Preview: Hoffenheim vs. Heidenheim - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors, meanwhile, can climb above their opponents in the table if they can claim an away win.

Match preview

Since flying out of the traps with six wins from their opening nine league games this season, Hoffenheim have tasted victory just once in the following nine matches to fall to eighth in the table. After losing 3-0 away to the reigning champions Bayern Munich in their first game back from the winter break, Pellegrino Matarazzo's side were beaten 3-2 by Freiburg last weekend.

Having fought their way back from two goals down at Europa-Park Stadion, Matarazzo would have been left furious by Roland Sallai's late winner. This is especially true considering that the hosts had been reduced to 10 men following Manuel Gulde's dismissal.

The former Stuttgart boss will be concerned about his side's defensive structure and performance levels, having conceded three goals in each of their last four outings. This includes when taking the lead three times against rock-bottom SV Darmstadt 98, who managed to restore parity on each occasion.

Hoffenheim will be hoping for a different outcome against the other promoted team this weekend. However, given that Heidenheim will make the short trip across Baden-Wurttemberg in superior form, that is far from a given.

Indeed, Heidenheim extended their unbeaten run to five matches when drawing 1-1 against Wolfsburg last weekend. Frank Schmidt's side won three games in a row prior to the winter break, and they have returned in the New Year with successive 1-1 draws to remain in the top half of the table.

Heidenheim fell behind to the Wolves after just seven minutes when Vaclav Cerny bagged his second goal in two games, but they were fortunate to head into the break level courtesy of Mortiz Jenz's own goal on the stroke of half-time. Both teams lacked fluency and appeared content with sharing the spoils towards the end of the encounter.

Schmidt and his players could hardly be blamed if that was the case. They have double the amount of points on the board of Darmstadt, FC Koln - who they gained a point away to in their first match back from the winter break - and Mainz 05 inside the automatic relegation places, meaning they should have enough about them to survive their debut Bundesliga campaign.

However, Schmidt will be determined to avoid any complacency setting in among his players, especially having worked so hard to sit inside the top half of the table beyond the half-way stage of the season. If they can secure only their second away win of the campaign on Saturday, they would move up to the heady heights of eighth position.

Hoffenheim Bundesliga form:

L

W

L

D

L

L

Heidenheim Bundesliga form:

L

W

W

W

D

D

Team News

Hoffenheim will be without Diadie Samassekou, who is competing for Mali at the Africa Cup of Nations. Turkey defender Ozan Kabak is suspended after receiving his fifth caution of the season against Freiburg, with Kevin Akpoguma the likeliest candidate to replace him.

Mergim Berisha and Marco John are ruled out for the rest of the season due to ACL injuries, while Dennis Geiger is still sidelined by a groin issue. However, Grischa Promel could return to the engine room after serving a one-match suspension following his dismissal against Bayern.

Heidenheim, meanwhile, will travel without Thomas Keller and Elidon Qenaj due to knee injuries. Christian Kuhlwetter should be available after recovering from illness, but he is unlikely to feature in any case.

Schmidt may see no reason to make any changes from the team that drew 1-1 against Wolfsburg last time out, meaning Tim Kleindienst should lead the visitors' offensive line once again.

Hoffenheim possible starting lineup:

Baumann; Akpoguma, Grillitsch, Nsoki; Kaderabek, Promel, Stach, Bulter; Kramaric; Weghorst, Beier

Heidenheim possible starting lineup:

Muller; Traore, Mainka, Gimber, Fohrenbach; Schoppner, Maloney; Dinkci, Beck, Beste; Kleindienst

We say: Hoffenheim 2-2 Heidenheim

Hoffenheim's defensive record has been wretched in recent times, meaning Heidenheim will fancy their chances of recording an upset. The visitors are one of the most potent teams from set-pieces in the Bundesliga and could cause plenty of issues in that regard.

However, the hosts clearly possess greater individual talent in offensive areas, and should have enough to score a couple of goals themselves. We can envisage an entertaining score draw between two sides who look set to finish in mid-table this season.

Previews by email