VfL Bochum - SV Darmstadt 98

Hosts to take the spoils in tight league game at Vonovia Stadium

TEAM NEWS

Bochum’s long-term injury absentees Jannik Bandowski, Milos Pantovic, Silvere Ganvoula, Sebastian Maier and Thomas Eisfeld are all expected to miss out again while Stefano Celozzi is expected to return to training next week.

Darmstadt’s Rouven Sattelmaier is out with knee injury while Felix Platte is expected to be sidelined due to foot problems. Fabian Holland is unavailable due to a suspension.

Bochum

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Jannik Bandowski, Milos Pantovic, Thomas Eisfeld (all knee); Sebastian Maier (groin), Silvere Ganvoula (stomach), Stefano Celozzi (pulled muscle)

Darmstadt

Suspended: Fabian Holland

Doubtful: None

Injure d/unavailable: Rouven Sattelmaier (knee), Felix Platte (foot)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Bochum have had a mixed bag of results this season, but despite sitting in eighth they are still in touching distance of the promotion/relegation playoff place, with only four points separating them from third placed Cologne. Bochum have collected ten of their 17 points at Vonovia Stadium with three wins, one draw and two defeats. Robin Dutt’s side only secured a 3-3 draw with Jahn Regensburg in their most recent home league match, despite being 3-1 up until the 77^thminute. They followed that result up with their third draw in a row, away at Greuther Furth, which saw them again 2-0 up at half time before conceding two goals in a 2-2 draw.

Dirk Schuster’s Darmstadt have shown improvement in recent weeks, drawing one and winning two of their last three league contests. The team are coming off a 3-1 victory at home over Magdeburg. Overall though, they have only made an average start to their campaign, winning five, drawing two and losing five.

Having been close to winning their last two, Bochum will be desperate for a victory here. It will not be an easy league game for them, but I can see the home team edging it.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST HALF HAD – DRAW

Bochum have been level at the break in two of their last three league games and Darmstadt have been drawing at half time in 50% of their league matches. Expect the first half to finish in a draw here too.

HEAD TO HEAD

Bochum have won two of their four home league meetings with Darmstadt, with the others ending in a draw and a defeat.