1. FC Heidenheim aim to strengthen their promotion credentials when they host 1. FC Kaiserslautern in a key 2. Bundesliga clash on October 9. Sitting third in the table with 13 points from six matches, Frank Schmidt's side carries momentum from four wins in their last six league outings.
Their recent form reads three wins, a draw, and one loss from the last five matches. The season started with a thrilling 5-3 win over Dynamo Dresden, followed by narrow away victories at Greuther Fürth and Holstein Kiel. After a 2-2 draw at Arminia Bielefeld and a 3-0 defeat at Stuttgart, Heidenheim most recently beat Würzburger Kickers 3-1, with Marvin Kaufmann scoring twice. The full season stats reflect an attacking threat, with 14 goals scored; top scorer Jan Schöppner has found the net three times.
Opposition from the Palatinate
Kaiserslautern arrive off the back of a 1-0 home win against Eintracht Braunschweig but suffered a heavy 3-0 away loss at Magdeburg earlier in September. Currently fifth, the Palatinate club is a direct rival in the tight promotion race. Recent meetings between the two sides have been close and fiercely contested.
Expected Setup
In the last competitive line-up, a 4-4-2 used against Bielefeld, goalkeeper Timo Dähne and striker Budu Zivzivadze featured from the start. Whether Schmidt sticks with that framework or rotates after Kaufmann's strong showing is not yet clear. The current squad list details all available players for the task ahead.
A victory against their direct rivals Kaiserslautern would be a significant step in keeping pace with the league leaders. Heidenheim trail Hertha BSC by just five points. The match at the Voith-Arena kicks off on Friday, October 9, 2026. The next challenge in the 2. Bundesliga then awaits.
