Heidenheim vs. Mainz 05 preview: Only a win will do for relegation-threatened hosts
HeidenheimAt one stage, Heidenheim looked set to suffer relegation with games to spare, but they have managed to keep their survival hopes alive with a strong run of form. Frank Schmidt’s side have ...
Heidenheim vs. Mainz 05 preview: Only a win will do for relegation-threatened hosts Heidenheim At one stage, Heidenheim looked set to suffer relegation with games to spare, but they have managed to keep their survival hopes alive with a strong run of form. Frank Schmidt’s side have lost just one of their previous seven matches, including three wins in their last five outings.
Heidenheim recorded home victories, either side of an away defeat against Freiburg, before they played out a thrilling 3-3 draw away to champions Bayern Munich. They then returned to winning ways in last Sunday’s away clash against FC Köln, with Jan Schoppner netting a brace in a 3-1 victory. As a result of their first away league win since November, Heidenheim moved off the bottom of the Bundesliga table, leaving them level on points with basement side St.
Pauli and 16th-placed Wolfsburg. The three-way battle for the relegation playoff spot is made more dramatic by the fact that St. Pauli will host Wolfsburg on the final day of the season.
Heidenheim know they need to win to have any chance of snatching 16th spot. A win would see them into the playoffs if the other game finishes in a draw, they at least match St. Pauli’s margin of victory, or they score three more goals than Wolfsburg’s winning margin.