Conference League | League Stage

Dec 19, 2024 at 8pm UK

Trainingsgelande an der Voith-Arena

Heidenheimvs.St Gallen

Match preview

Heidenheim are assured of a Conference League round of 16 playoff spot and still have a chance to qualify automatically for the round of 16 by finishing in the top eight given they are just three points from third-placed Fiorentina.

Despite having 59% of the possession and 16 shots on target, Frank Schmidt's side conceded four good chances against Istanbul Basaksehir and were particularly weak in defending set-pieces.

The hosts' form in the Conference had contrasted with their poor domestic form, winning their first three league games, but they have now lost each of their last seven games in all competitions, including their last two European matches.

Schmidt's side have conceded 21 goals in their last six matches, finding the back of the net just six times, and currently sit third from bottom in 16th place in the Bundesliga.

Heidenheim's home record is poor, with five defeats and one draw in their last six matches at the Voith-Arena.

Meanwhile, St. Gallen are one point behind 24th-placed Istanbul Basaksehir, who occupy the last play-off spot, and three points behind 17th-placed Real Betis.

Their defeat to Vitoria de Guimaraes was a worrying one, as they had a staggering 30 shots on goal, 10 clear-cut chances and 21 attempts from inside the area.

Head coach Enrico Maassen's side are fifth from bottom in the Swiss top flight with 25 points after 18 rounds of matches, although they are just two points behind sixth-placed FC Zurich, who occupy the final play-off spot.

Maassen's side beat FC Zurich 2-0 on 15 December, but have failed to win any of their last six matches - three draws and three defeats - and have won just three of their last 17.

The visitors have won three of their last five away games, but have lost five and drawn one of their last nine away from home.

Team News

Heidenheim have relatively few injury concerns, although midfielders Julian Niehues and Lennard Maloney are likely to be out until the end of December.

In their absence, Luca Kerber and Niklas Dorsch may start together in a double pivot.

Striker Sirlord Conteh could be ruled out through illness, and if he is not declared fit on Thursday, Adrian Beck, Paul Wanner and Leo Scienza are likely to play behind striker Maximilian Breunig.

As for St. Gallen, midfielder Gregory Karlen has been ruled out for the rest of the season, which could see the visitors line up with Lukas Gortler, Mihailo Stevanovic and Corsin Konietzke in midfield.

Forwards Christian Witzig, Chadrac Akolo and Kevin Csoboth could all start with strikers Jovan Milosevic and Willem Geubbels both injured.

Defender Musah Nuhu will not be available, so expect Hugo Vandermersch, Abdoulaye Diaby, Albert Vallci and Chima Okoroji to start in a back four.

Possible starting lineup

Heidenheim possible starting lineup:

Eicher; Busch, Maloney, Siersleben, Theuerkauf; Kerber, Dorsch; Beck, Wanner, Scienza; Breunig

St Gallen possible starting lineup:

Zigi; Vandermersch, Diaby, Vallci, Okoroji; Gortler, Stevanovic, Konietzke; Witzig, Csoboth, Akolo