FC Heidenheim vs. St. Pauli Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 18 January 2025 - bettingexpert
This mid-season Bundesliga match sees FC Heidenheim and St. Pauli battling it out at the Voith-Arena. With both teams languishing near the bottom of the table—Heidenheim in 15th and St. Pauli in 14th—every point is crucial.
Both teams are coming off rough patches. Heidenheim has managed only one clean sheet in their last five games, highlighting their defensive struggles. St. Pauli, on the other hand, has shown poor offensive form, scoring just 0.40 goals per game in their last five matches. Their recent loss to VfL Bochum and a controversial red card incident reflect their turbulent campaign so far.
Given the teams’ lack of firepower, our match prediction leans towards under 2.5 goals. Heidenheim holds a slight bookmaker’s edge, but with their significant injury list and historical challenges against St. Pauli, it could be a tight match.
Expect a cautious affair with both teams eager to avoid further slip-ups. The under 2.5 goals bet at odds of 1.93 is a recommended tip for this low-scoring encounter.
FC Heidenheim vs St. Pauli Prediction & Betting Tip
Given the current form of both teams, the most recommended betting tip for this match is to go with “Under 2.5 Goals.” Here’s why:
- FC Heidenheim and St. Pauli are both struggling offensively, averaging 1.40 and 0.40 goals respectively in their last five games.
- St. Pauli have conceded most goals in the time intervals 76-90, 61-75, 31-45, and 16-30 this season, indicating potential defensive lapses towards the end of halves.
- Both sides have only managed one clean sheet in their last five outings, highlighting vulnerabilities but not necessarily predicting high-scoring results.
| FC Heidenheim vs St. Pauli Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Under 2.5 Goals | 1.93 |
Three reasons why this prediction is solid:
- Low Scoring Trends: Both teams have exhibited poor goal-scoring form recently.
- Defensive Struggles: Despite defensive issues, they haven’t translated into high cumulative scores.
- Balanced Odds: Bookmaker odds support a low-scoring affair, making under 2.5 goals a favorable bet.
With these factors in mind, “Under 2.5 Goals” appears to be the safest bet for this encounter.
FC Heidenheim vs St. Pauli Odds
For those looking to place a bet on this encounter, here are the latest odds:
| FC Heidenheim vs St. Pauli Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| FC Heidenheim | 2.43 |
| Draw | 3.44 |
| St. Pauli | 2.80 |
The bookmakers have pegged FC Heidenheim as slight favourites with odds of 2.43 for a home win. A draw is a bit less likely at 3.44, while a St. Pauli victory stands at 2.80.
Considering both teams are neck-and-neck in the table and struggling with form, these odds reflect the balanced nature of this matchup. Betting on a draw might provide intriguing value, given both sides’ inconsistent performances recently.
FC Heidenheim Team Analysis
FC Heidenheim Recent Performance
FC Heidenheim’s recent form has been inconsistent, showcasing their struggles this season. Here’s a look at their last five matches:
| Home team | Away team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| FC Heidenheim | Augsburg | 1-2 (Loss) |
| FC Heidenheim | Freiburg | 3-0 (Win) |
| Darmstadt | FC Heidenheim | 2-2 (Draw) |
| FC Heidenheim | Wolfsburg | 1-3 (Loss) |
| Werder Bremen | FC Heidenheim | 1-0 (Loss) |
During these games, Heidenheim managed to score an average of 1.40 goals but also faced challenges in tightening their defence. They secured one clean sheet out of the last five, indicating some potential in defence despite their overall struggles.
The side’s fortunes were better when they beat Freiburg 3-0, showing their potential for strong performances. However, they will need to find consistency and a tighter defence to move up from their current position at 15th in the Bundesliga.
FC Heidenheim Key Players
Marvin Pieringer stands out as FC Heidenheim’s top scorer with 4 goals this season. He’ll be crucial in breaking down St. Pauli’s defense. His duels with defenders like Erik Smith and Hauke Wahl might be pivotal.
Niklas Dorsch, in midfield, despite his recent knee injury, has consistently been a key player when fit, helping control the tempo and providing assists. However, he’s sidelined until early March.
Expected lineup for FC Heidenheim:
- Goalkeeper: Kevin Müller
- Defenders: Omar Traoré, Patrick Mainka, Benedikt Gimber (doubtful), Frans Krätzig
- Midfielders: Norman Theuerkauf, Jan Schöppner, Paul Wanner, Sirlord Conteh, Léo Scienza (doubtful)
- Attacker: Marvin Pieringer
Key individual battles to watch include Pieringer’s attempts to overcome Smith and Wahl in St. Pauli’s defense.
FC Heidenheim Suspensions & Injuries
FC Heidenheim is currently dealing with a significant number of injuries, which could impact their performance against St. Pauli.
Here’s a look at the injury list:
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Julian Niehues | Cruciate ligament injury | Late January 2025 |
| Mathias Honsak | Muscle injury | Late January 2025 |
| Niklas Dorsch | Knee injury | Early March 2025 |
| Jonas Föhrenbach | Hip injury | Mid-February 2025 |
| Léo Scienza | Cold | Doubtful |
| Benedikt Gimber | Knee injury | Late February 2025 |
No suspensions to report.
With key players like Julian Niehues and Niklas Dorsch out, Frank Schmidt will need to rely on the depth of his squad. The absence of Gimber in defense is another blow, potentially disrupting their backline stability. Marvin Pieringer will also need to step up with Scienza potentially unavailable.
