5 reasons Heidenheim will beat Chelsea

1) Perfect record

Despite sitting in the bottom half of the Bundesliga standings, Heidenheim have been flourishing in the UEFA Conference League. Frank Schmidt's side have recorded three wins from the opening three games of their maiden campaign in European competition, beating Slovenian side Olimpija 2-1 at home on Matchday 1, before travelling to Cyprus and Scotland respectively for Matchdays 2 and 3, in which they triumphed 1-0 over Pafos and 2-0 over Hearts.

Conceding just one goal so far in the competition too, the Baden-Württemberg-based side have demonstrated they're compact and orgainsed at the back, and hard-working and resilient out of possession. One thing is for certain: they will not make life easy at the Voith-Arena for English Premier League side Chelsea.

Watch: Heidenheim - from the sixth tier to Europe

2) The Wanner effect  

Heidenheim's 2023/24 run was so successful that there were always going to be consequences on the transfer front. And so it proved. Star performers Tim Kleindienst and Jan-Niklas Beste headed for pastures new and with the high-performing Eren Dinkçi ending a successful loan spell, fresh faces were needed to navigate a busy new campaign. 

Enter Paul Wanner, the Bayern Munich starlet with talent in abundance. The 18-year-old attacker joined on loan and teamed up with the likes of fellow new arrivals such as Léo Scienza and Mathias Honsak, among others, to immediately become a crowd favourite as Heidenheim burst out of the blocks. Wanner scored in his first top-flight game for Schmidt's men, and he added to that with another goal and assist on his next Bundesliga appearance for the 2023 second-division champions.

With Heidenheim flying in the opening weeks - winning seven of 10 games across all competitions - Wanner was at the heart of some scintillating team displays. His showings this term earned the youngster a Germany Under-21 debut in a qualifying double-header in October, with the teen even scoring in the second of those games. Already on target in this season's Conference League, Wanner will be keen to add another big moment to his young career against Chelsea.   

Watch: Paul Wanner - making waves at Heidenheim

3) Wily Schmidt is Mr. Heidenheim 

Rapidly closing in on 700 games at the Heidenheim helm, no other coach in German footballing history can match Schmidt's longevity in charge of a single club. The 50-year-old has spent the last 17 seasons overseeing first-team affairs at the team and his enthusiasm for the fight is as strong as ever. After nine seasons in the second division, Heidenheim-born Schmidt led his local side to the Bundesliga promised land for the first time in May 2023.

Many expected the team's maiden campaign in the top tier to be trying, yet Heidenheim defied expectations by finishing eighth and qualifying for the Conference League via a play-off. With his team's propensity to surprise displayed in last season's victories against Bayern and eventual runners-up Stuttgart, Schmidt has the tactical smarts to conjure up a plan that will keep former European champions Chelsea guessing.  

4) Visiting priorities, home comforts 

The fact that Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca recently made 11 changes to the side that started the 1-1 draw against Arsenal in the Premier League as compared to the team's previous 8-0 victory against Armenian side FC Noah in the Conference League may tell a tale as to where the Londoners' priorities lie at the moment. Thursday's visitors to Germany boast a large squad - and while there is no guarantee as to how they will line out against Heidenheim, Maresca may again opt for an unfamiliar XI in this fixture.

In any case, injuries to several key players could force the coach's hand against a side whose treatment room is far less busy. Thursday's hosts will be boosted by the return of defensive midfield lynchpin Lennard Maloney after the USMNT international was recently sidelined with a dead leg. The 25-year-old is a huge favourite of Schmidt's, with the ex-Borussia Dortmund player flourishing in midfield under the coach who oversaw Maloney's transition from central defender to a no-nonsense, engine-room grafter. 

Watch: When Heidenheim stunned the mighty Bayern Munich 

5) Big atmosphere 

The intimate Voith-Arena may only hold 15,000 spectators, but the ground will be rocking for the visit of Chelsea as home fans look to turn up the heat on the prestigious visitors. More used to playing in larger venues, the Blues will almost be able to reach out and touch the home supporters, who will descend on Schloßhaustraße number 162 to roar on a side that proudly represents a town of just 50,000.

If the chips are ever down against Chelsea, Heidenheim's 12th man will be right there to raise morale when needed and locals will be desperate to make sure they play their part on what will be one of the biggest nights in their club's history.