The Bundesliga Matchday 18 clash between Wolfsburg and Heidenheim will take place on 17 January at the Volkswagen Arena. Wolfsburg vs Heidenheim: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Wolfsburg
Daniel Bauer’s men managed to steady themselves after a heavy defeat to Bayern. In the previous round, the home side beat St. Pauli at home (2:1), but it was only the club’s fifth win in the current league campaign (3 draws, 9 defeats). Wolfsburg have also failed to keep a clean sheet in nine straight Bundesliga matches. However, in every game during that spell, the team have found the net at the other end. In the overall standings, Daniel Bauer’s side have pulled six points clear of the relegation play-off zone.
- There were goals in both halves in seven of Wolfsburg’s last nine league matches.
- On home soil in this competition, the team have failed to win 15 of their previous 17 matches (7 draws, 8 defeats).
- In four of their last five home Bundesliga games, the club scored at least two goals.
Potential Wolfsburg Lineup (4-3-3)*
Kamil Grabara – Aaron Zenter, Kostas Koulierakis, Sael Kumbedi, Moritz Jenz – Lovro Majer, Maximilian Arnold, Christian Eriksen – Yannick Gerhardt, Dzenan Pejcinovic, Patrick Wimmer.
Defenders Joakim Maehle and Rogerio, midfielder Bence Dardai, as well as forward Jonas Wind, are unavailable due to injuries.
Heidenheim
The team lost away to Mainz in the previous round (1:2), extending their winless run in the league to four matches (1 draw, 3 defeats). Moreover, during that stretch, Frank Schmidt’s men conceded at least two goals in every game. The club’s defensive issues are underlined by the fact that only Heidenheim have yet to record a single clean sheet in the 2025/26 Bundesliga season. Overall, the team have conceded 38 goals, which is the worst tally in the competition. The club also sit bottom of the overall standings, although they are only three points off the safe 15th place.
- Both teams scored in five of Heidenheim’s last six league matches.
- On the road, the team have lost seven of their previous eight matches in this competition (1 win).
- The club scored in five of their last seven away Bundesliga games.
Potential Heidenheim Lineup (4-4-2)*
Diant Ramaj – Benedikt Gimber, Patrick Mainka, Omar Traore, Jonas Forenbach –, Jan Schoppner, Julian Nhiheus, Niklas Dorsch, Arijon Ibrahimovic – Mikkel Kaufmann, Marvin Pieringer.
Defender Leart Paqarada and forward Budu Zivzivadze will miss the match due to injuries. The squad has been strengthened by the arrival of defender Leonidas Stergiou.
Referee
Tobias Welz (Germany)
Matches – 5 (Bundesliga, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 25;
Yellow cards per match – 5;
Red cards shown – 1;
Fouls per match – 26;
Penalties – 20%.
Wolfsburg vs Heidenheim: Match Prediction
The schedule has been kind to Daniel Bauer’s side. After facing Bayern, meetings with two relegation candidates should help Wolfsburg recover and improve their league position. The team took the first step in that direction last time out by beating St. Pauli. Next up is Heidenheim, who have dropped to the bottom of the table. We think the hosts will have enough quality and motivation to beat this opponent. They can achieve that through their attack: Wolfsburg are on a lengthy scoring run, and in four of their last five league games Daniel Bauer’s men scored at least twice.
Defence is Heidenheim’s most vulnerable area. The team have the worst record in the league for goals conceded (38), and away from home in the 2025/26 Bundesliga season they have shipped at least two goals in six matches. Clearly, with numbers like that it is difficult to count on taking points. Frank Schmidt’s men have the most away defeats, and the club also lost to Wolfsburg in the first half of the season even at home (1:3).
Prediction: Wolfsburg to win + Over 1.5 goals
* For each team, the starting lineup listed is from their previous match in this competition.