Prediction: Borussia Dortmund vs Heidenheim

Verdict: Both teams to score – No

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Looking to mark their return from the international break with a Bundesliga statement, Borussia Dortmund will welcome Heidenheim to Signal Iduna Park on Friday night.

Borussia Dortmund

Starting with the hosts, suffering Champions League final heartbreak back on June 1st as they fell to a 2-0 loss at the hands of Spanish icons Real Madrid, many were wondering if Borussia Dortmund would show any signs of a hangover this season. However, although Nuri Sahin’s squad might have opened up the 2024/25 campaign with an eye-catching 2-0 victory at home against Eintracht Frankfurt, BVB missed out on what was a potential opportunity last time out. Entering September’s international break with a 0-0 stalemate away at Werder Bremen, the one-time Liverpool midfielder will be calling on his squad to make a Bundesliga statement here. Desperate to mount a genuine Bundesliga title charge this season, it should be noted that Dortmund have suffered just a single domestic defeat in rural Germany since the end of February.

Team News

Shown a second-half red card away at Werder Bremen prior to September’s international break, German international defender Nico Schlotterbeck will serve a one-match suspension here. While summer recruit Serhou Guirassy might be inching towards making his Dortmund debut, the ex-Stuttgart striker still remains a doubt here.

Arriving from Premier League outfit Brighton this summer, 33-year-old Pascal Gross will start at the heart of BVB’s midfield on Friday night. Featuring for Holland over the fortnight interval, Donyell Malen could be handed a full recall and spearhead Sahin’s charge this weekend.

Heidenheim

As for the visitors, while Bayer Leverkusen might have stolen most of the Bundesliga’s headlines last season, Heidenheim embarked on what was a real fairytale. Springing an almighty upset as they clinched a maiden European ticket, Frank Schmidt’s men are riding what has been a sensational wave of momentum. Heading into September’s international break with a stellar 4-0 romp at home against Augsburg, Friday’s guests have come flying out of the traps. In fact, the Reds are one of just three Bundesliga outfits that can boast a 100% start to proceedings. In fact, gaining a real reputation for their free-scoring performances in the final third, Heidenheim have won each of their first five matchups across all competitions. Despite being tipped as a real underdog contender this weekend, Schmidt’s high-flying squad will certainly be relishing a trip to rural Germany this weekend.

Team News

Still dealing with respective long-term knee injuries and yet to make a single appearance across any competition since opening up the new campaign, Heidenheim remain without the duo of Thomas Keller and summer recruit Julian Niehues. Ex-Borussia Dortmund youngster Lennard Maloney will feature against his former club on Friday night.

Finding the net in all of his four competitive appearances so far this season and really bursting onto the scene, 18-year-old sensation Paul Wanner will play a leading role here. Opening his Bundesliga account against Augsburg prior to the fortnight break, former Schalke youngster Leo Scienza will lead Heidenheim’s attack.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Borussia Dortmund and Heidenheim last met back on February 2nd, Friday’s opponents played out a 0-0 stalemate at the Voith-Arena.
• Heidenheim are one of just three Bundesliga clubs that have collected maximum points from their opening two Bundesliga appearances.
• Likewise, including their Europa Conference League qualifying campaign, Friday’s guests have won each of their first five competitive matchups across all competitions.
• Borussia Dortmund have recorded back-to-back Bundesliga clean sheets for the first time since the start of February.
• BVB have suffered just a single domestic defeat in rural Germany since the end of February.

Conclusion

While Borussia Dortmund might mark their return from September’s international break pencilled in as a landslide contender, the German giants could face a rugged challenge here. Watching Heidenheim embark on what has become a famous fairytale and winning each of their opening two Bundesliga appearances, Friday’s guests have rightfully received a string of plaudits from across Germany’s elite. With the two sides playing out a 0-0 stalemate when they last met back on February 2nd, we could be set for another tactical battle here.

Verdict: Both teams to score – No

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: Dachbet