Holstein Kiel host Eintracht Frankfurt in weekend clash.

After earning their maiden point of the season with a late draw against Bochum, Holstein Kiel will be looking to build on the momentum when they face Frankfurt at home this weekend. Holstein Kiel vs. Eintracht Frankfurt kicks off at 14:30 [GMT+1] on Sunday, September 29 at the Holstein-Stadion. Bundesliga debutants Kiel managed to salvage a point last weekend, thanks to a late equaliser from Japanese forward Shuto Machino [89']. Despite the win, the Storks still find themselves at the bottom of the Bundesliga standings after four games, having conceded a league-high 13 goals and securing just one point from four games [LLLD]. Their shaky start puts them in bad company, as no Bundesliga debutant outside of the inaugural 1963/64 season has claimed fewer points in their first four matches. The last teams to do so were SSV Ulm in 1999/00 and FC Homburg in 1986/87, both of whom also had just one point after four games. Holstein Kiel will be looking for a better outcome when they face Frankfurt, a side they have only met once before in a competitive match. That game came in the first round of the 1996/97 DFB-Pokal, where Dragoslav Stepanović’s Frankfurt side claimed a 4-2 win. Marcel Rapp is expected to maintain the 3— 4—3 formation, with Shuto Machino, fresh from his match-winning goal, leading the attack alongside Benedikt Pichler and Lewis Holtby. However, Kiel will face some challenges, with key players Steven Skrzybski doubtful and Colin Kleine-Bekel sidelined due to injuries. On the other hand, Eintracht Frankfurt will be looking to bounce back from a frustrating midweek result in the Europa League. Frankfurt led Viktoria Plzen 3-1 with less than 25 minutes left on the clock, only to concede late goals from Prince Adu [86'] and Václav Jamelka [90+3'] respectively, resulting in a 3-3 draw. After the match, manager Dino Toppmöller voiced his frustration: "We went 3-1 up and had a chance to make it 4-1, but again we didn’t take it." Despite the setback, Frankfurt’s Bundesliga form remains impressive. The Eagles are coming off three consecutive league wins [LWWW], their first such streak under Toppmöller. They last managed a run like this in December 2021, under Oliver Glasner. With nine points from four games, this is Frankfurt’s best Bundesliga start in eight years, having also collected nine points under Niko Kovač in 2016/17. Frankfurt’s form against newly promoted teams has been impressive, as they are unbeaten in their last 11 Bundesliga matches against such opponents [8W, 3D, 0L]. Toppmöller is expected to deploy a 4—4—2 formation, with Hugo Ekitike partnering Omar Marmoush in attack. However, the Eagles will be without Oscar Höjlund and Mehdi Loune, while Robin Koch remains in doubt.