Bundesliga Preview: Heidenheim vs RB Leipzig

FIy999 2024/10/05 06:21

Heidenheim will hope to make it three victories in a row when they host Champions League-regulars RB Leipzig on Sunday at Voith-Arena in their sixth Bundesliga fixture.


preview


After suffering back-to-back defeats against Borussia Dortmund on September 13 and Freiburg on September 21, Heidenheim beat Mainz in the league and Olimpija 2-1 in the Conference League on Thursday.


Die Schanzer had 67% possession during their victory against Olimpija but created little from open play, and they only won when Paul Wanner converted from close range in the 83rd minute after his penalty had been saved but rebounded toward the attacker.


Heidenheim's appearance in the Conference League's league phase represents the first time the club have ever played in the initial stage of any UEFA competition.


Manager Frank Schmidt will also be pleased that his team were able to beat Mainz and limit them to under 0.1 xG from open play and zero big chances.


Of the 18 teams in the top flight, Schmidt's side have averaged the fourth-lowest possession figure, produced the fourth-fewest big chances and have conceded the sixth least xG.


Heidenheim have won seven of their nine competitive games this term, scoring 21 times and conceding on 11 occasions, though they have lost four, drawn four and won just three of their 11 most recent Bundesliga matches at home.


RB Leipzig come into the clash disappointed considering they lost 3-2 against Juventus in their second Champions League game of 2024-25 despite leading 1-0 after 30 minutes and 2-1 after 65 minutes.


Of more concern to boss Marco Rose will be the fact his side had a player advantage from the 58th minute when Juve goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio was sent off, but his team failed to make the most of the 16 shots they had in that period and proved to be defensively vulnerable.


Rose said in the aftermath of the defeat that he hopes the team can take their disappointment and turn it into anger and added that Die Roten Bullen should have defended the box better.


Their defensive vulnerability on Wednesday contrasts with their league form given they have only conceded twice in their five league fixtures this season, the best defensive record in the division.


The visitors are also one of only two unbeaten teams left in the top flight, with Vincent Kompany's Bayern Munich also undefeated in the league.


Leipzig have won one, drawn two and lost two of their last five matches, though prior to these games they did win seven and draw three of the previous 10 competitive fixtures.


Die Roten Bullen have drawn three of their four most recent away games in the Bundesliga, but they have won five of their last eight matches on the road in the top flight.


Player injuries:

heidenheim

11 (Forward) Tomala

39 (Midfielder) Niklas

21 (midfielder) Adrian Baker

27 (Central Defender) Thomas Keller

RB Leipzig

44 (Central Midfielder) Kanpur

24 (Central Midfielder) X. Schrager

20 (Central Midfielder) Forzan Odraogo

possible starting lineup:

  • Bundesliga

  • 1. FC Heidenheim

  • RB Leipzig

All comments

  • Hot
  • Time

No comments yet

HolaSports

Try leaving your comments

  • Reply

  • Like

  • Fav

  • Share