Sport-Club haven’t played 1. FC Heidenheim away since November 2015, when Karim Guédé scored Freiburg’s winner in stoppage time (2-1) and the last match between the two sides in May 2016 ended in a 2-0 win for SC in their Bundesliga 2 title-winning season.

Since then, a lot has changed for both clubs, but the same head coaches are still in charge. Christian Streich touched on Frank Schmidt and his Heidenheim team: “They’re very strong at home and they are particularly good from dead-ball situations, perhaps even the best in the league.” Ideally, the SC head coach wants his side to avoid giving away any free-kicks.

SCF have also been working on their corners and free-kicks in training. “We’ve got to pose a greater threat from set pieces again,” said Streich. Eight of Freiburg’s last 19 goals have come from dead-balls, but three of those were penalties.

Strong substitutions against Köln

Sport-Club’s squad situation hasn’t changed from their 2-0 win over 1. FC Köln. Philipp Lienhart, who missed Sunday’s game and the Europa League match against West Ham due to muscle problems, will also be forced to miss out on Bundesliga matchday 16. “We won’t be able to have a full bench again.”

The two substitutes Roland Sallai and Michael Gregoritsch decided the game against Köln with their goals nearing the end of the game. Streich said that his side put in “a really good team performance. Basically, it’s extremely important that the lads remain focused, even when they’re not in the starting XI. I can help to motivate the lads in the changing rooms and give them all my support up until they’re out on the pitch.”

The chance to get to 27 points before the winter break

If Freiburg manage to pick up their fourth consecutive league win on Wednesday, it would put them on 27 points after 16 games – just three points less than their total at this stage of the 2022/23 season. “On the one hand, we’re really pleased that the last few weeks have gone so well, but we can’t be at all satisfied,” said Streich. We’ve got to travel to Heidenheim with total sharpness and a positive attitude. We’ve got to want it more than them. Every point that we pick up will help us next year.”

SC have sold out their away ticket allocation; over 2000 SC fans will travel to Heidenheim.