Borussia Dortmund will be aiming to break into the top half when they take on Heidenheim on Saturday afternoon.
The Bundesliga returns to action on Saturday with a fascinating clash as Heidenheim host Borussia Dortmund at the Voith-Arena. The match not only sees the struggling hosts attempt to escape the relegation zone but also marks a new chapter for Dortmund under recently appointed manager Niko Kovac.
Heidenheim are enduring a torrid season, sitting in 16th place with just 14 points, occupying the relegation playoff spot. Defensive frailties have been their Achilles heel, as demonstrated in their 2-1 defeat against Augsburg, where stoppage-time goals in both halves highlighted their vulnerability under pressure.
The team has conceded seven goals in their last three matches, showcasing a porous defence that will need significant improvement if they are to survive. Despite a dismal overall form, Heidenheim has shown marginal improvement at home, registering a win and a draw in their last three matches at Voith-Arena. However, their inability to maintain consistency is a significant concern as they prepare to face a formidable opponent.
Kovac takes charge of Borussia Dortmund for the first time, following the dismissal of Nuri Sahin after a poor start to 2025. Dortmund’s performance this season has been underwhelming, with the team currently in 11th place with 26 points. Their defensive frailty is glaring, with 33 goals conceded making them the fifth-worst defensive side in the league’s top 14.
Despite their struggles, Dortmund showed resilience in their 2-2 draw against Werder Bremen, playing with ten men for much of the game. They also secured a Champions League round of 16 playoff spot with a convincing 3-1 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk.
However, their recent Bundesliga form is worrisome, with no wins in their last four league games and a dismal away record, losing eight of their previous 11 road fixtures. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
FC Heidenheim
Heidenheim face this crucial fixture with some significant injury concerns. Midfielder Julian Niehues is ruled out until late February due to a cruciate ligament injury, while Niklas Dorsch remains unavailable and is not expected to make his comeback until March.
On the attacking front, the team could also be without winger Mathias Honsak, who continues to recover from a muscle injury and may need a few more days before returning to action. These absences leave head coach Frank Schmidt with limited options, especially in midfield and wide areas.
Despite the injury setbacks, Schmidt is likely to persist with the double-pivot midfield partnership of Luca Kerber and Jan Schoppner, which has started together in Heidenheim’s last two outings. This duo will be tasked with shielding the backline while also supporting attacking transitions.
In attack, Paul Wanner and Frans Kratzig are expected to operate on the flanks, providing width and creativity to complement striker Budu Zivzivadze, who will lead the line and aim to make the most of any chances created.
The probable formation for Heidenheim is a 4-2-3-1 setup. Kevin Muller will retain his place as the first-choice goalkeeper, marshalling a backline composed of Omar Traore at right-back, Jonas Fohrenbach on the left, and the central defensive duo of Patrick Mainka and Benedikt Gimber.
The midfield pivot of Kerber and Schoppner will sit deep to add defensive solidity, while Wanner, Kratzig, and Marvin Pieringer will form the attacking midfield trio behind Zivzivadze. This setup is designed to offer a balanced approach, blending defensive discipline with offensive opportunities through the wings and central spaces.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Muller; Traore, Mainka, Gimber, Fohrenbach; Kerber, Schoppner; Wanner, Pieringer, Kratzig; Zivzivadze
Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund head into the match against Heidenheim with significant defensive and midfield absences. Centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck will miss the game due to suspension after receiving a red card in Dortmund’s last Bundesliga outing.
Adding to their defensive woes, central defender Niklas Sule is sidelined with an ankle injury. These absences will likely prompt new manager Niko Kovac to deploy midfielder Emre Can as a makeshift centre-back, pairing him with Waldemar Anton in central defence.
In midfield, Dortmund will also be without Felix Nmecha, who is ruled out until March due to a knee injury. This leaves Kovac with limited options in the engine room, and he is expected to turn to the experienced duo of Pascal Gross and Marcel Sabitzer to form a double pivot. Their responsibilities will include shielding the defence, dictating play from deep, and providing a solid platform for the attacking unit.
The probable lineup for Dortmund is expected to be a 4-2-3-1 formation. Gregor Kobel will retain his place as the goalkeeper, commanding a backline featuring Julian Ryerson at right-back, Ramy Bensebaini at left-back, and the central pairing of Anton and Can. The double pivot of Gross and Sabitzer will operate in midfield, offering both defensive coverage and ball progression.
In the attacking third, Karim Adeyemi and Jamie Gittens will provide width and pace on the flanks, while Julian Brandt is set to play as the central attacking midfielder, tasked with creating chances for the front line. Leading the attack will be Serhou Guirassy, whose clinical finishing will be vital for Dortmund’s hopes of securing a victory in Kovac’s debut match in charge.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kobel; Ryerson, Anton, Can, Bensebaini; Gross, Sabitzer; Adeyemi, Brandt, Gittens; Guirassy
Key Stats
- Heidenheim and Borussia Dortmund are meeting for the fourth time in all competitions, all of which have been in the Bundesliga. Heidenheim have yet to secure a victory over Dortmund, with two draws and one defeat in their previous encounters. Dortmund won the reverse fixture 4-2 earlier this season.
- Heidenheim have already suffered 13 defeats this season, one more than they endured during the entirety of their debut Bundesliga campaign (W10 D12 L12). They have lost 11 of their last 14 league games (W1 D2) and are currently the worst-performing team in the division during this period, managing only five points.
- The hosts have claimed only seven points from their nine home games this season (W2 D1 L6), making them the worst team at home in the Bundesliga. They have scored just eight goals at Voith-Arena, with only FC St. Pauli (6) scoring fewer home goals in the 2024/25 season.
- With 26 points from 19 games, this is Borussia Dortmund’s worst Bundesliga campaign since the 2014/15 season under Jürgen Klopp, where they had 16 points at the same stage. Dortmund are winless in their last four league games (D1 L3), highlighting their struggles this year.
- Dortmund are currently at the bottom of a table representing 2025, with just one point. Heidenheim are slightly better with four points, but no side has claimed fewer points than Dortmund in the new year. Only SC Freiburg (12 goals) have conceded more goals than Dortmund (11) since the turn of the year.
Player to Watch
Jamie Gittens
Gittens is undoubtedly a bright spark in Borussia Dortmund’s squad during a challenging season. The young winger has been a standout performer, demonstrating his immense potential with his pace, trickery, and ability to take on defenders in one-on-one situations. The youngster’s direct style of play makes him a constant threat on the flanks, capable of creating scoring opportunities for his teammates or finding the back of the net himself.
In a season where Dortmund have struggled to find consistency, Gittens’s attacking contributions have been a rare highlight. With his ability to stretch defences and deliver incisive passes, the young talent will be crucial in breaking down a Heidenheim side that has shown vulnerability at the back. His movement off the ball and interplay with the likes of Julian Brandt and Serhou Guirassy could prove decisive in turning Dortmund’s fortunes around.
Prediction
Heidenheim 3-1 Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund’s superior squad quality and the potential lift from Kovac’s appointment make them the favourites for this encounter. However, their defensive vulnerability and poor away form leave room for Heidenheim to exploit opportunities, particularly on home turf.
Dortmund’s attacking firepower, spearheaded by key players like Julian Brandt and Jamie Gittens, should be enough to secure victory against a defensively shaky Heidenheim side. However, a goal for the hosts seems likely, given Dortmund’s defensive lapses.
