| Details of the match | information |
| competition | Bundesliga – (Germany) |
| Ronda | 18 |
| Date and time | 17/01/2026, 15:30 (includes BST/GMT time zone). |
| stadium | Volkswagen Arena |
Prediction – VfL Wolfsburg 5 – 3 Heidenheim
Recent form
Ahead of their Bundesliga clash at the Volkswagen Arena, VfL Wolfsburg and Heidenheim present contrasting momentum based on their recent performances. Wolfsburg’s last five league games reveal a team struggling with inconsistency. While they celebrated a huge 8-1 win over FC Bayern München, a result that is certainly a morale booster, they also narrowly suffered a home defeat. SC Freiburg (3-4) and a more complete defeat against Borussia Mönchengladbach (3-1). Victory against FC Union Berlin (3-1) and draw with Eintracht Frankfurt (1-1) further illustrate a pattern of fluctuating results, reflecting both their potential and their vulnerabilities. Instead, Heidenheim seems to be on a more stable path. They secured crucial away wins against FSV Mainz 05 (1-2) and St. Pauli (1-2), and a win at home SC Freiburg (2-1), demonstrating the ability to perform well both at home and on the road. Despite the heavy defeat at home to FC Bayern München (0-4), their ability to salvage a draw against FC Köln (2-2) indicates resilience and growing competitiveness in the league. Examining their recent head-to-head matches, Wolfsburg appear to hold an advantage, having won three of their last five meetings, including a 3-1 win earlier in the current season. However, Heidenheim’s solitary win and draw this term suggests they are capable of challenging Wolfsburg, especially if they can take advantage of Wolfsburg’s inconsistency. This match promises to be a compelling contest between Wolfsburg’s attacking prowess and Heidenheim’s emerging stability.
VfL Wolfsburg last 5 league games
| teams | result | Red cards | Yellow cards | corners | free tits | possession | Assistance |
| FC Bayern Munich vs VfL Wolfsburg | 1-8 | 0 – 0 | 0-1 | 6-2 | 6-7 | 68% – 32% | 6-1 |
| VfL Wolfsburg vs SC Freiburg | 3-4 | 0 – 0 | 1-1 | 2-6 | 8-15 | 56% – 44% | 2-1 |
| Borussia Monchengladbach vs VfL Wolfsburg | 3-1 | 0 – 0 | 0-1 | 6-3 | 8-6 | 58% – 42% | 0-2 |
| VfL Wolfsburg vs FC Union Berlin | 3-1 | 0 – 0 | 4-1 | 0-11 | 10-12 | 43% – 57% | 3-0 |
| Eintracht Frankfurt vs VfL Wolfsburg | 1-1 | 0 – 0 | 1-4 | 14-1 | 8-7 | 54% – 46% | 0-1 |
VfL Wolfsburg’s recent form in the Bundesliga has been a mix of ups and downs, reflecting both their potential and areas they need to improve. In their last five matches, Wolfsburg have managed just one win, a 3-1 victory against FC Union Berlin, highlighting their ability to take advantage of scoring opportunities despite being under pressure, as evidenced by the 11 corners conceded. However, their defense has been a weak point as they have allowed a total of 17 goals in those games, including a crucial 1-8 loss against FC Bayern München. This suggests vulnerabilities in their defensive organization, especially against high caliber attacking sides. Statistically, Wolfsburg’s possession rates have varied, with a notable low of 32% against Bayern, indicating a struggle to control play against stronger opponents. Despite this, they have shown resistance when it comes to creating chances, as in the match against SC Freiburgwhere they scored three goals despite losing 3-4. The team’s discipline is also a concern, with a total of seven yellow cards in these games, suggesting a need for better composure under pressure. The current list of injuries is relatively short, with Jenson Seelt marginalized by illness. This minimal disruption allows Wolfsburg to field an almost unchanged line-up, maintaining consistency in their tactical approach. The expected line-up includes a mix of experienced players like Maximilian Arnold and newcomers like now Dzenan Pejcinovicwhich can give new impetus in attack. The presence of experienced militants like Christian Eriksen he is crucial to maintaining creativity in midfield, which could be instrumental in unlocking defences. Heading into their next game at the Volkswagen Arena, Wolfsburg are likely to focus on strengthening their defensive structure while tapping into their attacking capabilities. The team must aim to maintain possession better to relieve defensive pressure and reduce the frequency of opposition set pieces. With the current lineup, Wolfsburg have the attacking talent to challenge opponents, but they need to balance that with a stronger defensive strategy to improve their league standings.
