The 2. Bundesliga season concludes this Sunday with Holstein Kiel hosting Hannover 96 at the Heinz von Heiden-Arena. While both teams’ fates are sealed – Kiel secured promotion to the Bundesliga, and Hannover will remain in the second division – a second-place finish is still up for grabs for Holstein Kiel.

Kiel’s Recent Form Earns Them Promotion, Hannover on an Unbeaten Run

Holstein Kiel comes into the match on the back of a 1-1 draw against Fortuna Düsseldorf, solidifying their second-place position with 65 points, just one point behind league leaders St. Pauli. They boast a comfortable five-point lead over third-placed Fortuna Düsseldorf, guaranteeing their return to the top flight. Meanwhile, Hannover 96 enters the match with nothing to play for other than pride, having secured their spot in the 2. Bundesliga for next season. They are currently positioned sixth in the league table with 52 points, and their recent form reflects their relaxed state, with a three-match unbeaten run (two wins and a draw).

Holstein Holds the Historical Advantage Against Hannover

Head-to-head history favors Holstein Kiel in this matchup. They emerged victorious in their last encounter against Hannover in December, dominating with a convincing 3-0 win at Holstein-Stadion. Jann-Fiete Arp led the charge with a first-half brace, and Timo Becker added another goal to secure the win. In fact, Holstein Kiel remains undefeated in their last three meetings against Hannover (two wins and a draw), outscoring them 9-2 in this stretch. Hannover will be looking to break this trend and secure their first league victory over Holstein Kiel since February 2022.

Key Players Look to Shine on Both Sides

Both teams have players who have been instrumental in their respective campaigns. For Holstein Kiel, Steven Skrzybski (10 goals), Benedikt Pichler (eight goals), and Timo Becker (seven goals) have been their primary attacking threats. Hannover 96 relies on the goal-scoring prowess of Cedric Teuchert (11 goals) and Andreas Voglsammer (eight goals) to find the net.

Contrasting Home and Away Form Sets the Stage

The venue for this match could play a role in determining the outcome. Hannover boasts a decent home record this season, with eight wins, six draws, and only two losses in their sixteen 2. Bundesliga home fixtures. In contrast, Holstein Kiel thrives on the road, amassing an impressive record of eleven wins, three draws, and just two defeats in away league matches. Furthermore, they are currently on a seven-match unbeaten away run (five wins and two draws), with their last away defeat coming against Greuther Fürth in late January.