Thursday 22 May 2025 · Kick-off 19:30 BST / 20:30 CEST · Voith-Arena, Heidenheim

The curtain has not yet fallen on either club’s season. Sixteenth-placed Heidenheim finished their first Bundesliga campaign clinging to the relegation play-off slot; defeat here would undo ten months’ graft. Elversberg, third in the 2. Bundesliga, are one 180-minute upset away from a maiden top-flight berth. The play-off’s first leg in Swabia therefore pitches a bruised Bundesliga outfit—winless in four and walloped 4-1 by Bremen last time out—against a second-division upstart unbeaten in six. A sizable away-goal rule is long gone, so aggregate score alone decides who joins the 2025-26 Bundesliga. Expect a tight, nervy opening in front of a sell-out Voith-Arena.

Heidenheim vs Elversberg.png

Form Tracker & Head-to-Head

	Heidenheim	Elversberg
Last 6 (all comps)	W 2 D 1 L 3	W 4 D 2 L 0
Goals F / A	5 / 12	13 / 5
Home run	1 win in 5	—
H2H since 2022	W 2 D 0 L 0	W 0 D 0 L 2

Heidenheim did the double over Elversberg in the 2022-23 2. Bundesliga, but both squads look very different two seasons on.

Team-News Snapshot

Heidenheim

OUT: Marvin Pieringer (ankle), Patrick Mainka (knee).
Doubt: Keeper Kevin Müller (shoulder) but expected to start with strapping.
Boost: Jan Schöppner returns to anchor midfield after suspension.

Probable XI (4-2-3-1) Müller; Traoré, Busch, Siersleben, Föhrenbach; Maloney, Schöppner; Dinkçi, Beste, Pick; Kleindienst.

Elversberg

OUT: Manuel Feil (ACL).
Doubt: Joseph Boyamba (calf) – late test.
Fit again: Robin Fellhauer slots back into right-back.

Probable XI (4-4-2) Kristof; Fellhauer, Wanner, Rosenfelder, Sickinger; Rochelt, Jacobsen, Schnellbacher, Sahin; Mustafa, Stock.

Key Tactics & Match-Ups

High-press v Build-out: Elversberg’s 4-4-2 press tries to rattle Heidenheim’s centre-backs Siersleben & Busch.
Beste service: Heidenheim’s set-piece maestro targets 6’4″ striker Tim Kleindienst—Elversberg concede 30 % of goals from dead balls.
Double-pivot duel: Maloney & Schöppner must screen quick inside passes to Elversberg front two.
Wide threat: Flank pair Dinkçi / Rochelt—whichever winger breaks free first could swing momentum.
Bench energy: Elversberg super-sub Luca Schnellbacher (10 league goals) offers late pace; Heidenheim’s Kevin Sessa counters with creativity after 70′.

Latest Odds (90-Minute)*

Result	Best price	Implied %
Heidenheim	21/10	32
Draw	12/5	29
Elversberg	13/10	39

Goals: Over 2.5 @ 5/6 · BTTS Yes @ 4/5.
Aggregate of UK books 13:00 BST, 22 May; subject to change.

Betting Tips & Best Bets

BTTS (4/5) – both sides scored in 5 of Elversberg’s last 6; Heidenheim leaked 12 in that span.
Elversberg Draw-No-Bet (Evs) – sizzling form vs a wobbling Bundesliga side.
Kleindienst anytime (2/1) – 11 league goals, aerial mismatch on corners.
Under 10.5 match corners (5/6) – first-leg caution historically lowers corner count.

Where to Have a Flutter 💷

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Conclusion & Viewing Guide 📺

The Bundesliga place on the line should ensure a tense, physical first leg. Elversberg carry the form, Heidenheim the top-tier pedigree; margins will be razor-thin.

Kick-off: 19:30 BST / 20:30 CEST, Thursday 22 May 2025
Venue: Voith-Arena, Heidenheim
Live (UK): Sky Sports Mix & Main Event (coverage from 19:00)
Streaming: Sky Go / NOW TV Day Pass
Radio: talkSPORT 2

Settle in for play-off drama—ideal betting fodder before Sunday’s return leg in Saarland.

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