FC Heidenheim Tactics and Formation
FC Heidenheim Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Marvin Pieringer
- Midfield Duo: Norman Theuerkauf and Jan Schöppner
- Theuerkauf is a crucial defensive shield, while Schöppner provides box-to-box dynamism.
- Attacking Trio:
- Right Wing: Sirlord Conteh
- Attacking Midfield: Paul Wanner
- Left Wing: Léo Scienza
- Defensive Setup:
- Centre-Back Pairing: Patrick Mainka and Benedikt Gimber
- Full-Backs: Omar Traoré (right) and Frans Krätzig (left)
- Defensive Strategy: Focus on tight marking and blocking passing lanes, especially with Gimber’s absence disrupting backline stability.
- Notable Strategy: Heidenheim tend to increase their attacking intensity during the 61-75-minute interval, often pushing forward to maximize scoring opportunities.
Coach Frank Schmidt will be looking to exploit St. Pauli’s vulnerability in the latter stages of each half, possibly capitalizing on counterattacks led by Wanner’s creativity and Pieringer’s finishing prowess.
St. Pauli Team Analysis
St. Pauli Recent Performance
St. Pauli has been struggling to find consistency in recent matches. Their last five games have not been favorable, recording three consecutive losses followed by a single win and then another loss. Here’s how their recent performances have unfolded:
| Home team | Away team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Paderborn | St. Pauli | 3-0 (Loss) |
| St. Pauli | Hannover 96 | 0-2 (Loss) |
| Sandhausen | St. Pauli | 1-0 (Loss) |
| St. Pauli | Karlsruhe | 1-0 (Win) |
| Hertha BSC | St. Pauli | 2-1 (Loss) |
- Recent Form: LLLWL
- Average Goals Scored (Last 5 Games): 0.40
- Clean Sheets (Last 5 Games): 1
Offensively, St. Pauli has struggled, managing just 0.40 goals per game over their last five outings. Defensively, they’ve also been leaky, keeping just one clean sheet in that period.
The team needs to shore up both ends of the pitch if they want to climb out of their current 14th position in the Bundesliga standings.
St. Pauli Key Players
St. Pauli, under the guidance of Alexander Blessin, will look to key players to pull them through this challenging fixture against FC Heidenheim. Though they’ve recently struggled for goals, Johannes Eggestein, their top scorer, will aim to spearhead the attack.
Expected lineup for St. Pauli:
- Goalkeeper: Nikola Vasilj
- Defenders: Hauke Wahl, Eric Smith, David Nemeth
- Midfielders: Manolis Saliakas, Jackson Irvine, Carlo Boukhalfa, Philipp Treu
- Attackers: Morgan Guilavogui, Danel Sinani, Oladapo Afolayan
Jackson Irvine and Carlo Boukhalfa in midfield will be pivotal in dictating play and supporting the forwards. Key individual battles will include Oladapo Afolayan up against Heidenheim’s Patrick Mainka, and Eggestein against their seasoned goalkeeper, Kevin Müller.
St. Pauli Suspensions & Injuries
St. Pauli have a significant number of injuries and a suspension to manage ahead of their clash against FC Heidenheim. This could disrupt their strategy and limit Alexander Blessin’s options.
Injuries
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Simon Zoller | Calf injury | Late January 2025 |
| Sascha Burchert | Groin injury | Late January 2025 |
| Sören Ahlers | Knee injury | Late February 2025 |
| Connor Metcalfe | Groin injury | Late January 2025 |
| Elias Saad | Ligament injury | About a week |
| Robert Wagner | Hip injury | Early February 2025 |
| Karol Mets | Tendon injury | A few days |
| Lars Ritzka | Muscle injury | Late January 2025 |
| Ben Voll | Broken jaw | Late January 2025 |
| Johannes Eggestein | Illness | A few days |
Suspension
| Player | Suspension | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Adam Dzwigala | Red card | After 1 match |
The absence of Johannes Eggestein, although short, might affect St. Pauli’s attacking capability, given their recent struggles in front of goal. Adam Dzwigala’s suspension will further complicate defensive duties.
St. Pauli Tactics and Formation
St. Pauli’s Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 3-4-3
- Key Forward: Morgan Guilavogui
- Midfield Quartet: Manolis Saliakas, Jackson Irvine, Carlo Boukhalfa, Philipp Treu
- Defensive Setup: Hauke Wahl, Eric Smith, David Nemeth; they will be key to maintaining a sturdy backline.
St. Pauli’s 3-4-3 formation favors a balanced approach to both attack and defense. Jackson Irvine in midfield provides stability while making attacking transitions smoother. With Morgan Guilavogui leading the line, the team focuses on swift counter-attacks, particularly effective against teams vulnerable during the 16-30 and 31-45-minute intervals. Despite conceding 1.2 goals on average, their ability to withstand pressure and strike back quickly is crucial for this match.
FC Heidenheim vs St. Pauli Head-to-Head Statistics
The previous five encounters between FC Heidenheim and St. Pauli have been closely contested, showcasing a mix of results. Here’s a breakdown:
| Home | Away | Result |
|---|---|---|
| St. Pauli | FC Heidenheim | 0-2 |
| FC Heidenheim | St. Pauli | 0-1 |
| St. Pauli | FC Heidenheim | 0-0 |
| St. Pauli | FC Heidenheim | 1-0 |
| FC Heidenheim | St. Pauli | 2-4 |
These previous meetings indicate that both teams have had their moments of dominance. Notably, Heidenheim managed to win in the last clash, suggesting they could take confidence from that result into this upcoming match.
Odds accurate as of 16 January 2025 14:32, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.
