News Focus
- Heidenheim must win away at Köln to keep their hopes of avoiding relegation alive
- Köln are already guaranteed safety after St. Pauli and Wolfsburg lost on Saturday
- Frank Feller replaces Diant Ramaj in goal for the visitors in a surprise move
- Köln midfielder Eric Martel serves a suspension after receiving ten yellow cards
- Veterans Florian Kainz and Dominique Heintz start on the bench for their final home appearance
Heidenheim travel to the RheinEnergieStadion knowing only victory will give them a chance of Bundesliga survival on the final matchday. The away side sit in the relegation zone and must secure three points whilst hoping other results go their way.
The hosts have already confirmed their place in next season’s top flight. Köln’s safety was secured after St. Pauli and Wolfsburg both suffered defeats on Saturday afternoon.
Manager Frank Schmidt has made a shock change between the posts. Frank Feller starts in goal instead of regular keeper Diant Ramaj. The visitors are also without defender Jonas Föhrenbach, who misses the clash after suffering a concussion and a nasal fracture in last week’s 3-3 draw with champions Bayern Munich.
Köln are missing midfielder Eric Martel through suspension. He serves a one-match ban after collecting his tenth yellow card of the campaign. Four other players in the home squad are walking a tightrope with nine bookings each and risk missing the season finale away at Bayern Munich.
Experienced duo Florian Kainz and Dominique Heintz are both named among the substitutes. The pair are expected to make their farewell appearances at the stadium during the second half.
Köln starting XI: Schwäbe (C); Sebulonsen, Schmied, Özkacar, Lund; Krauß, Johannesson; Maina, Kaminski, Bülter; El Mala
Heidenheim starting XI: Feller; Behrens, Fohrenbach, Mainka (C), Traoré; Schöppner, Dorsch; Dinkci, Pieringer, Ibrahimovic; Zivzivadze