St. Pauli vs Heidenheim Match Preview: Crucial Relegation Battle at Millerntor-Stadion

Match Details

Competition: Bundesliga 2025/26 – Matchday 14
Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025
Kick-off Time: 14:30 UTC (15:30 CET / 9:30 AM ET)
Venue: Millerntor-Stadion, Hamburg, Germany
Referee: TBC

Current League Standings & Form

St. Pauli – Fighting to Escape the Drop Zone

Position: 17th Place (Relegation play-off zone)
Points: 7 points from 13 matches
Record: 2 wins, 1 draw, 10 losses
Goals Scored: 9 | Goals Conceded: 26
Goal Difference: -17

Recent Form (Last 6 Matches): L-L-D-L-L-L
St. Pauli are enduring a nightmare season in their second consecutive campaign in the Bundesliga. The club hasn’t remained in the German top tier since 1997, and current form suggests another relegation battle. Manager Alexander Blessin has struggled to find solutions, with the team mired in 17th place and only six points from safety. Their last victory came against Augsburg on September 14.

Last Five Results:

• Köln 1-1 St. Pauli (Dec 6) – Bundesliga
• Bayern Munich 3-1 St. Pauli (Nov 29) – Bundesliga
• St. Pauli 0-1 Union Berlin (Nov 23) – Bundesliga
• Freiburg 2-1 St. Pauli (Nov 9) – Bundesliga
• St. Pauli 0-4 Borussia Mönchengladbach (Nov 1) – Bundesliga

Heidenheim – Rock Bottom Without a Win

Position: 18th Place (Automatic relegation zone)
Points: 4 points from 13 matches
Record: 0 wins, 4 draws, 9 losses
Goals Scored: 8 | Goals Conceded: 26
Goal Difference: -18

Recent Form (Last 6 Matches): D-D-D-D-D-D
Heidenheim are experiencing an unprecedented crisis, sitting rock bottom of the Bundesliga with zero wins from 13 matches. The defending Conference League participants have drawn their last six consecutive matches, unable to find a winning formula under manager Frank Schmidt. Their entire season has been characterized by draws and defeats, with no victories to speak of. The club’s remarkable 13-match unbeaten streak is cold comfort when none were wins.

Last Five Results:

• Heidenheim 0-0 Mainz (Dec 7) – Bundesliga
• Hoffenheim 2-2 Heidenheim (Nov 30) – Bundesliga
• Heidenheim 0-0 Stuttgart (Nov 23) – Bundesliga
• Borussia Mönchengladbach 3-0 Heidenheim (Nov 22) – DFB-Pokal
• Bayer Leverkusen 2-2 Heidenheim (Nov 9) – Bundesliga

Head-to-Head Record

These two sides have a rich history of closely contested matches:

Recent Meetings:

• St. Pauli 3-0 Heidenheim (Jan 18, 2025) – 2. Bundesliga
• Heidenheim 0-2 St. Pauli (Aug 25, 2024) – 2. Bundesliga
• St. Pauli 0-2 Heidenheim (Apr 8, 2023) – 2. Bundesliga
• Heidenheim 0-1 St. Pauli (Oct 1, 2022) – 2. Bundesliga
• St. Pauli 1-0 Heidenheim (Mar 18, 2022) – 2. Bundesliga

Overall Head-to-Head Stats (Last 20 meetings):

• St. Pauli wins: 9 (45%)
• Heidenheim wins: 8 (40%)
• Draws: 3 (15%)
• Total goals scored: 50 (St. Pauli 24, Heidenheim 26)
• Average goals per match: 2.50

Key Statistics:

• St. Pauli have won the last 3 consecutive meetings
• In the last 6 matches, both teams failed to score (no BTTS)
• Last 6 meetings have all been Under 2.5 goals
• St. Pauli unbeaten in last 4 head-to-head encounters
• Home advantage has been crucial in recent meetings

Team News & Injuries

St. Pauli Injury List

Out:

• Carlo Boukhalfa (Knee injury – long-term)
• Maurides (Knee injury – doubtful)

Key Players Available:

• Andreas Hountondji (Forward – 4 goals, top scorer)
• Danel Sinani (Forward – 3 goals, Luxembourg international)
• Jackson Irvine (Midfielder/Captain – experienced leader)
• Hauke Wahl (Defender – 2 goals from set pieces)
• Mathias Pereira Lage (Midfielder – 2 goals)
• Nikola Vasilj (Goalkeeper – under constant pressure)
• James Sands (Midfielder – winter signing providing stability)

Heidenheim Injury List

Out:

