FC St. Pauli

Both teams had reason to celebrate last weekend. The Boys in Brown came from behind to win 2-1 at Arminia Bielefeld, while Heidenheim saw off Aue by a goal to nil on home turf. Those victories underlined their current form and set up a meeting of the two sides who have taken the most points from their last seven games. We have picked up 16 points (five wins, one draw, one defeat) in that time, Heidenheim 14 (4-2-1).

With that in mind, Saturday's encounter certainly merits the 'big game' tag, and the Boys in Brown, who have won all of their last three home games against Heidenheim, go into it brimming with confidence. "I'm trying to wake people to the fact that it's nice to be top, that it's enjoyable," said head coach Markus Kauczinski after the 2-1 success at Bielefeld had catapulted his side to the top of the table overnight. And with fit-again Philipp Ziereis and Christopher Buchtmann at his disposal again, the St. Pauli boss is spoilt for choice in terms of his selection options.

No one will have any objections if the Boys in Brown hang around at the top end of the table a little longer, but for that to happen they will have to go to the limit once again. Heidenheim will be the expected "horrible opponents", as Philipp Ziereis put it. Their recent run of form, which has seen them score in each of their last nine games, has not escaped Marvin Knoll either. "Heidenheim play really good football and don't just hit it long. It's no coincidence that they've amassed so many points," said the defensive all-rounder, who paved the way for our seventh win in 12 league matches with his penalty to level the scores at Bielefeld.

An eighth win of the season is the stated aim of the Boys in Brown, who would sign off into the third international break of the season on a high if they were to take their points total to 25. "We're playing at home and of course we want to win," said Knoll. "With the fans behind us, we'll do all we can to keep all three points here." Enough said.

Photo: Witters