Borussia Monchengladbach will hope to stay within touching distance of the Bundesliga's European qualification places when they welcome strugglers Holstein Kiel to Borussia Park on Saturday.
Die Fohlen are 11th with 18 points after 13 matchweeks and drew 1-1 with Borussia Dortmund on December 7, whereas their opponents are second last in 17th place with just five points and lost 2-0 against RB Leipzig last Saturday.
Match preview
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The hosts' match against Dortmund was a game of few opportunities, with each side creating just one big chance, and it should be noted that Borussia Monchengladbach's only big chance came from the penalty spot in the 71st minute.
Manager Gerardo Seoane was happy with his side's defensive display but lamented his players' performances in the final third, telling reporters: "I don't really have any complaints about how we defended. I'm less happy with our attacking performance; we made too many technical mistakes and failed to take advantage of good situations."
Die Fohlen are three points from sixth-placed Borussia Dortmund and fifth-placed Wolfsburg, who occupy the division's Conference League and Europa League qualification spots respectively.
Seoane's team are winless in their last two, but they have only lost once in their five most recent outings, winning two while scoring eight and conceding five.
It should be said that Borussia Monchengladbach boast a strong home record, with the club having won four and drawn one of their past five matches at Borussia Park.
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Meanwhile, Holstein Kiel failed to take advantage of a struggling RB Leipzig side, who had lost three of their prior four league games, squandering their two big chances and 17 attempts from inside the box against Die Roten Bullen.
Boss Marcel Rapp will no doubt be concerned that his team have already conceded 33 goals in the Bundesliga, the second-worst defensive record in the top flight.
Holstein Kiel are already five points behind 16th-placed Heidenheim - who are in the league's relegation playoff spot - and are six points from 15th-placed St Pauli.
Rapp's side are in poor form, with the club having lost seven and triumphed in just one of their eight most recent outings.
The visitors' record on the road is also alarming given they have lost their last four, and drew two and lost one of the prior three fixtures away from home.
Team News
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Borussia Monchengladbach have two confirmed injury absentees, with midfielder Florian Neuhaus and Grant-Leon Ranos ruled out, though the former is nearing a return.
Tim Kleindienst is almost certain to start as a striker, while Rocco Reitz and Philipp Sander are likely to partner each other in midfield given Julian Weigl is suspended.
Winger Tomas Cvancara is also suspended, and considering defender Luca Netz is a doubt, perhaps Joseph Scally, Nico Elvedi, Ko Itakura and Lukas Ullrich will be chosen to start in the back four.
Holstein Kiel centre-backs Colin Kleine-Bekel and Marco Komenda, as well as wing-back Timo Becker will not be available on Saturday.
Fellow defender Patrick Erras is unlikely to be involved as a result of a concussion, and their absences could lead Rapp to select Marko Ivezic, Marvin Schulz and Max Geschwill in a back three.
Lasse Rosenboom and Finn Porath may be fielded as wing-backs, with Armin Gigovic, Magnus Knudsen and Nicolai Remberg candidates to start in the middle of the pitch.
Borussia Monchengladbach possible starting lineup:
Nicolas; Scally, Elvedi, Itakura, Ullrich; Reitz, Sander; Honorat, Stoger, Plea; Kleindienst
Holstein Kiel possible starting lineup:
Weiner; Ivezic, Schulz, Geschwill; Rosenboom, Gigovic, Knudsen, Remberg, Porath; Machino, Harres
We say: Borussia Monchengladbach 2-0 Holstein Kiel
Bochum have been poor defensively this season, and it is difficult to see how they can keep a clean sheet on Saturday.
Additionally, Borussia Monchengladbach's impressive form at home should make them strong favourites ahead of their relegation-threatened opponents.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
