Holstein Kiel vs 1. FC Heidenheim

Holstein Kiel are the 58th Bundesliga debutants, while 1. FC Heidenheim became the 57th last season. The Storks have lost just one their last six competitive home games against FCH (all BL2), a 1-0 defeat in February 2020 (W2, D3). The last meeting between the sides in Kiel in October 2022 finished in a 3-1 win for the hosts.

With just two points from their first eight games, Holstein Kiel have made the worst start of any Bundesliga newcomer (excl. the inaugural 1963/64 season). The Storks are also the first team to concede at least two goals in each of the first eight matches in their top-flight history (also excl. 1963/64).

After back-to-back defeats, 1. FC Heidenheim picked up a point in their 0-0 draw with Hoffenheim last time out, but they are still winless in three Bundesliga games for the first time since February/March (6 games). FCH have won all three of their previous top-flight meetings with promoted sides and could now become the third team after FC Bayern and RB Leipzig to win each of their first four (no side has ever managed 5).

Holstein Kiel have lost each of the first four Bundesliga home games in their history, something that has only happened once before to a debutant excluding the inaugural 1963/64 season: SpVgg Greuther Fürth in 2012/13. Only one side has ever been beaten in each of their first five home matches of a Bundesliga campaign: Hansa Rostock in 2004/05 (lost their first 8).

With 23 goals conceded, Holstein Kiel have the league’s worst defence this season – the last promoted side to have shipped as many Bundesliga goals at this stage was Blau-Weiß 90 Berlin in 1986/87 (also 23). 1. FC Heidenheim have let in 11 goals after eight games, reducing their tally by almost half compared to last term (20) – only Leipzig (3), Union (5) and FC Bayern (7) have conceded fewer top-flight goals this season.