Bundesliga | Gameweek 20

Feb 1, 2025 at 2.30pm UK

Voith-Arena

Heidenheim vs Dortmund

Match preview

The hosts' defensive frailty was on full display against Augsburg, as they conceded goals in both halves in stoppage time and, for the second game in a row, in the 92nd minute.

Heidenheim are four points from safety, but only two points behind 17th-placed Holstein Kiel, who occupy one of the two automatic relegation spots.

Coach Frank Schmidt will need to address his side's defensive problems if they are to survive, with opponents scoring seven times in their last three games.

Heidenheim are in a poor run of form, having lost just two of their last four games, but have also been beaten in eight of their last nine.

Schmidt's side have fared slightly better at home in recent weeks, winning one and drawing one of their last three at the Voith-Arena, although they had lost their previous four home games.

Dortmund have appointed former Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg coach Kovac to replace Nuri Sahin, who was sacked after a run of four straight defeats - including three in the league - left them 10th in the Bundesliga.

Kovac inherits a team that put in a spirited performance to earn a draw against Werder Bremen, overcoming the adversity of being reduced to 10 men in the 21st minute with the score 0-0.

The visitors also secured a Champions League last-16 play-off spot after their 3-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday, meaning they will face either Sporting Lisbon or Club Brugge for a place in the next round.

BVB are just six points behind fourth-placed Stuttgart, who occupy the Bundesliga's final Champions League qualification spot, but their 33 goals conceded make them the fifth-worst defensive team in the top 14.

Kovac's side go into Saturday's clash without a win from their last four league games, losing three and drawing one, although they did beat Heidenheim 4-2 in their last meeting on 13 September.

Dortmund, meanwhile, have struggled away from home this season, losing eight of their last 11 Bundesliga games and winning just one.

Recent Performance

Heidenheim Bundesliga form:LLWDLL

Heidenheim form (all competitions):DLWDLL

Borussia Dortmund Bundesliga form:DWLLLD

Borussia Dortmund form (all competitions):LLLLDW

Team News

Heidenheim midfielder Julian Niehues will be sidelined until the end of February with a cruciate ligament injury, while Niklas Dorsch is unlikely to make his comeback until March.

Luca Kerber and Jan Schoppner have started together in a double pivot for their side in the last two matches, and they are likely to start together again on Saturday.

Paul Wanner and Frans Kratzig are in contention to flank striker Budu Zivzivadze, while winger Mathias Honsak could be sidelined for a few days with a muscle injury.

Dortmund will be without centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck, who was sent off last time out.

Central defender Niklas Sule is also sidelined with an ankle injury, meaning Kovac may opt to start midfielder Emre Can at the back alongside Waldemar Anton.

Midfielder Felix Nmecha has been ruled out until March with a knee injury and his absence could force the new BVB coach to play Pascal Gross and Marcel Sabitzer in a double pivot.

Possible starting lineup

Heidenheim possible starting lineup:

Muller; Traore, Mainka, Gimber, Fohrenbach; Kerber, Schoppner; Wanner, Pieringer, Kratzig; Zivzivadze

Borussia Dortmund possible starting lineup:

Kobel; Ryerson, Anton, Can, Bensebaini; Gross, Sabitzer; Adeyemi, Brandt, Gittens; Guirassy