Heidenheim vs Werder Bremen predictions: Bremen can bag a draw at Heidenheim
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- Heidenheim are unbeaten in their last three Bundesliga matches
- Werder Bremen undefeated in their last seven games
- Recommended Bet: Draw
Heidenheim still harbour faint hopes of avoiding a relegation play-off as they prepare to entertain Werder Bremen on the final day of the Bundesliga season.
A swashbuckling win at Union Berlin and defeats for Bochum and Holstein Kiel last week mean Frank Schmidt's team can finish no lower than 16th.
Their slim prospects of securing outright safety will depend on them winning and 15th-placed Hoffenheim losing to champions Bayern Munich, with a six-goal difference swing in their favour.
Werder's hopes of playing in Europe next season are all but over after last weekend's goalless draw against RB Leipzig.
Even if they win and Leipzig and Mainz lose on the final day, it will take an improbable swing in goal difference to carry them into the top six.
Team news
Heidenheim goalkeeper Kevin Muller has recovered from a head injury and is expected to be back between the posts against Werder Bremen.
The 34-year-old spent several days in hospital after suffering a concussion in the 0-0 draw against Bochum earlier this month. He has declared himself ready to return, leaving Schmidt having a full squad to choose from for this season finale.
Aside from the question of who takes the gloves, the coach will probably field the same line-up as in the 3-0 win at Union Berlin.
As for Bremen, striker Oliver Burke (toe) is the only player missing for Saturday’s game. His place could go to Justin Njinmah, Keke Topp or Marco Grull.
The stats
Heidenheim’s 3-0 victory at Union Berlin last week was their biggest away win ever in Germany’s top-flight.
But Schmidt’s side have the Bundesliga’s worst home record this season after collecting a total of 11 points at Voith-Arena and failing to score in 10 of their 16 matches there.
Meanwhile, Werder are the third-strongest away team in the Bundesliga with only Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen having taken more points on the road.
Ole Werner’s side have won eight of their 16 away matches.
Jens Stage scored his eighth and ninth goals of the season in Bremen's last away game, a 2-2 draw at Union and his team has yet to lose when he has scored this season (W4, D2).
Prediction
These sides could not be separated when they met in Bremen in January as Leo Scienza snatched a point for Heidenheim with a brilliant free-kick in stoppage time.
It was a see-saw contest with the hosts unable to shake off Schmidt’s side, who equalised three times.
This match could prove to be just as exciting with Heidenheim duty-bound to push for the win, while Werder await opportunities to pick them off.
The Green-Whites are unbeaten in seven matches and will want to finish the campaign well.
Werner’s men have been watertight at the back during that run, keeping five clean sheets and conceding only three goals.
Heidenheim have shut out their last three opponents too, so there is a chance that this one finishes goalless if the defences remain solid.
A draw looks like the best option in match result betting because, unless Hoffenheim capitulate against Bayern Munich, Schmidt’s side could accept their fate and ensure they do not lose ahead of the relegation play-off.
Back a draw at 14/5 with LiveScore Bet
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