Heidenheim last 5 league games
| teams | result | Red cards | Yellow cards | corners | free tits | possession | Assistance |
| FSV Mainz 05 vs Heidenheim | 1-2 | 0 – 0 | 2-2 | 4-1 | 10-11 | 42% – 58% | 2-0 |
| Heidenheim vs FC Cologne | 2-2 | 0 – 0 | 2-1 | 5-4 | 7-9 | 56% – 44% | 1-2 |
| Heidenheim vs FC Bayern Munich | 0-4 | 0 – 0 | 0 – 0 | 0-6 | 6-8 | 26% – 74% | 0-2 |
| St. Pauli vs Heidenheim | 1-2 | 1-0 | 2-3 | 4-11 | 15-6 | 36% – 64% | 2-1 |
| Heidenheim vs SC Freiburg | 2-1 | 0 – 0 | 2-1 | 8-6 | 10-11 | 39% – 61% | 1-1 |
Heidenheim’s recent performances in the Bundesliga show a team capable of resilience and creativity, despite facing formidable opponents. In the last five matches, Heidenheim has managed two wins, two draws and only one loss. In particular, their wins against FSV Mainz 05 and St. Pauli underline their ability to perform well away from home, taking advantage of possession and creating chances, as evidenced by their higher possession stats of 58% and 64% respectively. This suggests a strategic approach focused on controlling play and exploiting spaces, especially against teams that may struggle to keep possession. However, the heavy defeat against FC Bayern München highlights the potential vulnerabilities when facing top teams. In that game, Heidenheim managed just 26% possession and failed to win a single corner, indicating a struggle to enforce their game plan against a dominant opponent. This could be attributed to the disparity in squad depth and individual quality, areas Heidenheim will need to address to compete consistently at the highest level. From a tactical perspective, Heidenheim’s line-up suggests a balanced approach with a solid defensive line with Benedikt Gimber i Patrick Mainkasupported by the midfield combination of Jan Schöppner and Niklas Dorsch. The absence of Nick Rothweiler due to a hamstring injury is a setback, but the team’s depth allows it to be adjusted without significant disruption to its tactical setup. The couple forward Marvin Pieringer i Mikkel Kaufmann offers a dynamic attacking threat, capable of exploiting defensive lapses with his pace and finishing ability. As Heidenheim prepares to face their next opponent, the team will likely focus on maintaining possession and using their defensive organization to absorb pressure and launch counter-attacks. The current form of key players and the tactical flexibility shown in recent matches suggest that Heidenheim are well equipped to face a number of challenges, although consistent performance against stronger teams remains a critical area for improvement.
Team news and injuries
VfL Wolfsburg injuries and suspensions
Heidenheim’s injuries and suspensions
- Nick Rothweiler (Hamstring Injury)
Head-to-head (H2H) registration and summary.
H2H Last 5
| teams | result | Red cards | Yellow cards | corners | free tits | possession | Assistance |
| Heidenheim – VfL Wolfsburg (23 August 2025) | 1-3 | 0 – 0 | 2-3 | 2-5 | 12-11 | 49% – 51% | 0-2 |
| VfL Wolfsburg vs Heidenheim (March 29, 2025) | 0-1 | 0 – 0 | 2-4 | 4-5 | 10-7 | 61% – 39% | 0 – 0 |
| Heidenheim – VfL Wolfsburg (10 November 2024) | 1-3 | 0 – 0 | 1-6 | 5-5 | 0 – 0 | 65% – 35% | 0-1 |
| Heidenheim – VfL Wolfsburg (January 20, 2024) | 1-1 | 0 – 0 | 0-1 | 4-2 | 0 – 0 | 52% – 48% | 0-1 |
| VfL Wolfsburg vs Heidenheim (August 19, 2023) | 2-0 | 0 – 0 | 3-0 | 1-7 | 0 – 0 | 48% – 52% | 1-0 |
Detailed H2H analysis
The head-to-head record between VfL Wolfsburg and Heidenheim indicates a competitive series, with Wolfsburg holding a slight advantage. In five recent meetings, Wolfsburg have emerged victorious three times, while Heidenheim have managed a solitary victory, with one match ending in a draw. In particular, Wolfsburg have shown a consistent ability to break down Heidenheim’s defence, scoring multiple goals in three of those games. Heidenheim, however, have shown resilience, often keeping contests close, as evidenced by their only win in March 2025 when they overcame Wolfsburg with a 1-0 win despite Wolfsburg dominating possession. A recurring pattern in these fixtures is Wolfsburg’s effectiveness at turning limited possession into goals, as seen in the November 2024 game where they managed a 3-1 win despite having just 35% possession. Wolfsburg will be without Jenson Seelt due to illness, while Heidenheim faces the absence of Nick Rothweiler with a hamstring injury. Wolfsburg’s predicted line-up features a stout defense and a creative midfield, including Christian Eriksen i Maximilian Arnoldwhich could exploit Heidenheim’s defensive vulnerabilities. Heidenheim, on the other hand, will rely on the offensive prowess of Marvin Pieringer i Mikkel Kaufmann to counter Wolfsburg’s strategy. Rothweiler’s absence could affect the stability of Heidenheim’s midfield, giving Wolfsburg a chance to dominate that area. Given the historical context and current lineup considerations, Wolfsburg look well-positioned to continue their favorable head-to-head trend. However, Heidenheim’s tactical adjustments and their past ability to take advantage of Wolfsburg’s occasional defensive lapses could make this an even match.
Expected lineups
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Players: Kamil Grabara (Goalkeeper),Konstantinos Koulierakis (Defender),Moritz Jenz (Defender),Aaron Zehnter (Defender),Saël Kumbedi (Defender),Lovro Majer (Midfielder),Maximilian Arnold (Midfielder),Yannick Gerhardt (Midfielder),Dzenan Pejcinovic (forward),Christian Eriksen (attack),Patrick Wimmer (forward)
- Formation: 4-3-1-2
- Players: Diant Ramaj (Goalkeeper),Benedikt Gimber (Defender),Patrick Mainka (Defender),Jonas Föhrenbach (Defender),Omar Traoré (Defender),Jan Schöppner (Midfielder),Julian Niehues (Midfielder),Arijon Ibrahimovic (Midfielder),Niklas Dorsch (midfielder),Marvin Pieringer (attack),Mikkel Kaufmann (forward)

