We are only two games into the Bundesliga season but Heidenheim surprisingly lead the table heading into the international break.
On Friday, they face their toughest task of the campaign so far as they take on Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund.
Match Preview
Dortmund recent form
On the first day of the new Bundesliga campaign a few weeks ago, Dortmund started with a comfortable 2-0 win at home to Eintracht Frankfurt, with Jamie Bynoe-Gittens coming off the bench to score both goals. For that performance, the English winger earned himself an 8.6 FC Rating, though Nico Schlotterbeck proved to be Player of the Match with his rating of 8.7.
In their next match, BVB could only manage a 0-0 draw away at Werder Bremen. Star signing Maximilian Beier flopped in that one as he earned a rating of 5.1 following a lacklustre display in front of goal.
Dortmund injury and team news
Schlotterbeck is suspended after he picked up two yellow cards in the draw against Werder Bremen.
Giovanni Reyna has a groin strain and will be out until the start of October, but there are hopes that Yan Couto and Serhou Guirassy could be passed fit after struggling with knee and physical issues recently.
Last Dortmund starting XI
Dortmund (4-2-3-1): Kobel; Ryerson, Anton, Sule; Schlotterbeck; Can, Gross; Sabitzer, Brandt, Bynoe-Gittens; Beier
Heidenheim recent form
Heidenheim have started the new campaign superbly win two wins out of two against St.Pauli and Augsburg, with the latter match impressively finishing 4-0 to the hosts.
They have scored six goals in those two matches and conceded none. That +6 goal difference is why they currently sit top of the table ahead of Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig.
Heidenheim injury and team news
Julian Nieheus hasn't played since April due to a serious knee injury, there are hopes that he could be available for selection towards the end of December.
Similarly, Thomas Keller has missed nearly a year of action due to a knee injury.
Last Heidenheim starting XI
Muller; Traore, Mainka, Gimber, Fohrenbach; Maloney, Schoppner; Beck, Wanner, Scienza; Pieringer
Dortmund - Player to Watch?
Bynoe-Gittens is the only player to have scored a Bundesliga goal for Dortmund so far this campaign. His two goals against Frankfurt earned him a start versus Bremen that he didn't take advantage of, so he'll be looking for a much better outing here.
Heidenheim - Player to Watch?
On-loan Bayern Munich wonderkid Paul Wanner secured a goal and an assist for himself in the 4-0 win versus Augsburg.
In fact, Wanner has found the back of the net in every Heidenheim game so far this season - two goals in the Bundesliga and one in the German Cup.
Dortmund vs Heidenheim - Prediction
Dortmund to win and Under 2.5 Goal Scored
BVB have won their last three home games, while in five of Heidenheim's last 6 away games there has been under 3 goals scored.
Heidenheim may have scored six goals in two games, but they were against lesser opposition than Dortmund so they may find this one tough away from home.
The previous meeting between these two sides was not one to live long in the memory; that match finished without a goal, and both teams settling for a point apiece.
Scoreline prediction - Dortmund 2-0 Heideheim
