FC St. Pauli - FC Heidenheim

Home advantage will boost St. Pauli

TEAM NEWS

St. Pauli will have to do without the long-term injured Ryo Miyaichi and Philipp Ziereis.

Heidenheim have no important injuries worries and Denis Thomalla is their only absentee due to injury concerns.

St. Pauli

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Ryo Miyaichi (knee), Philipp Ziereis (pulled muscle)

Heidenheim

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Denis Thomalla (unspecified)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

After a good start with four points in two matches, St. Pauli were completely outplayed in their 3-0 defeat against Darmstadt last Friday – and they will be aware that with a repeat of such a dreadful performance they will not be able to get more points. Coach Olaf Jansen has to make changes if they want to see better days and the whole team have a lot of work to do in training this week. However, they are bound to bounce back, and especially at their own stadium where they have great support from their fans and are unbeaten in their last six 2.Bundesliga matches.

Heidenheim are coming off a disappointing game against Duisburg where they were not able to hold the lead. Despite scoring the first goal of the match in the second half, they conceded two quick goals within the next seven minutes and although there were still over 20 minutes left to play they never found a way back into the game. Coach Frank Schmidt was critical of his team’s performance and he wants to see a reaction this weekend against St. Pauli. He could make changes in some positions in the starting line-up for this encounter.

St. Pauli’s home fortress is a difficult place to visit and it will be a hard game for Heidenheim. With some of the best supporters in 2.Bundesliga, St. Pauli should get the win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: HALF TIME HAD – HOME WIN

St. Pauli will be pushing for a goal from the beginning and I expect it to be a very open game. The home side will not be able to sit back and wait, and they will have to push forward, which will of course provide Heidenheim with space for counter-attacks. However, St. Pauli’s defence is strong and I think they will be in the lead after 45 minutes.

HEAD TO HEAD

St. Pauli have won the last two home games against Heidenheim, keeping a clean sheet in both. However, they lost their home match before that 3-0.