Needing victory and a six-goal swing to avoid the Bundesliga’s relegation playoff place, Heidenheim will host Werder Bremen on Saturday.
While Werder’s hopes of qualifying for Europe are all but over, their hosts sit just three points behind 15th-placed Hoffenheim, who must play Bayern Munich on the final day.
Match preview
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Bouncing back from a string of three consecutive defeats, Heidenheim have recently started to sprint for the finish line, as they try to avoid demotion from the Bundesliga.
By posting seven points – plus a trio of clean sheets – from their last three games, the small club from Baden-Wurttemberg have swerved automatic relegation, as last week’s 3-0 win over Union Berlin ensures they will finish no lower than 16th.
An unlikely hero, Adrian Beck scored twice in the German capital, netting as many goals as in his previous 39 top-flight matches combined and consigning plucky Holstein Kiel to the drop.
As things stand, Heidenheim will contest a playoff against the third-placed team in 2.Bundesliga. Yet, if they win this weekend and Hoffenheim lose to new champions Bayern, a six-goal shift in goal difference could see the pair swap places.
Throughout the three-points-per-win era, only Borussia Monchengladbach in 1998 and Stuttgart in 2022 have ever made up a three-point deficit to 15th on the final matchday, so history is not on their side.
Though Frank Schmidt‘s men can finish with a flourish by going four league games without defeat for the first time this season, they have managed just one win from their last eight home fixtures, failing to score in each of the last three.
Furthermore, falling behind could prove fatal: Heidenheim have only picked up two points from losing positions – a league low by some distance. One actually came from January’s reverse fixture in Bremen, when they fought back three times for a thrilling 3-3 draw, but they now need a win and a prayer.
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After letting victory slip through their fingers at the Weserstadion earlier this season, Werder Bremen have yet to beat Heidenheim in the Bundesliga, claiming just one point from three meetings so far.
Nonetheless, they may be confident of ending that streak this weekend, having gone unbeaten through their last seven matches – the best ongoing run in Germany’s top flight.
Ole Werner‘s side have moved onto 48 points from 33 games – already representing the club’s best Bundesliga season in six years – but any lingering hopes of playing in Europe next term are all but over.
Last week’s 0-0 draw with RB Leipzig left Die Grun-Weissen three points behind both of their top-six rivals, Mainz and Leipzig. So, even if Werder win and their competitors lose on the final day, it would take an incredible swing in goal difference to claim sixth place.
They may only be playing for pride, but signing off in style will be their aim: while Heidenheim sit bottom of the home standings with 11 points, Bremen are third in the away table on 27, suggesting the visitors should start as firm favourites.
Team News
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After missing out last week, when Frank Feller deputised between the posts, Heidenheim can welcome back first-choice goalkeeper Kevin Muller, who should start behind a back three of Benedikt Gimber and Tim Siersleben and captain Patrick Mainka.
The latter has played every minute of his club’s 67 Bundesliga fixtures to date, and the last outfield player to feature in each minute of his first two top-flight seasons was Oliver Kreuzer for Karlsruher in 1987-88 and 1988-89.
Once again, the hosts will be without Sirlord Conteh (knee) due to injury, while Luka Janes (muscular) is also a doubt.
Meanwhile, Werder may only be missing Scottish forward Oliver Burke, who is still struggling with a foot problem; Serbian centre-back Milos Veljkovic should now be available.
If passed fit, Burke would join Marvin Ducksch up front, but Justin Njinmah is on standby to start if required.
Heidenheim possible starting lineup:
Muller; Mainka, Gimber, Siersleben; Traore, Schoppner, Dorsch, Kratzig; Wanner, Beck; Pieringer
Werder Bremen possible starting lineup:
Zetterer; Stark, Friedl, Pieper; Weiser, Lynen, Stage, Schmid, Agu; Njinmah, Ducksch
We say: Heidenheim 0-1 Werder Bremen
Just when it really matters, Heidenheim have found new depths of defensive resilience, but they must host a Werder Bremen side that truly excels on the road.
Suiting neither club, a slim Werder win should see the visitors finish outside of the European places, while their hosts are surely facing a playoff for survival.
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