Holstein Kiel – Borussia Dortmund
Our Kiel – Dortmund prediction is: Dortmund win – 1.49 odds
- Kiel is in 17th place and Dortmund in 8th place
- Kiel have the weakest defense in the league with 41 goals conceded
- Dortmund has the stronger squad
Holstein Kiel host Borussia Dortmund at the Holstein Stadium. Kiel are currently in 17th place in the table with just eight points and are fighting against the threat of relegation. Most recently, the team suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat against Freiburg, but had previously sent a sign of life with a surprising 5-1 win against Augsburg. Nevertheless, the defense remains the biggest weakness for the north Germans, with 41 goals conceded already.
Borussia Dortmund, currently eighth in the table with 25 points, has had a mixed season so far. Across all competitions, BVB have only won one of their last five games, drawing two and losing two. Last weekend, Dortmund lost the top game against Bayer Leverkusen 2-3, which once again revealed the team’s defensive vulnerability (25 goals conceded). Despite everything, BVB has proven its strength in offense, scoring a total of 30 goals in the current season.
Dortmund go into the game as favorites, but Holstein Kiel’s poor form and fighting spirit, who want to get important points in the relegation battle in front of their home crowd, could make the game more exciting than expected. Who grabs the three points in the end, you can find out in our Kiel – Dortmund betting tip.
Kiel – Dortmund info
- Date & Time: 01/14/2025, 6:30 p.m.
- Venue: Holstein Stadium, Kiel
- Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 17
- TV broadcast/livestream: SKY
Kiel Form & Bilanz Check
Holstein Kiel lost 2-3 to SC Freiburg at the Europa-Park Stadium at the weekend. In the 23rd minute, an unfortunate own goal from Kiel’s Nathaniel Remberg gave the hosts the lead when he deflected Eren Dinkci’s pass into his own net. Shortly before half-time, Freiburg captain Christian Günter made it 2-0 in the 38th minute with a directly converted free-kick.
Freiburg continued to dominate after the break and extended their lead to 3-0 in the 74th minute through Vincenzo Grifo, who scored after being set up by Ritsu Doan. In the final stages, Kiel showed some spirit: Philipp Harres scored the 1:3 in the 85th minute and reduced the deficit to 2:3 in the 90th minute. Despite this late comeback, the visitors were unable to equalize. With this victory, Freiburg consolidated its position in the top third of the table, while Kiel remains in the relegation battle.
Weakest defense
Holstein Kiel With 41 goals conceded, Kiel has the worst defense in the Bundesliga, which has contributed significantly to the team currently being in second-last place in the table. The defensive weaknesses run like a red thread through the season and have repeatedly cost Kiel important points in the fight against relegation. To avoid being relegated, the defense must be stabilized urgently.
Kiel Facts & Analysis
- 17th place in the Bundesliga
- With 41 goals conceded, the most in the league
- Only one win in the last five Bundesliga games
Dortmund Form & Record Check
Borussia Dortmund lost 2-3 at home to Bayer Leverkusen at Signal Iduna Park. Nathan Tella put the visitors in the lead after just 25 seconds, when Dortmund’s defense lost the ball under pressure from Leverkusen’s pressing. Patrik Schick made it 2-0 to Leverkusen in the 8th minute.
Dortmund, however, struck back quickly, with Jamie Gittens reducing the deficit to 1-2 in the 12th minute. Despite the goal, Schick restored Leverkusen’s two-goal lead in the 19th minute with his second goal. In the second half, Dortmund pushed forward and were rewarded in the 79th minute when Serhou Guirassy scored from the penalty spot to make it 2:3.
Despite intensive efforts in the final phase, the hosts were unable to equalize. This victory brought Leverkusen closer to league leaders Bayern Munich, while Dortmund suffered their first home defeat of the season. Coach Xabi Alonso praised his team’s discipline and commitment after the game. Dortmund, on the other hand, had to do without several key players due to injuries and illnesses, which had a negative impact on their defensive performance.
Crisis in Dortmund
It’s a constant up and down for Borussia Dortmund at the moment. Under coach Nuri Sahin, the team lacks the consistency and dominance that we have been accustomed to seeing from Dortmund in the past. Across all competitions, BVB has only managed four wins in their last ten games, with three draws and three defeats. For a club with Dortmund’s aspirations, this record is disappointing and a clear step backwards.
Sahin is under pressure because his team is showing weaknesses, especially in defense, and seems disorganized at times. Offensively, too, the creativity and penetration that once distinguished Dortmund are often missing. The coach urgently needs to find solutions to get the team back on the road to success. Otherwise, a season that falls well short of expectations is a horror scenario for BVB and its fans.
Dortmund Facts & Analysis
- 8th place in the Bundesliga
- Only one win in the last five matches across all competitions
- Dortmund leads the head-to-head comparison with two wins in two games against Kiel
Holstein Kiel are fielding a 3-4-2-1 formation against Dortmund, which relies on stability in defense and quick transitions. The two attacking midfielders are behind the lone striker and are tasked with creating moments of creativity and danger in front of goal.
Dortmund, on the other hand, will play in a 4-1-3-2 system characterized by a stable defense and a flexible offense. The sole six is to direct the game from the depth, while the two strikers provide penetrating power in the attack.
Kiel – Dortmund direct comparison & statistics
In direct comparisons between the two teams, Dortmund has so far clearly come out on top: BVB has won both previous meetings. Dortmund will also go into the upcoming game as favorites and want to live up to their role.
Direct comparison (H2H)
