A battle between two of the league's early pacesetters sees free-scoring Baden-Württemburg side SV Sandhausen host equally impressive 1. FC Heidenheim in one of three 2. Bundesliga matches being played this Friday evening.

Overview and Form

Both of these teams have made extremely promising starts to the 2015/16 season. Heidenheim were tipped by quite a few to do so, however, not many would've expected to see SV Sandhausen make the start they have done. Had it not been for a three-point deduction they began the season on, they would sit comfortably top of the 2. Bundesliga pile with nine points from nine. However, due to this deduction, they lie 4th with six points.

They began the season with an impressive 1-3 away win over Eintracht Braunschweig, before an incredible late turnaround at home against 1. FC Union Berlin. They trailed that match 1-2 and 2-3, before late goals secured a 4-3 home win and maintained their 100% record. A trip to Bahlinger SC in the DFB-Pokal followed, where they won on penalties before what is unquestionably their most impressive result of the season yet.

Alois Schwartz's men made the journey north to newly-relegated SC Paderborn 07, widely fancied to be competing at the top of the 2. Bundesliga and made light work of Markus Gellhaus' side. Sandhausen won 0-6 which, in turn, set a new 2. Bundesliga record for the most goals scored in the opening three matchdays (13 goals scored in three games).

Heidenheim have also made an impressive start to the season. The Voith-Arena outfit boast two triumphs from three league matches, and also have a first-round DFB-Pokal win to their name. 1-0 home victories against 1860 Munich and Fortuna Düsseldorf, respectively, see them lie two places below Sandhausen in sixth.

Their other league match ended in a 3-2 defeat away at 1. FC Nürnberg, in what was an exciting encounter. They also comfortably progressed in the DFB-Pokal against Regionalliga Sudwest side FK Pirmasens, winning 1-4.

Head-to-head

Heidenheim have a comprehensive head-to-head record against Sandhausen. They have claimed 10 out of 12 points available in their last four competitive meetings and also won a friendly match in 2013.

The last tussle between the two clubs was just in May this year, where a 2-2 was played out. Friday's meeting promises to be an exciting one which both managers, Alois Schwartz and Frank Schmidt, will set up looking to win.

Key Players

Surprise package and free-scoring Sandhausen boast two of the 2. Bundesliga's top-scorers in American Andrew Wooten and Moroccan striker Aziz Bouhaddouz. The pair have notched up nine of Sandhausen's 13 league goals between them and Heidenheim must nullify them if they want to take maximum points from this meeting.

Although, of course, Heidenheim pose threats of their own. Robert Leipertz has made a quick start to the season in terms of scoring goals. Just the one league goal, but three in a competitions after chalking up a brace against FK Pirmasens.

Other attacking players such as experienced German attacking-midfielder Marc Schnatterer cannot be taken lightly. He's played over 250 times for Heidenheim and scored  more than 75 goals during his time at the club, but is yet to score this season.

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