credentials as genuine contenders.

Wagner is wary of Kiel’s new-manager bounce but remains focused on his own team’s identity:

“We'll be facing a good opponent. Whether they play their usual system or switch to a more proactive style of football remains to be seen. It will certainly be a challenge to quickly discern Kiel's game plan on the day. But we are capable of adapting to such situations and reacting accordingly. We're focusing on ourselves and how we want to play football.”

Elversberg claimed the reverse fixture in dramatic fashion, Otto Stange converting a 95th-minute penalty to seal victory in September. They will also take confidence from their away record, having lost just one of their last six on the road.

Team news: Bambasé Conté is a doubt; otherwise, Wagner has a near full-strength squad at his disposal.

Predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Kristof (GK) - Gyamerah, Pinckert, Rohr, Günther - Condé, Poreba - Petkov, Pherai, Zimmerschied - Mokwa 

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