1. FC Köln vs Heidenheim preview: Heidenheim's must-win tie for Bundesliga safety

FC Köln 

Köln will be disappointed with the two points dropped away at Union Berlin last weekend in the league after being 2-0 up. 

They now sit six points off the bottom three in both Wolfsburg and St. Pauli with two games remaining.

Currently, the only conceivable way Köln can still go down into the 2. Bundesliga is through goal difference but even this is difficult as their goal difference is 17 better than Wolfsburg and 20 better than St. Pauli.

The Rhine side has only lost one game out of the last seven in the Bundesliga, despite only one win coming in this time period. 

At home, however, they have gotten all three of their Bundesliga wins this calendar year. 

Their goal scoring form is impressive too as the last time they have failed to score was in February against Augsburg. 

Ahead of the Heidenheim tie, Köln coach René Wagner said: “We are putting the focus heavily on winning here. That counts even if we are confirmed mathematically to be staying in the Bundesliga on Sunday.”

Team news

Ragnar Ache continues to be out alongside defenders Timo Hübers and Luca Kilian. Eric Martel is out with yellow card suspension and is expected to be replaced by Tom Krauss.

Predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):

Schwäbe - Sebulonsen, Simpson-Pusey, Özkacar, Lund - Jóhanesson, Krauß - Waldschmidt, Kamiński, Bülter - El Mala

Heidenheim

Frank Schmidt's Heidenheim managed to battle to a point away against Bayern despite being 2-0 up. This result showed the team has spirit and desire to stay up.

However, Heidenheim are in dire need of a win with three points separating them and the other bottom three teams. 

A loss on Sunday means they are guaranteed relegated as both 17th and 16th in St. Pauli and Wolfsburg play each other on the final day.

A win guarantees them to be still within a chance of staying up on the final matchday and could even see them in 16th heading into the final weekend. 

Heidenheim's Budu Zivzivadze is in top form and has scored five goals in his last four games including a double against Bayern last weekend and now is Heidenheim's top scorer this season.

Ahead of the away tie in Köln, Heidenheim coach Frank Schmidt said: “We still see the chance to remain in the Bundesliga and stay up and this is still possible with two matchdays remaining and this is all that counts.”

Team news

Leart Paqarada is out for Heidenheim alongside the Consah brothers. Mathias Honsak will also miss the final away tie of the season.

Predicted lineup (4-4-2):

Ramaj - Busch, Mainka, Föhrenbach, H. Behrens - Dinkçi, Schöppner, Dorsch, A. Ibrahimović - Pieringer, Zivzivadze