Heidenheim vs FC Cologne Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Heidenheim and FC Cologne begin the year with the former desperately fighting against relegation.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – ESPN
How to watch online: UK – Not televised / US – ESPN+
Heidenheim preview: Battle to avoid drop
Heidenheim are firmly planted inside the automatic relegation places with three points currently between themselves and safety. They had lost their last two games leading into the winter break against St. Pauli and Bayern Munich respectively, so it’s safe to say plenty of work was needed on the training pitch.
However, there’s still lots of football left to play this season and lots of time for Heidenheim to save themselves. Three points here would represent an excellent start and inject their entire squad with some much-needed confidence and momentum.
FC Cologne preview: Mid-table mediocrity
Whilst FC Cologne are currently marooned in mid-table, they could be dragged into the relegation mix if results don’t improve quickly. Prior to the winter break they had not won in their last six league games, losing four and drawing two. Like their opponents here, they’ve also lost back-to-back league matches leading into this one.
A lack of cutting edge has been an issue in attack with those two recent defeats seeing them fail to score on both occasions. They are also without a clean sheet to their name since back in early October last year.
Heidenheim team news: Hosts wait on Pieringer
A late call will likely be made on Pieringer who is fighting an ankle injury. Paqarada, Behrens and Zivzivadze are all out injured for Heidenheim.
Predicted XI: (4-3-3): Ramaj; Busch, Mainka, Siersleben, Fohrenbach; Schoppner, Niehues, Dorsch; Ibrahimovic, Pieringer, Honsak
Unavailable: Paqarada (Injured), Kolle (Illness), Behrens (Injured), Zivzivadze (Injured)
Questionable: Pieringer (Injured)
FC Cologne team news: Four out for visitors
FC Cologne will need to replace Sepp Van den Berg in defence as he is suspended for this game. Hubers, Kilian and Schmied all miss out with injuries.
Predicted XI: (3-4-3): Schwabe; Sebulonsen, Martel, Heintz; Thielmann, Johannesson, Krauss, Lund; Kaminski, Bulter, El Mala
Unavailable: Hubers (Injured), Kilian (Injured), Schmied (Injured), Van den Berg (Suspended)
Questionable:
Heidenheim vs FC Cologne prediction
It may only be the first game back post-winter break but it really does feel like a big one for Heidenheim. When considering the terrible form of FC Cologne prior to the break, Heidenheim need to fight for everything and try to out-battle their opponents. Expect a contest low on quality, but Heidenheim will be up for this and at home, should get their chances.
Whilst backing the hosts outright would be a big risk, when considering the results and performances of FC Cologne pre-winter break, not to mention the importance of the game from Heidenheim’s point of view, it’s well worth utilising the double chance market and backing either a Heidenheim victory or a draw.
Heidenheim vs FC Cologne tip: Double chance - Heidenheim/draw
