Wolfsburg vs Heidenheim Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 German Bundesliga
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THE FACTS
When is Wolfsburg vs Heidenheim on and what time does it start? Wolfsburg vs Heidenheim will take place on Saturday 19th August, 2023 – 14:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Wolfsburg vs Heidenheim? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Wolfsburg vs Heidenheim on in the UK? Sky Sports have the rights to German Bundesliga matches in the UK so it is worth checking their schedule for Wolfsburg vs Heidenheim
Where can I stream Wolfsburg vs Heidenheim in the UK? If televised on Sky Sports, Wolfsburg vs Heidenheimcan be streamed live on the Sky Go app
THE LOWDOWN
WOLFSBURG
Wolfsburg missed out on European qualification entirely by a single point last season, so for Niko Kovac this represents a very important campaign with his side under pressure to get back into the top six, although they will face fierce competition once again. In Kovac they have a head coach who knows how to win trophies, having done so at both Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayern Munich. Wolfsburg fans are no doubt hoping that having had one season under his belt, Kovac can work his magic in 2023-24.
Not making into Europe though, has no doubt played a part in them being forced to sell a couple of important players. Felix Nmecha has joined Borussia Dortmund for a fee of €30m reportedly, whilst defender Micky van de Ven has joined the many Bundesliga players to leave for the Premier League this summer, Tottenham paying €40m to sign him. In response, Wolfsburg have brought in the likes of Tiago Tomas from Sporting Lisbon, Vaclav Cerny from Twente and Joakim Maehle from Atalanta to name just three.
HEIDENHEIM
One of the stories of this season’s Bundesliga, Heidenheim’s fairytale story had the most dramatic of happy endings at the conclusion of last season. Needing to win to seal a first ever promotion to the top tier of German football, Heidenheim found themselves two goals down away at Jahn Regensburg, meaning that they would miss out in favour of Hamburg. However, Frank Schmidt’s side dug deeper than they ever have before and were handsomely rewarded. After putting a goal back, they were awarded a penalty in the third minute of second-half stoppage time. This was converted by Jan-Niklas Beste, meaning just one more goal was needed.
With Hamburg’s game having finished, all eyes were on events in Regensburg as the referee continued to let play go on. As the match ticked into the 99th minute, the moment that Heidenheim fans craved for arrived. A ball drilled low into the box, found its way through multiple bodies to the feet of Tim Kleindienst. He kept his composure to slot home, win the game 2-3 and send Heidenheim to the Bundesliga as champions of 2. Bundesliga, breaking Hamburg hearts in the process.
THE TEAM NEWS
WOLFSBURG
Wolfsburg were dealt bad news over the course of the week, with forward Lukas Nmecha having suffered another injury set-back. After looking extremely dangerous pre-season, this is real disappointment for them and Kovac must now pivot as appropriate. Jonas Wind could be the man now tasked to lead the line with new signings Cerny and Tomas playing just behind him.
Elsewhere, Maehle will no doubt slot in at full-back and should be afforded plenty of attacking freedom, a very useful tool for Kovac to utilise. However, Maximilian Arnold may end up missing out on a place in the starting line-up if Mattias Svanberg and Yannick Gerhardt are preferred in the centre of midfield.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Casteels; Baku, Lacroix, Zesiger, Maehle; Svanberg, Gerhardt; Cerny, Tomas, Kaminski; Wind
UNAVAILABLE: Bornauw (Injured), Fischer (Injured), Nmecha (Injured), Paredes (Injured), Rogerio (Suspended)
QUESTIONABLE:
HEIDENHEIM
Heidenheim certainly won’t be expected to change much and alternate from the formula which got them to the Bundesliga, but their players will need to adapt to the step up in quality very quickly. Kevin Muller could be busy in the Heidenheim goal, as will the defence which is likely to consist of Patrick Mainka and Tim Siersleben in the centre with Marnon Busch and Jonas Fohrenbach playing as full-backs.
Scorer of the most important goal in the club’s history, Kleindienst bears the weight of being Heidenheim’s biggest attacking threat and key to any success here will be whether they can provide him with enough support, although should Heidenheim drop deep under pressure, then Kleindienst could find himself a lonely figure across large phases of this encounter.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-1-1): Muller; Busch, Mainka, Siersleben, Fohrenbach; Dinkci, Maloney, Beck. Beste; Pieringer; Kleindienst
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Qenaj (Injured)
THE PREDICTION
For Heidenheim just to be playing at this level is a wonderful achievement, but they could be brought down to earth with a bang here if Wolfsburg hit the ground running and show the quality that they are capable of producing. The visitors will need to be at their best defensively and their work-rate certainly won’t be in question. However, it’s hard to see them being able to contain this Wolfsburg side for 90 minutes and the expectation is that the hosts will have too much for them and ultimately claim the three points.
TIP: WOLFSBURG TO WIN
