Elversberg vs Heidenheim: Bundesliga Playoff Prediction (27.05.2025)

On May 27, 2025, at 1:30 WIB, the second leg of the Bundesliga promotion/relegation playoff will take place. The match will feature Elversberg, representing the second division, and Heidenheim — a top-flight Bundesliga team. The first leg proved that this matchup is far from straightforward, and bookmakers see both sides as fairly evenly matched. Let’s analyze the current form of both teams and provide our prediction.

Elversberg

Horst Steffen’s side could be on the verge of causing a major upset. For followers of German lower leagues, it’s no surprise that this team is fighting for a Bundesliga spot. Elversberg has shown remarkable progress — in 2022, they were playing in the Regionalliga (fourth tier), and just a year later, they won the 3. Liga. In the 2023/24 season, they held their ground in the 2. Bundesliga by finishing 11th, followed by squad reinforcements. As a result, they claimed third place this season and clinched their playoff spot by defeating Schalke away in the final round.

Heidenheim

Heidenheim was last season’s fairytale team. A year ago, the Bundesliga debutants shocked everyone by finishing 8th and qualifying for the UEFA Conference League. However, maintaining that level proved difficult. The team struggled to compete on multiple fronts. Their home form, in particular, was poor — with just 3 wins in 17 home matches, the worst in the league. That home weakness showed again in the first leg against Elversberg, making their survival challenge tougher. On the bright side, Heidenheim’s away form has been noticeably better throughout the season.

Head-to-Head Stats

The first leg ended in a 2–2 draw. Heidenheim started very poorly, while Elversberg looked far sharper and went into halftime with a 2-goal lead. However, Frank Schmidt’s team came out fired up in the second half and managed to level the match by scoring twice in just two minutes — resulting in a thrilling 2–2 scoreline.

Prediction

It’s difficult to pick a clear winner in the Elversberg vs Heidenheim matchup. The first leg showed how evenly matched these teams are. However, both sides have clear defensive vulnerabilities. That makes it likely we’ll see goals again in the second leg. A bet on over 2.5 total goals at odds of 1.65 looks like a solid choice.