• Norman Theuerkauf (Long-term injury)
• Tim Siersleben (Injury concerns)

Doubts:

• Léo Scienza (Fitness being assessed)

Key Players Available:

• Stefan Schimmer (Forward – 3 goals, joint-top scorer)
• Léo Scienza (Midfielder – 3 goals, joint-top scorer)
• Mikkel Kaufmann (Forward – 2 goals)
• Jonas Föhrenbach (Defender – 2 goals from left-back)
• Paul Wanner (Midfielder – on loan from Bayern, creative force)
• Kevin Müller (Goalkeeper – experienced veteran)
• Jan Schöppner (Midfielder – 2 goals, defensive anchor)

Tactical Analysis

St. Pauli’s Approach

Manager Alexander Blessin typically deploys a 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 formation, emphasizing defensive solidity and quick transitions. With the club desperate for points, expect a more aggressive approach at home, particularly given their recent head-to-head dominance over Heidenheim.

Strengths:

• Recent head-to-head record (3 consecutive wins)
• Home advantage at Millerntor-Stadion
• Hountondji’s goalscoring threat (4 goals)
• Traditionally strong against Heidenheim
• Winter signings like James Sands adding stability

Weaknesses:

• Worst form in the league (2 wins all season)
• Poor home record (1 win, 1 draw, 3 losses)
• Defensive fragility (26 goals conceded)
• Winless in 10 consecutive matches
• Just 9 goals scored in 13 matches
• Critical lack of confidence

Heidenheim’s Game Plan

Frank Schmidt will likely employ his preferred 4-4-2 or 3-5-2 system, prioritizing defensive organization while hoping to secure a first win of the campaign. The six-match drawing streak suggests defensive improvement but continued attacking impotence.

Strengths:

• Remarkable 13-match unbeaten streak (all draws)
• Defensive improvement in recent weeks
• Conference League experience from last season
• Paul Wanner’s creative quality on loan from Bayern
• Resilience and fighting spirit shown in draws

Weaknesses:

• Rock bottom with zero wins all season
• Scored just 8 goals in 13 matches
• Haven’t won since last season
• Drawing every match isn’t enough (6 consecutive draws)
• Lost all recent meetings with St. Pauli
• Terrible away form
• Psychological barrier of going winless

Key Battles

Andreas Hountondji vs. Patrick Mainka
St. Pauli’s top scorer with 4 goals faces Heidenheim’s experienced center-back and defensive leader. This battle will largely determine whether St. Pauli can convert their home advantage into goals.

Danel Sinani vs. Jonas Föhrenbach
The Luxembourg international has been one of St. Pauli’s brighter attacking sparks with 3 goals. Föhrenbach, who plays left-back but has scored 2 goals himself this season, will need to contain Sinani while contributing offensively.

Paul Wanner vs. St. Pauli’s Midfield
The Bayern loanee is Heidenheim’s most creative force and their best hope of breaking down St. Pauli’s defense. His ability to unlock spaces and create chances could be decisive in Heidenheim’s search for that elusive first win.

Jackson Irvine vs. Jan Schöppner
Both captains and central midfielders will battle for control. The Australian veteran Irvine must impose himself on the game, while Schöppner’s defensive work will be crucial in protecting Heidenheim’s fragile backline.

Statistical Insights

Scoring Trends:

• St. Pauli average 0.69 goals scored and 2.00 goals conceded per match
• Heidenheim average 0.62 goals scored and 2.00 goals conceded per match
• Both teams desperately struggling to score
• St. Pauli haven’t scored in 4 of their last 5 matches
• Last 6 head-to-head meetings all ended Under 2.5 goals

Form Analysis:

• St. Pauli: Won just 2 of 13 matches (15% win rate)
• Heidenheim: Won 0 of 13 matches (0% win rate)
• St. Pauli winless in 10 consecutive matches
• Heidenheim on 13-match unbeaten run (but all draws/losses)
• Under 2.5 goals in Heidenheim’s last 13 consecutive matches

Home/Away Records:

• St. Pauli home: 1 win, 1 draw, 3 losses (poor)
• Heidenheim away: 0 wins, 2 draws, 4 losses (terrible)
• Both teams struggling at their respective venues
• St. Pauli scored just 5 goals at home this season

Betting Odds & Market Analysis

Match Result (Approximate Odds):

• St. Pauli Win: 2.10 (+110)
• Draw: 3.30 (+230)
• Heidenheim Win: 3.50 (+250)

Goals Market:

