Arminia Bielefeld - FC Heidenheim

Bielefeld to secure vital victory over Heidenheim

TEAM NEWS

Bielefeld's Nils Quaschner, Sven Schipplock, Joan Simun Edmundsson, Roberto Massimo and Cedric Brunner have been ruled out.

Heidenheim will be without the injured Robert Glatzel and captain Marc Schnatterer.

Bielefeld

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nils Quaschner, Sven Schipplock, Cedric Brunner (all knee); Joan Simun Edmundsson (ligament), Roberto Massimo (not fit)

Heidenheim

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Robert Glatzel (torn ligament), Marc Schnatterer (foot)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN  

14^thplaced Bielefeld beat top five side Holstein Kiel in a hard-fought 2-1 win at Holstein Stadium last weekend, with the winning goal arriving nine minutes from time. It was their first league game since coach Jeff Saibene's sacking – and their first victory since beating Darmstadt 2-1 back in September, having lost six and drawn three times in the meantime. It was a perfect start for new boss Uwe Neuhaus, who will be aiming for back-to-back wins here.  

Heidenheim have been in very good form, losing only one, drawing four and winning five of their last ten league matches. The side have in fact won two of their last three league outings, beating Sandhausen 2-1 and Duisburg 4-1, before registering a 1-1 away draw against bottom side Ingolstadt last weekend. However, although they have clinched a respectable 11 points on their travels, only two of their nine away league games have ended in wins, along with five draws and two defeats. Sitting in sixth, Frank Schmidt’s men are just four points adrift of the promotion/relegation playoff place at present.

Heidenheim may be the obvious choice here, but Bielefeld appear to have received a considerable boost from their new man in the dugout. I think the side will be able to make home advantage count and use their momentum from last weekend's win to claim a second consecutive victory here.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – BIELEFELD

Bielefeld have scored the opening goal in two of their last three league games, taking five points from a possible nine along the way. Meanwhile, Heidenheim have conceded first in each of their last two away league matches. I can see the hosts opening the scoring in this one.

HEAD TO HEAD

These two sides have met only three times at Schuco Arena in Germany's second division, with Bielefeld beating Heidenheim 2-1 on one occasion and the other two league encounters finishing level.