Borussia Mönchengladbach – 1. FC Heidenheim 1846
During the week, the 3rd matchday in the Champions League took place. Then on Saturday, on the 9th matchday in the Bundesliga, two teams will meet that will probably come into contact with the top division rather less in the near future. On the Lower Rhine, it then comes between 13th and 11th place in the league. Find out who will secure three important points at Borussia-Park in our Gladbach – Heidenheim tip.
So far, Mönchengladbach has only managed to pick up one meager point at home and Heidenheim has only managed to pick up a single point away from home. The Foals have lost three consecutive home games for the first time this Bundesliga season. Against last-place Mainz, they only managed a 2-2 draw.
The next disappointment for VfL came the previous week. In the Rhineland derby against 1. FC Köln, Gladbach conceded its fourth defeat of the season. But the visitors from the Ostalb are also coming off a defeat. Against FC Augsburg, the promoted team squandered a two-goal lead and ultimately lost 2:5.
Gladbach – Heidenheim info:
- Date & Time: 10/28/2023, 3:30 p.m.
- Conference venue: Borussia-Park, Mönchengladbach
- Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 9
- TV broadcast: Sky
Gladbach form & balance check
Coach Gerardo Seoane signed on at the Niederrhein in the summer and was supposed to lead Gladbach Borussia back to higher table realms after a disappointing tenth place in the preseason. However, the start of the new season was anything but ideal for the Foals. In the first five games, the Foals picked up just two points in what was by all means a difficult opening program.
After the away win in Bochum, most Borussia fans were hoping for a turnaround. However, the 2-2 draw against last-place Mainz brought the Foals back down to earth. The previous week also saw a setback in the Rhineland derby against Cologne, when VfL lost 3-1.
Koné still without flow
Manu Koné was one of the biggest candidates for sale at Gladbach in the summer. After two strong years in the Borussia kit, the 22-year-old was on the books of many top European clubs. However, the young Frenchman then suffered a serious injury at the European Under-21 Championship, which ultimately prevented a transfer.
After the central midfielder missed the start of the season, Koné is now fit again. However, the youngster is still running behind his form so far. This lack of form culminated in the defeat in Cologne last weekend. First, the Frenchman caused the penalty before the 0:1 and later, to make matters worse, also conceded a red card after a rough foul play.
Gladbach facts & analysis
- In 13th place in the Bundesliga.
- Lost 1:3 in Cologne the previous week
- Only six Bundesliga wins in 2023
Heidenheim form & balance check
Whoever would have bet 15 years ago that 1. FC Heidenheim would now be playing in the Bundesliga would probably have won a lot of money. Back then, the men from the Ostalb were still competing in the fourth-tier Regionalliga Süd. But under the leadership of coach Frank Schmidt, Heidenheim continued to develop steadily and was promoted from the 2nd Bundesliga in the preseason.
And the men from the Brenz are also doing quite well in the top flight so far. After eight games, Heidenheim is in a solid eleventh place in the table. In the previous week, however, the Heidenheimers squandered a 2-0 lead for the second time. Last Sunday, they lost 5-2 against Augsburg.
Dinkci is blossoming
In Heidenheim’s offense, Kleindienst, Beste, and Dinkci are whirling week in and week out, providing plenty of scoring threat. But while Beste and Kleindienst were also elementary for the promotion, Dinkci only moved to the Brenz in the summer.
The German-Turkish player was loaned by SV Werder Bremen and also comes from the youth department of the North Germans. However, the 21-year-old previously failed to assert himself at SVW and only made 25 appearances in the German top flight at the Weser. In Heidenheim, however, Dinkci is now set and has already contributed four goals.
Heidenheim facts & analysis
- In 11th place in the Bundesliga standings.
- Lost 2:5 against Augsburg in last game
- Still without an away win in the Bundesliga
Predicted lineup – last update on October 26, 2023
For Gladbach, we expect the 3-5-2 again, but Borussia will have to do without Manu Koné, who was sent off against the Geißböcke. In central defense, we can well imagine that the young Fabio Chiarodia will make his debut.
For Heidenheim, we again assume a 4-2-3-1 for the guest game in Mönchengladbach. Up front we expect Beste, Kleindienst and Dinkci to whirl together again.
Gladbach – Heidenheim direct comparison & statistics
The two teams have only met once before. In the 2nd round of the DFB Cup in 2011, Gladbach narrowly won 4:3 on penalties against the men from the Ostalb. At the time, Heidenheim was still at home in the 3rd division.
- Heidenheim has never won against Gladbach
- Both teams are separated by two places in the league.
- Gladbach only with one home point and Heidenheim with one away point this season
