Dortmund vs Heidenheim

The Yellow Wall is ready to roar today, Sunday, February 1, 2026, as Borussia Dortmund welcomes FC Heidenheim to the Signal Iduna Park. Kick-off is set for 16:30 GMT (17:30 CET).

This is a classic "top vs. bottom" clash, but both sides arrive with plenty to prove. Dortmund (2nd, 42 points) needs a win to close the gap on league leaders Bayern Munich, who dropped points yesterday. Meanwhile, Heidenheim (18th, 13 points) is fighting for its Bundesliga life, currently rooted to the foot of the table and searching for their first victory of the new year.

Match Information

Borussia Dortmund: The New Era Under Kovac

Today marks a significant turning point for BVB. Following the departure of Nuri Sahin, Niko Kovač has been officially appointed as the new head coach. While he technically takes full charge tomorrow, he will be watching closely as the team looks to bounce back from a disappointing 2–0 Champions League loss to Inter Milan on Wednesday.

Team News and Selection:

• Injury Doubts: Waldemar Anton (illness) and Marcel Sabitzer (calf) are facing late fitness tests after missing the midweek trip to Italy. Niklas Süle is back in full training and available.

• The "Jobe" Factor: Young star Jobe Bellingham is expected to keep his place in the engine room after a series of standout performances in January.

• Leading the Line: Serhou Guirassy remains the focal point of the attack, supported by the creative duo of Julian Brandt and Maximilian Beier.

• Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Kobel; Can, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini; Ryerson, J. Bellingham, Nmecha, Svensson; Beier, Brandt; Guirassy.

Heidenheim: Battered but Not Broken

Frank Schmidt’s side has endured a grueling 2026 so far, picking up only two points from a possible 18. They arrive in Dortmund on the back of a 3–0 defeat to RB Leipzig. Despite their league position, Heidenheim remains a dangerous "trap" opponent, known for their relentless work rate and set-piece efficiency.

Team News and Selection:

• Suspension: Key defender Benedikt Gimber is out due to yellow card accumulation. Tim Siersleben is expected to fill the void.

• Injury Crisis: The visitors are missing Leart Paqarada (ACL), Budu Zivzivadze, and Christian Conteh.

• Loan Return: Eren Dinkçi, back at the club on loan, could make a surprise appearance in the matchday squad to provide a spark.

• Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Ramaj; Stergiou, Mainka, Siersleben, Föhrenbach; Schöppner, Dorsch; Ibrahimovic, Beck, Honsak; Pieringer.

? Head-to-Head (H2H) and Key Stats

• The "Clean Sheet" Curse: Heidenheim is the only team in Europe’s top five leagues yet to keep a clean sheet this season.

• Dortmund’s Fortress: BVB have scored at least 3 goals in each of their last four Bundesliga matches.

• History Favors Yellow: Heidenheim has never beaten Dortmund in their five competitive meetings (D2, L3).

• Late Drama: 65% of Dortmund’s home goals this season have come after the 70th minute.

Tactical Analysis and Prediction

Dortmund will likely dominate possession from the start, looking to use the wing-back pair of Julian Ryerson and Daniel Svensson to stretch Heidenheim’s makeshift backline. Heidenheim’s only real path to an upset lies in the transition—relying on the technical ability of Adrian Beck to find Marvin Pieringer on the break.

With Bayern Munich held to a 2–2 draw by Hamburg yesterday, Dortmund has a golden opportunity to cut the lead at the top to six points. Given Heidenheim’s defensive struggles and Dortmund’s clinical home form, a comfortable home win is the most likely outcome.

Final Score Prediction: Borussia Dortmund 4–0 FC Heidenheim