Bundesliga: Showdown in the relegation battle

Tensions are high in the Bundesliga's relegation battle: Decisions about which teams will be eliminated from the league could be made on Saturday. An overview.

FC St. Pauli, currently 14th in the table, and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, currently 15th, are both still not entirely free of their relegation worries. However, both clubs are five points above the relegation playoff spot and even six points above the first relegation spot. It's not impossible that the northern Germans and the Kraichgau club will once again find themselves in serious relegation trouble, but it's unlikely. The situation is different for 1. FC Heidenheim, Holstein Kiel, and VfL Bochum.

In addition to preparing for the match at Union Berlin, Heidenheim also had hospital visits on their to-do list. Goalkeeper Kevin Müller has just been released from the hospital, where he spent several days after suffering a severe concussion. Müller collided with Bochum's Ibrahima Sissoko on the last matchday and was treated for a long time on the pitch. He is unlikely to play.

The goalkeeper thanked his team for their help and support, as well as that of VfL Bochum: "I know both our teams are in difficult sporting situations," said Müller, "so it's all the more wonderful that there was a moment (albeit unfortunately not a positive one) that united everyone." Bochum's Philipp Hofmann was also admitted to the same hospital as Müller during the game (more on that below).

Heidenheim's starting position isn't bad: Frank Schmidt and his team have picked up 14 points from their last ten matches, most recently a draw against Bochum and a win against VfB Stuttgart. Their upcoming opponent, Union Berlin, is already in safe harbor and no longer has to worry about relegation. However, the Berlin team could set a new club record with a point against 1. FC Heidenheim. The Köpenick team has never gone nine Bundesliga games without a loss in a single season.

However, it is very unlikely that the Brenz team can still reach 15th place: Hoffenheim has a nine-goal better record.

Holstein Kiel recently performed similarly well in the second half of the season as Heidenheim. Thanks to their refreshing style of play, the "Storks" have picked up 13 points in their last ten matches. Marcel Rapp's team has been particularly on fire recently, beating FC Augsburg 3-1 and Borussia Mönchengladbach 4-3.

"We approach every game like a final," defender Carl Johansson clarified. Rapp also emphasized: "We're always up for the Bundesliga," and goalkeeper Thomas Dähne said: "Our chests are getting bigger." However, Kiel's concern may be the condition of Shuto Machino. The Japanese striker – the northern German club's top scorer with eleven goals – was forced to leave the pitch in Augsburg with an ankle injury. Kiel is unsure if he'll be fit enough to play on Saturday.

Speaking of Saturday: Although Kiel is only one point behind the relegation play-off spot in 16th place, the gap feels enormous. First, Champions League hopeful SC Freiburg comes to the Holstein Stadium, and then they travel to Germany's biggest stadium, Dortmund, to close out the season. And BVB is also still eager to snag a ticket to a European competition.

The fact is: Kiel must score points – even without the suspended Nicolai Remberg. If Heidenheim wins, relegation would be inevitable.

The same applies to VfL Bochum – although the situation is even more dramatic for VfL. They need two wins against Mainz (at home) and then against St. Pauli on the final matchday to have a theoretical chance of securing a place in the relegation play-offs.

But – as previously mentioned in connection with Heidenheim's Kevin Müller – VfL also had to deal with Philipp Hofmann's serious injury. The striker suffered a broken rib against FCH, which then damaged a lung.

Despite all the hopes for a sporting upset, VfL has already moved ahead with its plans for the 2. Bundesliga and secured the services of coach Dieter Hecking. The starting position ahead of the final two matchdays isn't exactly fun for VfL fans: The highlight of the last ten games was the win at FC Bayern – otherwise, they've only managed three more meager points. Not enough to stay in the league. But who knows: Mathematically, reaching the relegation play-off spot is still possible – if Heidenheim doesn't win and VfL gets a win against Mainz.

The final home game of the season is also important for two other reasons: Firstly, VfL, together with Hansa Rostock, is conducting a major stem cell typing campaign to find a potential stem cell donor for former player Tom Weilandt. The midfielder has been diagnosed with leukemia again and needs help.

And secondly, long-time captain Anthony Losilla and Cristian Gamboa will be saying goodbye. The future of the two players will be announced after the end of the season.

Finally, a fun fact : VfL striker Moritz Broschinski has played in every game so far this season. But never for the entire match. He could become the first Bundesliga player to make 33 part-time appearances in a single season. So far, he has been substituted on 15 times and substituted on 17 times.

• football
• Bundesliga
• VfL Bochum
• Holstein Kiel
• 1. FC Heidenheim