Wolfsburg 3-1 Holstein Kiel - Bundesliga Qualification 2017/2018 Statistical Preview

Player

Reason

Status

Admir Mehmedi

Out

Victor Osimhen

Out

Sebastian Jung

Out

Marcel Tisserand

Out

Paul Verhaegh

Doubtful

Daniel Didavi

Doubtful

Ignacio Camacho

Doubtful

Riechedly Bazoer

Doubtful

Paul Jaeckel

Doubtful

Player

Reason

Status

Dominik Schmidt

Doubtful

Patrick Herrmann

Doubtful

Dominick Drexler

Doubtful

Team News

Wolfsburg

Holstein Kiel

If Paul Verhaegh does not recover from a head injury in time, William could switch to right-back, with Yannick Gerhardt filling in on the left.
Daniel Didavi, who would be suspended for the return leg if he picks up a booking here, is suffering from an Achilles tendon injury and might be forced to sit out again, with Yunus Malli possibly getting another chance in central midfield.
Jakub Blaszczykowski challenges Renato Steffen for the spot on the right wing.
Divock Origi will keep his spot up front after a good performance against Cologne last Saturday.

Manager Markus Anfang rested several key players in last Sunday's 6-2 win over Braunschweig, with Sebastian Heidinger, David Kinsombi, Tom Weilandt and Marvin Ducksch all one yellow card away from a one-match ban.
Anfang also gave Dominik Schmidt and Patrick Herrmann a break, but both should return to the back-four from minor injuries for this crucial match.
Steven Lewerenz might keep his spot in the starting XI,after scoring four goals against Braunschweig, with Tom Weilandt possibly remaining on the bench.
Playmaker Dominick Drexler was also rested because of an ankle injury and Kiel hope to have him back in time for kick-off.
Kingsley Schindler and target man Marvin Ducksch will be back for the visitors as well and, together with Drexler, scored 42 goals between them in the regular season.

Wolfsburg secured themselves a relegation play-off spot with a 4-1 win over already relegated Cologne on Saturday. They put in a spirited performance and showed improvements in attack, where they have struggled without Daniel Didavi lately, but Cologne had nothing to play for, which was apparent in their approach and intensity. Wolfsburg need a better performance against Kiel here to put themselves in a good position ahead of the return leg next Monday.
Kiel were only promoted from the third tier last summer and enjoyed a great season, where they boasted the 2. Bundesliga's best attack. They were already safe to finish in the play-off spot ahead of the final match day, which gave them a chance to rest many key players in their 6-2 home win over Braunschweig on Sunday, which was a huge statement and relegated the visitors to the third tier.
Expect this to be a hard-fought and intense game, with Wolfsburg certainly boasting more individual quality, but Kiel having the confidence and attacking quality to possibly score a crucial away goal.