Heidenheim vs. Frankfurt preview: Eintracht want to end bad run of form
On Matchday 24, Heidenheim face Frankfurt, who haven’t won in their last six competitive games.
Heidenheim
FCH's brilliant run of form was ended by Leverkusen a couple weeks ago and they then drew to Union last week. It feels like this is the first injury-challenged week Heidenheim have experienced all season long.
It’s unclear if Jan-Niklas Beste will play and several key starters with knocks didn’t fully complete training this week. Lennard Maloney, who leads the league in distance covered, is out and will be a major absence in the middle of the park.
When asked about Maloney, Frank Schmidt said, "He's already doing much better, but It's impossible for him to play tomorrow. Medical ligament injuries are very painful. I'm not ruling out next week, but he'll ultimately decide when he's available again."
Team News
Maloney, Elidon Qenaj and Thomas Keller are out, while Beste is questionable. Omar Traore, Tim Kleindienst and Eren Dinkci missed some training this week, but are expected to be available.
Frankfurt
Eintracht can’t stop drawing in league play and have especially struggled at times defensively over the last few weeks. Luckily, their competitors for the European places haven’t done much at all, meaning Frankfurt still have a four-point gap between themselves and 7th place.
Omar Marmoush and Hugo Ekitike are expected to lead the front line this week with Tuta potentially playing in a more advanced role in midfield. Frankfurt have a tough schedule to end the campaign and need to win these types of games in order to secure European football for next season.
Dino Toppmöller commented, “We're hungry to finally get another win. We deserve to be in sixth place and we’re staying positive, but it’s easy to tell a lot of stories and churn out cliches. At the end of the day, what counts is Saturday at 15.30.”
Team News
Robin Koch is doubtful with an illness and Sebastian Rode is out with a knee injury. Ekitike and Ellyes Skhiri are questionable, having only returned to individual training. Hugo Larsson is only fit enough to come off the bench, Nacho Ferri is questionable and the long-term absentees are still out.