Basaksehir vs Heidenheim prediction: EUROPE: Conference League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-12-11 17:45.
[p]İstanbul Başakşehir face an uphill battle if they are to reach the knockout phase of a European competition for just the third time in their history. With two-thirds of the league phase of the UEFA Conference league having elapsed, the Turkish outfit are yet to win a game (D2, L2), and therefore return to action occupying 33rd place in the table, two points outside the top 24.[/p]
[p]There is reason for Çağdaş Atan’s men to be positive though, as the points they have accumulated have been picked up in their last two outings, courtesy of draws against Copenhagen (2-2) and Petrocub Hîncești (1-1). The Grey Owls also head into this match buoyed by having won back-to-back encounters for the first time since September, with wins over Göztepe and Hatayspor ending a run of ten games without success (D5, L5) in all competitions.[/p]
[p]That might not be good news for opponents Heidenheim, who are already low on confidence, due to an ongoing five-match losing streak. The German side have conceded a whopping 18 goals across that losing run, with the latest four of those coming at Bayern Munich on Saturday (4-2), when they incredibly had just 14% possession in the first half.[/p]
[p]As such, there is a little bit of pressure on legendary head coach Frank Schmidt, who has been at the helm since 2007. However, a return to the Conference League – in which they are competing for the first time this season – might be just the tonic that Heidenheim need as they attempt to bounce back to form, as they have won three of their four league-phase games (L1) and therefore sit outside the top eight in the table only on goal difference ahead of matchday five. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Başakşehir’s João Figueiredo has a staggering record when getting his name on the scoresheet, having lost just one of the last 36 games in which he has netted (W26, D9). Looking to outshine him will be Heidenheim’s teenage sensation Paul Wanner, who has seen six of his last seven senior goals come after half-time, including two in the Conference League![/p]
[p]Hot stat: Six of İstanbul Başakşehir’s last eight home games in all competitions have seen both teams score.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Matt Jones[/i][/p]