Neil Critchley is aiming to secure Hearts' third win from three Conference League games
Uefa Conference League: Hearts v Heidenheim
Venue: Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh Date: Thursday, 6 November Kick-off: 20:00 GMT
Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Sounds & BBC Sport website & app
Hearts will need "a very strong mentality" to get the better of Bundesliga side Heidenheim and maintain their 100% record in the Conference League, says head coach Neil Critchley.
The Edinburgh side have struggled in the Scottish Premiership this season and are second bottom, but have beaten Dinamo Minsk and Omonia Nicosia in Europe's third-tier competition.
Heidenheim also have a perfect record in the competition after wins against Olimpija Ljubljana and Pafos.
Frank Schmidt's side are playing in European competition for the first time ever, having finished eighth last season in their maiden Bundesliga campaign.
Schmidt, 50, has been in charge of the club for 17 years having steered them from the fifth tier of German football to the top flight.
"Heidenheim, because they're used to winning games and having success, they know how to manage games very well, winning or losing," Critchley said.
“They have a maturity in how they play the game. We have to make sure that, yes, we want to play with emotion, we want to play with intensity, we want to get the supporters behind us, but also we have to manage periods of the game."
Critchley took over after Steven Naismith's dismissal last month and steered the side to the 2-0 win over Omonia at Tynecastle.
With the top eight sides progressing to the last 16 and those placed from 9th to 24th entering the play-off round, Hearts are in a strong position to reach the knockout stages.
Former Blackpool boss Critchley, though, says he has not looked at how many points the club might need to get through and secure European football after Christmas for the first time since 1989.
"I'm not sure how far [we can go], but we've made a good start and we have to capitalise on that," he added.
"It would be foolish to start looking ahead and planning ahead. Hopefully, the supporters are doing that for some of their away trips, but for us, we're solely focused on Thursday night and the job we've got in front of us."
Team news
Hearts have no fresh injury concerns beyond Yutaro Oda and Calem Nieuwenhof, who are still a few weeks away from returning, and Gerald Taylor who is out long term. Musa Drammeh is not in the Conference League squad.
What they said
Hearts head coach Neil Critchley: "I think when you're meeting certain teams from certain parts of Europe and the footballing world, German teams, Bundesliga teams, it does create that little bit more anticipation in the type of game you might be playing and seeing how good they are.
"We know we're in for a big test, but if we can play a game that we want to play, then we know it'll be a really good game."
Heidenheim head coach Frank Schmidt: "You can observe change [in Hearts] since the new coach took over. They have a clear plan and play with a lot of power. The players are ready to make a difference.
"They play with purpose in attack. If I was to imagine how a Scottish team play it would be like this with a lot of pressing and direct play. They have individuals who have produced moments with their creativity. Their recent form is quite good and it will be a tough task for both teams, I hope."
Match stats
Hearts and Heidenheim both won their opening two Conference League games, with the Edinburgh side sitting sixth and the Germans in ninth having scored one less goal.
Hearts sit second bottom of the Scottish Premiership but have only lost once in five outings.
Heidenheim are 12th in the Bundesliga and have only won once in six outings.
Hearts have won three and lost six of their nine matches against German opposition, while Heidenheim have never previously faced a Scottish side.
Hearts have won three and lost two of their home games against German visitors, losing the most recent - 1-0 to Schalke 04 in the 2004 Uefa Cup group stage.
Cassio Lincoln scored Schalke's winner at Murrayfield Stadium after Hearts' Patrick Kisnorbo was sent off.
Hearts last defeated a German side in the 2000 Uefa Cup, when the Edinburgh side beat Stuttgart, who finished with nine men, 3-2 but went out on away goals.
