1.FC Kaiserslautern - VfL Bochum

Important match for two struggling clubs

TEAM NEWS

Kaiserslautern have three players on their injury list as Kacper Przybylko, Daniel Halfar and Mads Albaek remain absent.

Bochum’s Timo Perthel and Tim Hoogland are both absent with injuries while Lucas Hinterseer is unavailable due to suspension.

Kaiserslautern

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Kacper Przybylko (foot), Mads Albaek (pubis), Daniel Halfar (unspecified)

Bochum

Suspended: Lukas Hinterseer

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Timo Perthel (knee), Tim Hoogland (unspecified)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: AWAY WIN

After exiting the cup when losing 3-1 at home against top-flight club Stuttgart one and a half week ago, Kaiserslautern disappointed again at the weekend suffering another 3-1 defeat against fellow relegation candidates Regensburg. Kaiserslautern never found a way into the game and looked helpless throughout the 90 minutes. Following their bad performance in both cup and league, I cannot see past further disappointments over the upcoming weeks. With only one win, three draws and eight defeats, they are at the bottom of the 2. Bundesliga table and are already four points behind Greuther Furth in 17^th place.

Bochum are travelling to Kaiserslautern having lost their last three league games on away turf without scoring, while they have also conceded at least one goal in each of those matches. The team’s general away form reads badly too as the side have picked up just one win in six league matches. However, a more positive aspect of their statistics is that they were able to collect a draw against leader Dusseldorf in the last home game. This may give their confidence and team spirit a boost – and that is exactly what is needed to end their winless run against bottom-side Kaiserslautern.

This match is very hard to predict as both are in need of points and the game can turn into a very hard fight, but Bochum should have plenty of confidence after the draw with leaders Dusseldorf last time out. Away win.

SECOND PREDICTION: HALF TIME HAD – DRAW

Kaiserslautern have found it difficult to find the net in the first half this season, with them only scoring two of their goals within the first 45 minutes. With Bochum opening the scoring in four of their last seven league games, I expect the visitors to net the first goal of the match here too.

HEAD TO HEAD

These two teams have meet 34 times in the top flight and second division at Betzenberg.  Kaiserslautern have managed to win 19 games, drawn nine and lost six. The last meeting at Kaiserslautern was won 3-0 by the hosts in October 2016.