Erzgebirge Aue - FC Heidenheim

Aue to extend their unbeaten run

TEAM NEWS

Aue are without long-term absentee Nicky Adler.

Heidenheim will be without the injured Marnon Busch, Tim Skarke and Sebastian Griesbeck but have an otherwise full squad available.

Aue

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nicky Adler (adductor)

Heidenheim

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Marnon Busch, Sebastian Griebeck (both unspecified); Tim Skarke (unspecified)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Aue managed to arrest their negative run of five winless games by securing a positive result against Darmstadt at home last weekend. Their 1-0 win was very important against a team who – like them – are working hard to move away from the relegation zone. Aue’s positive result last time out is likely to have given them a boost ahead of their last match of the year before the winter break. I expect them to try and build on that victory in a bid to register their seventh this season.

Heidenheim’s five-game unbeaten run came to an unexpected end last Saturday as they lost a close game against bottom side Furth 1-0. The team struggled to find the same goalscoring form as in their last five matches, when they netted 11 overall, and they were unlucky not to find the back of the net. Coach Frank Schmid has to look for solutions as this game against Aue presents the perfect opportunity to move further up the table and to leapfrog their rivals who are only one point above them.

This is very hard to predict as a close game should be expected, but Aue’s recent home form should give them an advantage when it comes to securing the three points. Home win.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – AUE

Aue have got off the mark first in both of their only two home encounters against Heidenheim in the 2. Bundesliga. Furthermore, they have been the first team to score in their last four home matches in the current campaign. They should be the first to find the net here again.

HEAD TO HEAD

Aue have hosted Heidenheim only twice in the 2. Bundesliga, with both meetings close games. One of them was a 2-1 win for the side earlier in 2012 while the other one was drawn 1-1 in 2014.