SV Sandhausen - FC Heidenheim

All square at Hardtwald Stadium

TEAM NEWS

Sandhausen’s Tim Knipping, Erik Zenga, Tim Kister and Ken Gipson are all out with different injuries. 

Frank Schmidt’s Heidenheim will have to do without Robert Glatzel.

Sandhausen

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Tim Knipping (broken foot), Erik Zenga (muscle), Ken Gipson (shoulder), Tim Kister (broken foot)

Heidenheim

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Robert Glatzel (torn ligament)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Sandhausen have been on a miserable run of late, winning just one of their past seven league games, drawing two and losing four. Worryingly for Gerhard Kleppinger and his team, they have also lost two of their last three in the league, securing only one point in those three league fixtures. Last time out, Sandhausen were unlucky to lose at home against Holstein Kiel by only a goal, with the league match ending 2-1. The result has left them in 16^thplace in the league table, with only Magdeburg and Ingolstadt taking fewer points so far.

Heidenheim had enjoyed an excellent run, drawing three and winning three, but they crashed to a 5-1 defeat against Paderborn at home last weekend. They were only one goal behind at the break, but conceded three times in the second half and had nothing to respond with. The loss saw Paderborn leapfrogging Heidenheim in the table, but despite sitting in 11^th, there are only four points between Heidenheim and third placed Union Berlin while they have a ten-point lead over Sandhausen in the bottom three. 

Sandhausen have won only one at home while Heidenheim have managed only one win on the road this campaign so far. This will be no doubt be a close affair and I fancy a draw between these two.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST HALF HAD – DRAW

Three of the last four league meetings between the pair at Hardtwald Stadium have been level at half time. Both teams are unlikely to risk much from the beginning as they are in need of points and will look to avoid defeat. Therefore, back the first half to finish in a draw. 

HEAD TO HEAD

Heidenheim have remained unbeaten against Sandhausen in all of their eight league meetings in Germany's second division. They have won three and drawn five of those.