Heidenheim vs FSV Mainz 05 Predictions

• Heidenheim have avoided defeat in eight of their last 11 home league games, winning four.
• Mainz have lost four of their last six away Bundesliga matches, with two draws.
• Nikola Dovedan has scored in three of his last seven appearances for Heidenheim

Heidenheim are hard to beat at home

The odds for Sunday’s clash between mid-table Heidenheim and relegation-threatened Mainz are all askew, which makes the hosts an intriguing play to get a positive result.

There is no doubt that Mainz, who are unbeaten in their last six games with three wins and threw draws, have more to gain from this fixture as they battle against the drop while Heidenheim have long since secured their place in the top flight for another year.

But the visitors will be without three suspended players, all of whom started their 1-1 draw with Cologne last weekend, for this trip to Voith-Arena – where the home side have been hard to beat all season.

Suspended trio will be missed by Mainz

Heidenheim have lost only three of their last 11 home Bundesliga matches and all of them were close and recent. A 2-1 defeat to champions-elect Bayer Leverkusen was followed by another home loss by the same score to sixth-placed Eintracht Frankfurt.

Then, after Bayern Munich had been beaten 3-2 in Baden-Württemberg, RB Leipzig needed a late Lois Openda winner to inflict another 2-1 defeat on Heidenheim a fortnight ago.

The results sequence looks unimpressive, but the standard of opponent Heidenheim have played has been very high, which is a reason to believe in them beating Mainz in this matchup. Given the recent form lines, this would be a very even contest if both teams were close to full strength, but Mainz’s suspended trio tip the balance in Heidenheim’s favour.