Heidenheim v Bayern Munich preview: Wounded Rekordmeister look to wrap league title
| Kompany's side returns to Bundesliga action in Heidenheim | Adam Pretty/Getty Images |
Heidenheim
Frank Schmidt's side is only two points above automatic relegation place, which is currently occupied by Bochum. After successive wins, they failed to score in defeats against Champions League-bound teams Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankurt.
Schmidt and co. would like to avoid a drop to second-tier in a season they enjoyed an improbable European adventure. Heidenheim came close to eliminating FC Copenhagen in the European Conference League playoff round after their memorable run in the league phase.
Back to Bundesliga, they regained form since the European exit with eight points from five matches before the recent tricky fixture list. It'll not get any easier on Saturday as they welcome champions-elect Bayern before facing Pokal finalists Stuttgart away from home next weekend.
Team News
Budu Zivzivadze and Mathias Honsak are still unavailable for Heidenheim. Meanwhile, Norman Theuerkauf is a doubt because of an illness. Schmidt is counting on Bayern loanees Frans Krätzig and Paul Wanner who are both in contention to start.
FC Bayern
Vincent Kompany's debut season at Allianz Arena is mainly about winning the Meisterschale after the disappointing end to Thomas Tuchel's time at the club. To that end, Bayern set to finish the job as soon as possible.
Although the Champions League final is set to be played at their home, you could hardly expect the young coach to make an immediate impact in Europe's premier competition. Against Inter, Bayern played two close games, but Simone Inzaghi's team came out victorious in the end.
Fresh from their European disappointment, Bayern will now have to pose the challenge of playing in Heidenheim's small stadium. FCH did beat Bayern in their first-ever Bundesliga meeting last term.
Team News
Leon Goretzka joined Bayern's long injury list after a knock on his calf. Manuel Neuer, Dayot Upamecano, Alphonso Davies, Hiroki Ito and Jamal Musiala are all currently on the sidelines.
