FC Heidenheim - Union Berlin

After reaching quarter final in Cup for the first time the self confidence and motivation is high in Heidenheim these days. Additional they can count on their home strength as well because they are one of the best teams in their own stadium. The opponent they face today coming from Berlin but the good times seems gone for Union right now. They must look forward not to get more involved in relegation battle as they did really bad last weeks. With only 11 Points out of the 12 Rounds they are already in danger zone and this is not what they want or have expected before the Season. Things must be changes immediately but after all the bad results lately it is very difficult to come out.

All ask Coach Schmidt if he does see any disadvantage after the 120 Cup minutes against Sandhausen under the week while Union could prepared the whole week for this game. He said that this is only a problem for the head of the players. If they are able to get over their limits they are strong enough to win this one, of course. He wants to see a fighting team which wants the win and the three Points, he does not expect any excuses.
Compared to the game in Braunschweig where he changed 4 times are changes possible again. After the Cup game returns keeper Zimmermann into goal again, also Titsch Rivero can be an option in central midfield instead of Theuerkauf but he has made a good job and should remain maybe. Most important change is the return of captain Schnatterer who was on bench against Sandhausen but he is one of the key players in Heidenheim with his great free kicks and corners. In this case Leipertz move into attack or even on the right wing. In attack it is more as open which player he wants to field there. Beside Leipertz are Morabit, Vogelsammer, Frahn and Grimaldi options there. Grimaldi made some self advertising in Cup with a good performance while Morabit showed his skills over the last Season games already.

Only 7 Points out of 7 matches collected new Coach Lewandowski with his team after he took over from Düwel. This is not the best number and they are getting in trouble more and more right now. He wants to bring some new impulse into the team and changed the captain. Old one Kreilach has to give this function to Kessel who should push the team more with his great power. Also some of the players are send to the second team U23 from Union.
It is more as open if this procedure help Lewandowski and Union at the moment. They make a lot of noise although they have already a lot of trouble. Also some changes in starting lineup and tactic are very possible. The defensive line remain maybe unchanged although Puncec had not the best day against Paderborn but should be a starter because of less alternatives on this positions anyway. In midfield they he can count on Fürstner and Kreilach in central midfield while Zejnullahu and Daube could not convince on this position against Paderborn and the compactness was not there for a good defensive work. Also possible is a changes to 4-4-2 with Brandy in attack beside Wood. The open position on the wing can take Trimmel then.

Although Heidenheim had a hard Cup game under the week I can not miss one of the strongest home teams in this league against a team who is in huge trouble and has not his best moment right now. Of course we can expect a close game but if Heidenheim brings only some of their home power on the pitch they will win this game. They have one of the best defensive and it is very hard to score against them additional while Union is very open and conceding already 22 goals. They can not score as much as they get behind them. We trust the home side here, they look much better to me.

PICK: FC Heidenheim AHC -0,25 @ 1,89 (3 Units / Flat Stake)