A preview of Thursday's Bundesliga promotion/relegation play-off first-leg clash between Heidenheim and Elversberg has been released, detailing predicted lineups for both teams.
The promotion/relegation play-off tie features 1. FC Heidenheim from the Bundesliga and SV Elversberg from the 2. Bundesliga, following a dramatic final weekend in Germany's top two divisions.
In accordance with league tradition, the 16th-placed Bundesliga team faces the third-placed team from the second tier to determine who will compete in the top flight next season. The first leg is scheduled for Thursday at Heidenheim's Voith-Arena, with the return leg set for Monday at Elversberg's Waldstadion an der Kaiserlinde.
Heidenheim ended their debut Bundesliga season in 2023/24 with a commendable eighth-place finish but found themselves in the relegation play-off spot after a 1-4 loss to Werder Bremen on the final matchday. Coach Frank Schmidt expressed optimism about the situation, emphasizing that the team retains control over their fate.
"We're not disappointed by the fact that we're playing in [this] play-off," Schmidt stated. "We have a chance to stay in the league with two extra games and we're approaching them with determination and a positive attitude," he added.
On the other hand, Elversberg concluded a successful season with a 2-1 away victory against Schalke, securing third place in the 2. Bundesliga. For a club that had never played above the third tier prior to 2023, promotion to the Bundesliga would mark a historic achievement.
The financial stakes are significant for both clubs. Heidenheim's CEO Holger Sanwald noted that relegation could halve the club's annual budget from €80 million to around €40 million due to reduced media revenue. Conversely, Elversberg stands to gain considerably from promotion, with TV revenue potentially increasing from approximately €8 million to around €30 million, nearly doubling their total revenue from the previous year.
Regarding team news, Heidenheim is expected to see the return of Frans Krätzig following illness, with Christopher Negele and Luka Janes remaining unavailable. Elversberg, meanwhile, may be without Arne Sicker but is anticipated to maintain the same starting XI that triumphed over Schalke.
Further details on predicted lineups for Heidenheim vs. Elversberg can be found in the full article.
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