Holstein Kiel beat Karlsruher SC 1-0 on Saturday. Lewis Holtby scored the winning goal in the 57th minute.
Kiel are now five points ahead of HSV in the relegation place. Coach Marcel Rapp expects Carl Johansson and Steven Skrzybski to return in the foreseeable future. The Swedish newcomer Alexander Bernhardsson made his starting eleven debut for Holstein. Striker Benedikt Pichler made his first appearance in more than four months after a long injury break.