Football Match Preview: Borussia Dortmund vs Heidenheim - Analysis & Insights
On Friday evening, Borussia Dortmund will play host to current Bundesliga leaders, Heidenheim. A fixture of the two last standing sides to have conceded a goal yet this season.
Dortmund have had a strong start to the season, two late goals from Jamie Bynoe-Gittens in the opening game of the season against Frankfurt and a close match draw against Werder Bremen which leaves Dortmund scratching for 3 points against Heidenheim to climb, potentially, to the top of the table.
Heidenheim have cruised their way to the top of the Bundesliga with stand out youngster, Paul Wanner being the star man with 2 goals and 1 assist in the opening two games of the season. Convincing 2-0 and 4-0 wins over St Pauli and Augsburg leave Heidenheim top of the table joint level on points with Bayern Munich.
Borussia Dortmund:
Nico Schlotterbeck is suspended for Friday's fixture as well as Giovanni Reyna and Kjell Waten ruled out with injuries for the coming weeks.
New signings Yan Couto could make a return but is still doubtful whereas Serhou Guirassy is set to make his return to German football after being ruled out with a knee injury.
FC Heidenheim:
Heidenheim will be without Julian Niehues and Thomas Leon Keller due to cruciate ligament injuries.
Lennerd Maloney with a back injury but will be back for the fixture following.
For Dortmund, the player to keep your eyes on is, without a doubt, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens. Dortmund's only goal scorer so far this season, The England u21 shows no sign of slowing down and could be onto his breakout season.
The 20 year old has been a regular feature for Dortmund over the last two seasons, ever since his departure from Manchester City, and has waited patiently for his time to become a first team starter and this could be, and should be, his season.
As for Heidenheim, Paul Wanner is the star boy everyone in the footballing world should be looking out for this season. Currently on loan at Heidenheim from Bayern Munich, the loanee has kickstarted his campaign better than ever.
The 18 year old is going to be Heidenheim’s main man this season after already bagging twice and picking up one assist in the first two games of the season and shows no sign of slowing down and will be working hard to prove Vincent Kompany that he deserves minutes in the first team of the Bundesliga juggernauts Bayern Munich.
Despite where both teams stand in the table, Dortmund will be one of the more difficult teams to face this season for Heidenheim, not vice versa. I would expect Dortmund to win, especially playing at Signal Iduna Park.
I am backing Dortmund to take home all 3 points but the previous 2 head to head fixtures would beg to differ as in both of last season's fixtures, the result ended up in both sides taking a point off each other.
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