Heidenheim vs Borussia Dortmund Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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Heidenheim have been massive overachievers in German football, and they are once again in the Bundesliga as they welcome one of Germany’s giants, Borussia Dortmund.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – ESPN
How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – ESPN+
Heidenheim preview: Overachieving Heidenheim
Heidenheim surprised everyone by even reaching the top-flight of German football, and they began their life in the Bundesliga by finishing eighth in 2024, before then needing to survive the drop by winning end of season playoff against Elversburg in May.
They were always expected to struggle again this season, and they have started with back-to-back losses. On the opening day, they suffered a 3-1 defeat at home to Wolfsburg, before a 2-0 defeat to RB Leipzig at the Red Bull Arena.
Borussia Dortmund preview: Strong Dortmund
Ever since the appointment of Niko Kovac, Borussia Dortmund have been much-improved and they managed to squeeze themselves into the top four and the UEFA Champions League spots last season, with an expectation to continue to progress.
They started their season with a frustrating 3-3 draw in Hamburg against St Pauli, before they then hammered Union Berlin at the Signal Iduna Park by three goals to nil, courtesy of a Serhou Guirassy brace and a strike from Felix Nmecha.
Heidenheim team news: A couple of issues
Heidenheim have a couple of injury issues for this weekend with goalkeeper Frank Feller still sidelined, whilst key attacker Marvin Pieringer is working his way back from an ankle injury.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Ramaj; Busch, Mainka, Gimber, Fohrenbach; Kerber, Dorsch; Ibrahimovic, Zivzivadze, Honsak; Kaufmann
Unavailable: Feller (Injured)
Questionable: Pieringer (Injured)
Borussia Dortmund team news: Defensive absentees
Borussia Dortmund have a couple of key absentees as centre-back this weekend, as Germany international duo Niklas Sule and Nico Schlotterbeck are sidelined for the visitors.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Kobel; Anselmino, Anton, Bensebaini; Couto, Sabitzer, Bellingham, Svensson; Brandt, Beier; Guirassy
Unavailable: Sule (Injured), Schlotterbeck (Injured), Duranville (Injured)
Questionable: Can (Injured), Silva (Injured)
Heidenheim vs Borussia Dortmund prediction
Heidenheim have very little by way of quality in their squad, and that has only been worsened by the sale of Brazilian attacking midfielder Leo Scienza to Championship side Southampton. They face a Borussia Dortmund side that have been very impressive under Kovac, and they will be expected to turn up and play with some dominance here, and they should ease to victory.
Heidenheim vs Borussia Dortmund tip: Borussia Dortmund to win -2 handicap
