Heidenheim vs. Mainz 05 preview: Only a win will do for relegation-threatened hosts

Heidenheim

At one stage, Heidenheim looked set to suffer relegation with games to spare, but they have managed to keep their survival hopes alive with a strong run of form. Frank Schmidt’s side have lost just one of their previous seven matches, including three wins in their last five outings. Heidenheim recorded home victories, either side of an away defeat against Freiburg, before they played out a thrilling 3-3 draw away to champions Bayern Munich. They then returned to winning ways in last Sunday’s away clash against FC Köln, with Jan Schoppner netting a brace in a 3-1 victory. 

As a result of their first away league win since November, Heidenheim moved off the bottom of the Bundesliga table, leaving them level on points with basement side St. Pauli and 16th-placed Wolfsburg. The three-way battle for the relegation playoff spot is made more dramatic by the fact that St. Pauli will host Wolfsburg on the final day of the season.

Heidenheim know they need to win to have any chance of snatching 16th spot. A win would see them into the playoffs if the other game finishes in a draw, they at least match St. Pauli’s margin of victory, or they score three more goals than Wolfsburg’s winning margin. 

While a number of permutations could come into play, the hosts will look to do their part by recording a third consecutive home victory. However, they have failed to win either of their previous two Bundesliga home meetings with Mainz 05. 

Team News

Heidenheim are unable to call upon Sirlord Conteh and Leart Paçarada due to knee injuries.

Predicted lineup: Feller; Busch, Mainka, Föhrenbach, Behrens; Dorsch Schöppner; Dinkçi, Ibrahimović; Zivzivadze, Pieringer

Mainz 05

In contrast to their hosts, Mainz have little to play for on the final day of the Bundesliga season. Die Nullfünfer head into Saturday’s fixture in 10th place after winning nine, drawing 10 and losing 14 of their 33 league games. They have experienced a dip in form in recent weeks, having won just one of their last five Bundesliga matches since enjoying a run of three consecutive top-flight victories.

Mainz looked set to play out a 1-1 draw in last Sunday’s home clash with Union Berlin after Sheraldo Becker cancelled out Andrej Ilić’s opener. However, they conceded two late goals as they fell to a 3-1 defeat, representing a third straight loss on home turf. 

With that in mind, they may be looking forward to heading on their travels for their final fixture, especially as they have won three of their previous four away league games. The visitors are looking to complete a Bundesliga double over Heidenheim after picking up a 2-1 victory in January’s reverse fixture. 

Team News

Mainz boss Urs Fischer are still without the injured trio of Silas, Benedict Hollerbach and Kasey Bos. 

Predicted lineup: Batz; Kohr, Posch, Potulski; Widmer, Nebel, Kaishu, Amiri, Mwene; Tietz, Becker