While this might be one of the most uneventful matches of the day, there’s a chance it’ll have massive implications on the final standings.
| Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images |
FC Heidenheim
The good news for FC Heidenheim is that they officially avoided automatic relegation last weekend.
They did it in some style, going away to Union Berlin and thumping them 3-0. Heidenheim opened the scoring pretty early on through Adrian Beck, and they made it two just before the hour mark. The opposition put up a fight, but another goal from Beck sealed the result with 15 minutes to go.
It was a strong performance, and it highlighted how much of a corner the red and blue side had turned to the end of the campaign. They had found themselves near the bottom of the table, failing to find a balance between league play and their European adventures in the Conference League.
While there were still struggles even when they were eliminated from Europe, Heidenheim locked in when it mattered most. They’re unbeaten in their last three, with a win away to Stuttgart and a key draw at home to VfL Bochum before the aforementioned Union win.
The bad news is that they’re far from safety. They go into Saturday in 16th, the relegation-playoff spot. Frank Schmidt’s men are three points behind two different teams, but their goal differential is much worse. They’re currently at -24, while Hoffenheim is at -18 and St. Pauli is at -11. They not only need to win, but win by a bunch.
However, there is hope to secure safety. Hoffenheim hosts Bayern Munich, and even though they’ve already clinched the title, they can easily run riot on any given matchday. Heidenheim needs a seven-goal swing, and if the Bavarians blow out Hoffenheim, then they could only need to win by three to steal 16th.
Only time will tell if that happens, but don’t be surprised if there is some late drama in the relegation battle.
Team news
Heidenheim will be without a trio of first-team players, with Christopher Negele, Luka Janes, and Sirlord Conteh all out through injury.
Werder Bremen
While Werder Bremen can technically still qualify for the Conference League themselves, they need even more than a miracle.
They’re also three points behind two different teams, those being RB Leipzig and Mainz. However, they’ve got a much bigger gap when it comes to goal differential. Bremen are 12 behind Leipzig and 18 behind Mainz. Even the most delusional supporter knows that won’t happen.
It’s a shame considering how close Werder were to being in a much better position. They somehow drew Leipzig 0-0 at home last time out, despite registering over two expected goals. They missed massive chances, and they were denied by heroic bits of defending and goalkeeping.
In the game before the Green-Whites were up two goals only to be undone by iffy goalkeeping and a screamer from the opposition. That came after another tie, where a potential winning goal was ruled offside by inches.
Even though they fell short of their European dream, this will still go down as a solid campaign. They haven’t lost in seven matches, and if Marco Friedl is healthy then they know they have a chance against anyone.
While Bremen doesn’t really have anything to play for when it comes to the standings, they’ll still want to end the year on a high.
Team news
Oliver Burke is the only doubt for the contest with a foot injury.
