Heidenheim vs O. Ljubljana prediction: EUROPE: Conference League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-10-02 16:45.
[p]Heidenheim supporters are probably still pinching themselves at the remarkable rise their club has been on over recent seasons. They were still plying their trade in Oberliga Baden-WĂĽrttemberg in 2008 – the fifth tier of German football – but fast forward 16 years and Frank Schmidt’s side are embarking on a first-ever campaign in continental football after qualifying for the UEFA Conference League (UECL).[/p]
[p]Indeed, it has already been a historic year for the German outfit, who finished eighth in the Bundesliga last season and reached the league stage of this competition by beating BK Häcken 5-3 over two legs. They also head into the game with a bit of confidence restored, as after suffering back-to-back defeats, Heidenheim beat Mainz 2-0 on Saturday with their manager praising his side for a “dangerous” attacking display.[/p]
[p]That might not worry opponents Olimpija Ljubljana though, who head to the Voith-Arena on the back of a club record 17-game unbeaten run across all competitions this season (W12, D5), keeping an impressive 12 clean sheets in the process! The most recent of those came in a 2-0 victory over Primorje at the weekend, with manager VĂctor Sánchez believing that his players displayed their “champion character” as they held on for three points.[/p]
[p]That win leaves the Dragons top of the Prva Liga table, as they chase a fourth Slovenian title. On top of that, a successful season in Europe is also craved by supporters, but after getting past the qualifying rounds of a continental competition for just the second time, Ljubljana know that they’ll have to improve on last season’s efforts in the UECL during which they finished third in Group A after losing four of their six matches (W2).[/p]
[p]Players to watch: After scoring against Mainz at the weekend, Jan Schöppner has seen six of his last seven goals serve as the first or last of the game. Raul Florucz may provide the main attacking threat for the visitors, who will be hoping that he can net again here as they’ve won on each of his prior 13 goal scoring appearances. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Just three of Ljubljana’s last 13 UECL games have seen both teams score.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Matt Jones[/i][/p]