Heidenheim will hope that the winter break can help them kickstart their season and escape the relegation zone, starting with a win on Saturday at Voith Arena in the Bundesliga against Union Berlin.
The hosts are third last in 16th place with just 10 points and ended 2024 in the relegation playoff spot after losing 2-0 against VfL Bochum on December 22, while the away side are in 12th place with 17 points but lost 4-1 against Werder Bremen on December 21.
Match preview
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Heidenheim's defeat at the hands of last-placed Bochum was perhaps their most concerning performance of the season, especially as they did not create a single big chance against a team that had failed to win any of their other 15 games in 2024-25.
Manager Frank Schmidt will be particularly disappointed by his side's defending for Bochum's second goal considering his players lost the ball needlessly in their penalty area when trying to play out from the back and did not close down goalscorer Matus Bero.
In the Bundesliga, Schmidt's side have scored 18 goals and conceded 33 times, and these are the division's fifth best offensive and third worst defensive records.
Heidenheim's form is alarming given they are winless in their nine most recent games and have lost eight of those matches.
The hosts have also failed to achieve victory at home in their last seven at Voith Arena, succumbing to defeat five times.
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Opponents Union Berlin come into the clash with Steffen Baumgart in the dugout as opposed to Bo Svensson, who had not led the team to a win since October 20.
Baumgart managed to find the back of the net on 22 occasions in 68 appearances for Union between 2002 and 2004, though he was sacked from his previous role as Hamburger SV boss in Germany's second tier last November after less than a year in charge.
Die Eisernen only conceded four goals in their first seven Bundesliga games this term, but have since conceded 15 in their subsequent eight league matches, while only scoring six in that time.
Union's form is concerning, with the club having failed to win in any of their last eight fixtures in the top flight, losing four of their past five.
The visitors have also lost their four most recent away Bundesliga games, and have in fact won just two of their last 24 league matches on the road.
Team News
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Heidenheim boss Schmidt has a relatively full squad to choose from, though forward Marvin Pieringer is suspended, while midfielder Julian Niehues is not scheduled to return from injury until the end of January.
Fans can expect to see a midfield double pivot consisting of Niklas Dorsch and Jan Schoppner, while Paul Wanner could play in an advanced role.
In the forward line, Leo Scienza and Mathias Honsak are probable candidates to flank striker Mikkel Kaufmann.
Union will be without midfielder Rani Khedira, who is suspended, while Laszlo Benes is a doubt, so perhaps Andras Schafer and Aljoscha Kemlein will start together in the centre of the pitch.
Strikers Andrej Ilic and Ivan Prtajin have been ruled out, and this could mean that Jordan Siebatcheu is set to feature in a front two alongside Benedict Hollerbach.
Goalkeepers Frederik Ronnow and Yannic Stein, as well as defender Jerome Roussillon, are not likely to appear on Saturday, though centre-back Kevin Vogt has a good chance of making the XI.
Heidenheim possible starting lineup:
Muller; Traore, Mainka, Gimber, Fohrenbach; Dorsch, Schoppner; Scienza, Wanner, Honsak; Kaufmann
Union Berlin possible starting lineup:
Schwolow; Doekhi, Vogt, Leite; Trimmel, Schafer, Kemlein, Rothe; Skov; Siebatcheu, Hollerbach
We say: Heidenheim 1-1 Union Berlin
Heidenheim should come into the weekend's game as favourites given the extensive injury list of their opponents.
However, Union could benefit from the new manager bounce and at least achieve a draw away from home, defying their recent record on the road.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
