VfL Bochum to Face Holstein Kiel in Bundesliga Relegation Playoff

Bochum Looking to Stay In Top Flight

VfL Bochum 1848, currently 16th in the Bundesliga, will face Holstein Kiel, the third-place team from 2. Bundesliga, in a two-legged relegation playoff to determine who will play in the top flight next season. The first leg will be played on May 26th in Kiel, with the second leg taking place on May 29th in Bochum.

Kiel Aiming for Promotion

Holstein Kiel will be looking to earn promotion to the Bundesliga for the first time in their history. The club has been in 2. Bundesliga since 2017 and has finished in the top three in each of the last four seasons. Kiel will be hoping to use their home advantage in the first leg to take a lead into the second leg.

Bochum Hoping to Avoid Relegation

VfL Bochum will be looking to avoid relegation to 2. Bundesliga for the first time since 2010. The club has been in the Bundesliga since 2015 and has finished in the bottom half of the table in each of the last three seasons. Bochum will be hoping to use their experience in the top flight to their advantage in the relegation playoff.

Peter Zeidler to Coach Kiel

Holstein Kiel will be coached in the relegation playoff by Peter Zeidler, who took over as manager in December 2021. Zeidler has a good record in the 2. Bundesliga, having led FC St. Pauli to promotion to the Bundesliga in 2019. He will be hoping to use his experience to help Kiel earn promotion to the top flight.

Bochum to be Coached by Thomas Reis

VfL Bochum will be coached in the relegation playoff by Thomas Reis, who has been in charge of the club since 2019. Reis has a good record in the Bundesliga, having led Bochum to a 10th-place finish in the 2020/21 season. He will be hoping to use his experience to help Bochum avoid relegation.

Match Preview

The first leg of the relegation playoff will be played on May 26th at Holstein-Stadion in Kiel. The second leg will be played on May 29th at Vonovia Ruhrstadion in Bochum. The winner of the playoff will earn a place in the Bundesliga for the 2023/24 season, while the loser will play in the 2. Bundesliga.