FC Heidenheim vs. FC St. Pauli preview: Schmidt seeks to delay the inevitable after departure news | OneFootball

Heidenheim host St. Pauli as both teams try to avoid a return to 2. Bundesliga. Frank Schmidt’s statement of a potential departure at the end of next season is the headline story ahead of the game at Voith-Arena.

Heidenheim

In his pre-match press conference, Schmidt suggested he’ll most likely leave Heidenheim at the end of his contract in June 2027. If that’ll be the case, one of the all-time longest managerial spells in European football will be concluded after 20 years.

After exceeding expectations in their first two Bundesliga campaigns, Heidenheim are now getting closer to relegation. If they lose to St. Pauli on Saturday, they will be confirmed as the first relegated team this season with three games to spare.

Team News

Eren Dinkçi could miss the game due to an injury. Bayern loanee Arijon Ibrahimovic will be a strong candidate in the absence of the winger, who returned to the club on a loan transfer in January.

St. Pauli

Alexander Blessin’s side are winless in their last six games, but they’re now facing a big opportunity to boost their survival hopes with a win over the bottom-placed team. A win on Saturday would put pressure on teams like Werder Bremen, while it would reduce one direct rival in the race for survival.

With the home game against Wolfsburg closing out their campaign, St. Pauli will have another six-pointer in the final month of the season. However, if they finish where they’re right now, there will be a relegation/promotion playoff tie against 2. Bundesliga’s third-placed team.

Team News

St. Pauli were hit by the serious knee injury to Mathias Pereira Lage in Wednesday’s training session. The attacker will be out for months as his debut Bundesliga season is now over.

Head-to-Head

Heidenheim have only won once in their last ten meetings against St. Pauli. A brace from Martijn Kaars secured a 2-1 win for Blessin’s men in the reverse fixture. St. Pauli are unbeaten at Voith-Arena since a 1-0 2. Bundesliga defeat in 2019.

Predicted Lineups

Heidenheim: Ramaj; Busch, Mainka ©, Föhrenbach, Behrens; Schöppner; Dorsch; Ibrahimovic, Honsak; Zivzivadze, Pieringer

St. Pauli: Vasilj; Ando, Wahl, Mets; Saliakas, Rasmussen, Irvine ©, Pyrka; Sinani, Fujita; Hountondji