Heidenheim vs Köln preview: Köln need a miracle, Heidenheim eyeing Europe

Heidenheim 

Heidenheim are just about hanging onto the hope of European football next season after another draw against Freiburg last week. 

This game panned out to be a relatively unnoteworthy affair apart from the farewell from Freiburg coach Christian Streich to the Freiburg fans. 

With a slightly weaker Rückrunde, Frank Schmidt has guided his side to only eighteen points (which is only two more than Köln have managed in the return leg of the season).

Alongside this, goals have dried up slightly for the side as they have failed to score more than one goal in each of their last five games. 

However, there are still some positives to draw from this Heidenheim team as they a real attacking threat in Tim Kleindienst who has netted twelve this season in Germany's top flight.

Thomas Keller's knee injury means he will miss the game and Edilon Qenaj is also out for the weekend's affair.

Lastly, Heidenheim's Marnon-Thomas Busch is unavailable. 

Köln

Köln are coming into this game off the back of a morale boosting unlikely comeback against Union Berlin last weekend which took the relegation race to the last day for them. 

But, the side from the cathedral city will be aware that matters are no longer in their own hands as they have to hope that Freiburg beat Union Berlin away from home and they beat Heidenheim. 

Not only this, but also a four-goal swing is needed to move into sixteenth due to Union's superior goal difference. 

Köln can no longer automatically stay safe, so they are playing solely for the playoff spot on the final matchday.

Head coach Timo Schultz has provided some hope for next season (whether in the 2. Liga or not) as he has already amassed eight more points than his predecessor Steffen Baumgart had earlier this campaign. 

Mark Uth, one of the ringleaders of the second half resurgence against Union Berlin, is touted to start against Heidenheim as he may finally start for the Billy Goats following multiple long spells on the sidelines. 

Finally, ahead of the do or die match against Heidenheim on Saturday, 1. FC Köln's manager Timo Schultz said: “We'll believe until the very end. Mathematically everything is possible. There are many possibilities, many permutations in the build-up to the game. But above all, we must win our game.”

Köln are without Benno Schmitz and Denis Huseinbašić due to yellow card suspensions. 

Both Davie Selke and Luca Kilian remain out for the rest of the season due to their respective injuries. 

Lastly, Luca Waldschmidt, Max Finkgräfe (who was moving quiet gingerly after last week's victory) and Leart Paqarada are all doubts for the matchday squad versus Heidenheim.