Borussia Dortmund vs. 1.FC Heidenheim preview: BVB seeking domestic rebound

Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund resume Bundesliga action this weekend when they host 1.FC Heidenheim this Sunday afternoon at 17:30 CET. Once again, it's a case of looking to avenge their European disappointment from Wednesday.

Despite making a strong start, late goals past the 80th-minute for Inter Milan consigned BVB to their fifth defeat in all competitions to date. Once again, domestic duties may offer a chance to raise the spirits. 

Their last outing in the German topflight - a 3-0 win over 1.FC Union Berlin - proved to be one of their better performances of the season. Emre Can,Nico Schlotterbeck and Maxi Beier all found the net in Köpenick. 

Now, they take on a Heidenheim side rooted to the bottom of the table. The Westphalians will be confident of defeating the Bavarian side whom they've yet to lose to since the visitors achieved promotion in 2023. 

Team news:

Marcel Sabitzer (calf) and Niklas Süle (back) were absent for Champions League duty on Wednesday. So too was Waldemar Anton with illness, so the 29-year-old could be back if he manages to recover in time.

Kobel is expected to be protected by Can, Anton and Schlotterbeck in defence. Couto and Svensson ought to play on the flanks with Bellingham and Nmecha centrally. In attack, Adeyemi and Brandt should support Guirassy. 

Kobel – Can, Anton, Schlotterbeck – Couto, Bellingham, Nmecha, Svensson – Adeyemi, Brandt – Guirassy

1.FC Heidenheim

As for the visitors 1.FC Heidenheim, they're still hoping to pick up their first win of 2026. Frank Schmidt's side have gone six games without picking up the maximum reward with just two points taken in that spell. 

What's made things tricky for Heidenheim is the fact their recent performances haven't been bad. Last weekend, they held RB Leipzig at bay until the dam burst past the hour in which they let in three goals in 8 minutes.

Aside from their other hefty defeat to Bayern, the Baden-Württemberg side have kept themselves in most games until the final whistle. A glaring issue is the concession of second-half goals - 9 in their last six games.

Now, they face a BVB side who have been rather strong on home soil domestically. In their five meetings with Dortmund to date, Heidenheim have only managed a pair of draws alongside three losses. 

Team news:

Leart Paçarada (ACL), Budu Zivzivadze (knee) and Nick Rothweiler (hamstring) are definite absentees for Heidenheim. Mikkel Kaufmann is a doubt with illness, while Benedict Gimber is suspended for yellow card accumulation.

Ramaj ought to start behind a back-four of Stergiou, Mainka, Siersleben and Föhrenbach. In the middle and final thirds, Schöppner, Beck and Dorsch are expected to play behind Ibrahimovic, Pieringer and Honsak. 

Ramaj – Stergiou, Mainka, Siersleben, Föhrenbach – Schöppner, Beck, Dorsch – Ibrahimovic, Pieringer, Honsak