Union Berlin vs. Heidenheim preview: Visitors continue survival bid | OneFootball

Union Berlin

Union have put together an eight-game unbeaten run since they lost 1-0 at home to Holstein Kiel at the start of March. However, they may be slightly frustrated that they have drawn their last four matches, beginning with a goalless affair with Bayer Leverkusen. They went on to play out an eight-goal thriller with Stuttgart, before they were held to a 1-1 scoreline in their away meeting with Bochum.

Steffen Baumgart’s side then showed great character to come from two goals down to pick up a point in last Saturday’s home clash with Werder Bremen. Tom Rothe halved the deficit following Jens Stage’s early brace, before László Bénes scored the all-important equaliser to ensure the contest finished in a 2-2 draw, leaving Union in 13th place with 37 points to their name.

Having already secured safety, Union will focus on finishing in the best possible position in their final two matches against Heidenheim and Augsburg. They will also be keen to give their fans a win to celebrate in their final home game of the season, especially as they have won just two of their previous 13 home league matches (D6, L5).

Team News

The hosts are unable to call unable the services of Diogo Leite, Aljoscha Kemlein, Jerome Roussillon, Roberto Skov and Jeong Woo-yeong. Meanwhile, Josip Juranović will have to be assessed, having missed the last three matches with a calf injury.

Heidenheim

Heidenheim are languishing in the relegation playoff spot after winning seven, drawing five and losing 20 of their 32 Bundesliga games this season. Frank Schmidt’s side have their work cut out to escape the bottom three, given the fact they are five points adrift of 15th-placed Hoffenheim with just three games left to play. Meanwhile, they are still at risk of automatic relegation, with one point separating them from Holstein Kiel in 17th position.

They will head into Saturday’s fixture with hopes of making it three games without defeat, having taken four points from their last two matches. Heidenheim recorded a narrow 1-0 win in their most recent away games against Stuttgart, before they had to settle for a goalless draw in last Friday’s home clash with basement side Bochum.

After going a third consecutive home game without a win, Schmidt’s charges may be looking forward to heading on their travels for their final away match of the season. Heidenheim have proven to be a tough team to beat on the road in recent times, having avoided defeat in four of their previous five Bundesliga away games. They will enter Saturday’s fixture with hopes of completing a league double over Union after claiming a 2-0 victory in January’s reverse fixture.

Team News

Heidenheim confirmed that goalkeeper Kevin Müller suffered a concussion after he was stretchered off in the second half against Bochum following a nasty collision with Ibrahima Sissoko. Frank Feller came off the bench to replace Müller to make his first appearance of the season, and the backup goalkeeper is likely to start Saturday’s fixture.