• Over 2.5 Goals: 2.40 (+140)
• Under 2.5 Goals: 1.55 (-182)
• Both Teams to Score – Yes: 2.30 (+130)
• Both Teams to Score – No: 1.60 (-167)

Correct Score:

• St. Pauli 1-0: 6.00 (+500)
• 0-0 Draw: 7.50 (+650)
• St. Pauli 2-0: 8.00 (+700)
• 1-1 Draw: 6.50 (+550)

Anytime Goalscorer:

• Andreas Hountondji: 3.25 (+225)
• Danel Sinani: 3.75 (+275)
• Stefan Schimmer: 4.00 (+300)
• Léo Scienza: 4.50 (+350)

Expert Prediction & Analysis

This Saturday afternoon clash at Millerntor-Stadion represents perhaps the most critical match of Bundesliga Matchday 14 for relegation implications. Two teams drowning at the bottom of the table meet in what amounts to a six-pointer that neither can afford to lose.

St. Pauli’s season has been catastrophic. Just two wins from 13 matches tells the story of a team completely out of their depth in the Bundesliga. The 0-4 demolition by Mönchengladbach remains their most humiliating result, and confidence appears shattered. However, their recent head-to-head dominance over Heidenheim (3 consecutive victories) provides a glimmer of hope. Home advantage at the atmospheric Millerntor-Stadion could prove decisive if the crowd can inspire the players.

Heidenheim’s predicament is even more dire. Zero wins from 13 matches is relegation form of the highest order. Their six consecutive draws demonstrate defensive improvement but highlight their complete inability to win matches. The psychological barrier of going winless for an entire half-season is enormous. Frank Schmidt’s men desperately need to break this pattern, but facing a St. Pauli side who have dominated them recently makes this an extremely difficult task.

The head-to-head statistics overwhelmingly favor St. Pauli, who have won the last three meetings and are unbeaten in four against Heidenheim. However, historical trends mean little when both teams are in such poor form. The statistical reality is that both sides struggle desperately to score goals, with St. Pauli managing just 9 and Heidenheim only 8 all season.

The last six meetings between these sides have all been low-scoring affairs under 2.5 goals, with both teams failing to score in those matches. This trend seems likely to continue given current attacking impotence on both sides. Expect a nervous, cagey encounter where neither team wants to make the first mistake.

St. Pauli’s home advantage and recent dominance in this fixture give them the edge, but their current form is so poor that nothing can be taken for granted. Heidenheim’s remarkable 13-match unbeaten streak (despite being all draws and defeats) shows resilience, but they desperately need to convert that into actual victories.

This match will likely be decided by a single moment of quality, a defensive error, or a set-piece. Both teams are starved of goals and confidence, suggesting a tense, low-scoring affair where the winner (if there is one) will likely emerge via the narrowest of margins.

Score Prediction

St. Pauli 1-0 Heidenheim

Verdict

St. Pauli will secure a vital, hard-fought victory that provides hope in their relegation battle while condemning Heidenheim to continued winless misery. This prediction is based primarily on three factors: St. Pauli’s home advantage, their recent head-to-head dominance (3 consecutive wins), and Heidenheim’s complete inability to win matches this season.

While neither team inspires confidence, St. Pauli have at least shown they can beat Heidenheim specifically. The desperate need for points combined with home support at Millerntor-Stadion should provide just enough motivation for a narrow victory. Andreas Hountondji or Danel Sinani will likely provide the decisive goal from a set-piece or moment of individual quality.

For Heidenheim, the winless streak will extend into double figures, and their relegation fate looks increasingly sealed. Their inability to turn draws into wins has been their downfall, and this match will prove no different. Frank Schmidt’s side will compete bravely and frustrate St. Pauli for periods, but ultimately lack the cutting edge to secure even a point.

Key to the Match:

• First goal will be absolutely crucial given both teams’ fragility
• Set pieces represent the most likely source of goals
• Home crowd at Millerntor-Stadion must inspire St. Pauli
• Hountondji vs. Mainka battle could determine the outcome
• Defensive errors more likely than attacking brilliance
• Psychological pressure immense on both sides

This promises to be a tense, desperate encounter between two teams fighting for Bundesliga survival. The quality will likely be poor, the goals scarce, and the nerves palpable. St. Pauli’s recent record against Heidenheim should prove decisive in securing three precious points that could define their season.

For the neutral, this won’t be a spectacle of attractive football. For the fans of both clubs, it’s a potential season-defining 90 minutes where every tackle, save, and chance could determine their club’s future. St. Pauli’s slightly better attacking record (9 vs 8 goals) and home advantage should be enough to edge this crucial relegation six-pointer by the slimmest of margins.