Mainz vs Heidenheim preview: Die Nullfünfer to get form rolling
Mainz
Mainz finally secured their first league win of the season last week, overcoming Augsburg on the road despite being on the receiving end of 29 shots. Only three teams in Bundesliga history have won a match after conceding so many attempts since records began.
The victory was even more impressive considering Mainz were reduced to 10 men in the first half, though Augsburg also had a player sent off later in the game. Jonathan Burkardt's contribution helped Die Nullfünfer clinch a hard-fought 3-2 win.
Mainz have now lost just one of their last 13 Bundesliga matches, winning and drawing half of the other 12. Their only recent defeat came in their most recent home game against Werder Bremen.
Despite allowing a league-high 86 shots this season, Bo Henriksen's side have remained competitive, scoring eight goals in their first four matches—Mainz's best tally at this point since 2016.
Interestingly, half of those goals have come from headers, including two in their last match. This aerial prowess, also a league-high, will be a concern for Heidenheim's struggling defence ahead of their trip north this weekend.
Team News
Bo Henriksen will be forced to make at least one change to his winning lineup, as Nadiem Amiri received his first-ever red card in 230 Bundesliga appearances in the last match. He will now miss a Mainz game due to suspension for only the second time in his career.
Nikolas Veratschnig and Bayern Munich loanee Armindo Sieb are both injury doubts, but aside from that, the hosts are expected to have a fully fit squad available.
Since April, only Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz has scored more Bundesliga goals than Mainz striker Jonathan Burkardt (seven) among German players. However, all of Burkardt's last six goals have come away from home.
Heidenheim
It may have taken until matchday 15 last season, but Heidenheim finally secured their first-ever Bundesliga away win at the Mewa Arena. Since that 1-0 victory, they have lost only two of their next 11 away games.
However, their most recent away match ended in a 4-2 defeat to Borussia Dortmund, followed by a significant setback at home last weekend.
Heidenheim’s 3-0 loss to Freiburg marked the first time they had suffered consecutive defeats since March. They have only lost three Bundesliga games in a row once before, back in October of last year.
Frank Schmidt’s side had been in good form until recently, but only Holstein Kiel has conceded more goals over the past two weeks. FCH have allowed more goals in this short span than they did in their previous eight top-flight matches combined.
Despite this, they remain one point ahead of Mainz in the standings and just three points off second place, with their European league-phase debut coming up next Thursday.
Team News
Heidenheim will be missing only midfielder Julian Niehues, who is sidelined with a knee injury. This gives Frank Schmidt a full squad to choose from if he opts to shake up his struggling team.
USA international Lennard Maloney is likely to remain in the midfield, with Marvin Pieringer leading the attack for the visitors.
