St Pauli vs Heidenheim Predictions

• St Pauli won 11 of their 17 home games last season, losing one.
• Heidenheim won just three of their away league games last season.
• The visitors have a European qualifier second leg to focus on.

Winning return for Kiezkicker

St Pauli return to the Bundesliga after a 13-year absence on Sunday as they entertain Heidenheim at the Millerntor-Stadion in Hamburg.

It hasn’t necessarily been an easy summer for Kiezkicker after losing manager Fabian Hürzeler to Brighton, but replacement Alexander Blessin looks up to the job after impressing at Union SG in Belgium and they can open the new season with a win.

Heidenheim secured a place in Europe last term as they finished eighth but much of their success came at home. FCH won just three of their 17 trips, and they have the second leg of their Conference League qualifier against Hacken to focus on next week so that could be a distraction here.

St Pauli won the Bundesliga 2 title last term and their excellent home record was crucial. They won 11 of their 17 home games, losing just once, and their form at this venue will be key to their survival chances this term – and the visit of Heidenheim looks a very winnable assignment.

Heidenheim have only failed to score in one of their last 16 trips so they may be able to keep this game tight and a 2-1 home win looks a reasonable correct score prediction. St Pauli forward Johannes Eggestein hit nine goals in the second tier last term and weighed in with a goal and an assist in the Pokal win over Hallescher last week. Eggenstein also scored in the last two pre-season games and he stands out as a potential anytime scorer.