In a crucial match that will have ramifications for both the relegation battle and race for Europe in the Bundesliga, Heidenheim are set to welcome Mainz 05 to Voith-Arena on Sunday.
The hosts are third last in 16th place with 14 points and were beaten 1-0 by Freiburg on February 8, whereas their opponents are seventh with 32 points and were held to a 0-0 stalemate last Saturday by Augsburg.
Match preview
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Heidenheim created very little in the final third against Freiburg, with the club failing to produce a single big chance during the game, and their record of 26 goals scored in the top flight makes them the fifth-worst offensive side in the Bundesliga.
The home team did return to winning ways on Thursday in the first leg of their Conference League round of 16 playoff tie against Copenhagen, emerging as 2-1 victors after Thomas Leon Keller and Tim Siersleben's goals overturned their 1-0 first-half deficit.
A defeat on Sunday could be damaging for boss Frank Schmidt's side given they are only one point ahead of 17th-placed Holstein Kiel and three ahead of 18th-placed VfL Bochum, who occupy the Bundesliga's two automatic relegation spots.
Die Schwarzgelben's victory against Copenhagen was their first in six matches having lost four and drawn one of their prior five, though it was just their second win in 16 outings, with the club losing 12 in that time.
Heidenheim have also been beaten in seven of their last 10 matches at home, scoring just six goals while conceding on 18 occasions.
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The visitors come into the clash having missed all four of their big chances against Augsburg, though they did prevent their opponents from creating any big chances of their own.
Mainz have failed to find the back of the net three times in their five most recent games, and they rank as the second-worst offensive team in the top 11 having scored 33 times in the league.
Manager Bo Henriksen's side are only five points from fourth-placed RB Leipzig, who occupy the final Champions League qualification spot, and have importantly played a game less than Die Roten Bullen.
Karnevalsverein were beaten 2-0 by Heidenheim in the reverse fixture on September 28, and they have lost three, drawn one and won one of their past five in all competitions.
Mainz have also lost their last three away from home, though each of their four losses on the road in 2024-25 have been by a one-goal margin.
Team News
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Heidenheim's injury list is not extensive, but they will be unable to call upon defender Jonas Fohrenbach or winger Niklas Dorsch.
Marnon Busch could come into the XI on the left of a back four, and he may be joined in defence by Benedikt Gimber, Patrick Mainka and Haktab Omar Traore.
In the absence of Dorsch, Schmidt could play Paul Wanner, Mathias Honsak and Frans Kratzig in supporting roles behind Budu Zivzivadze.
As for Mainz, they will be without centre-back Stefan Bell, while wing-back Philipp Mwene is a doubt but should only be sidelined for a few more days at most.
Danny da Costa, Moritz Jenz and Dominik Kohr are almost certain to be stationed in a back three, and they could be flanked by wing-backs Silvan Widmer and Anthony Caci.
First-choice striker Jonathan Burkardt came on from the substitute's bench against Augsburg, but he is likely to be given a start in attack alongside Paul Nebel and Jae-sung Lee on Sunday.
Heidenheim possible starting lineup:
Muller; Traore, Mainka, Gimber, Busch; Kerber, Schoppner; Wanner, Kratzig, Honsak; Zivzivadze
Mainz 05 possible starting lineup:
Zentner; Da Costa, Jenz, Kohr; Widmer, Sano, Amiri, Caci; Nebel, Lee; Burkardt
We say: Heidenheim 1-2 Mainz 05
Heidenheim will feel they can regularly threaten Mainz's goal given the visitors have struggled on the road recently.
However, the hosts are likely to be fatigued after their exploits in Europe on Thursday, and it would not be surprising if Mainz fought their way back into the game.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
