FC Heidenheim - MSV Duisburg

Heidenheim to grab back-to-back victories 

TEAM NEWS

Heidenheim will be without the injured Robert Glatzel and the suspended Niklas Dorsch.

Duisburg’s Christian Gartner will be out for the remainder of the year. Borys Tashchy, Dustin Bomheuer and Thomas Blomeyer are not available either.

Heidenheim

Suspended: Niklas Dorsch

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Robert Glatzel (torn ligament)

Duisburg

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Christian Gartner (knee), Borys Tashchy (groin), Thomas Blomeyer (unspecified) Dustin Bomheuer (pulled muscle)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

After two league games without a win (one draw, one defeat), Heidenheim secured a narrow 2-1 triumph over second-from-bottom Sandhausen away from home last weekend. That was Heidenheim’s second victory in the last four league matches, having drawn one and lost one. Frank Schmidt’s men will be pleased with their tally of 23 points so far, having won six, drawn five and lost four of their 15 league fixtures. They are currently sitting in seventh, four points off third placed Union Berlin.

After two wins and two draws, Duisburg fell to a disappointing 4-0 home loss against a very motivated Holstein Kiel team. After starting their campaign with six defeats and two draws, Torsten Lieberknecht’s side had been finding it impossible to climb out of the bottom zone, but their recent unbeaten run had brought them back to life. However, following last weekend's heavy defeat, they are only three points above the drop zone and in need of points. With two wins, four draws and only two defeats they are much more dangerous on the road than on home soil, where they have secured only three of their 13 points.

Heidenheim have lost only twice on home soil and will be keen to get back to winning ways here after losing their last home league game 5-1 to Paderborn. Duisburg have improved lately, but their 4-0 defeat last time out may have had an impact on their confidence. I’m backing a Heidenheim win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – ODD

Three of Heidenheim’s last four wins have come by one-goal margins. Put some money on odd total goals to be scored in this one as well.

HEAD TO HEAD

The teams have met just twice at Voith Arena over the last five years, with each side winning once.