Hannover 96 - VfL Bochum

The last match of this Round take place in Hannover where 96 hosts VfL Bochum. The home side coming from an awful week, losing twice to Fürth in league and Frankfurt in Cup. Nevertheless they have to look forward and take the focus to promotion race where they are still on track. With a win they get much more comfortable and have some advantage in the upcoming weeks. The opponent from Bochum had a lot of expectations to begin of the Season but failed hardly, therefore they are in big trouble if this continues in the upcoming weeks. Sooner or later they are full involved in relegation battle if results are not their way now.

The start into 2017 was hard because they had a lot of problems with Kaiserslautern where they could win 1-0 at home anyway. The next two matches were lost and they have to find a way back to winning otherwise Braunschweig and Union are getting closer and have the chance to overcome them. Although Coach Stendel count on the strongest available starting lineup in Cup they knocked out. The chance to get more was there but Sane missed a penalty in minute 90. After having 4 days to prepare to this game it should not affect them much. Compared to the last two games there will not be much changes. Coach Stendel counts on the same lineup again, only 1^st keeper Tschauner returns after be replaced by Sahin-Radlinger in Cup. There are not much options anyway because with Hübers, Benschop and Bech they miss some injured. On bench he has with Sobiech and Füllkrug good options for the offensive. Both wants to start of course but with Harnik and Karaman they have huge rivals which has some advantage right now.

The outcome from the first 17 matches was average and they expected much more. In winter trainings camp they were poorly and lost 4 from 5 matches. This maybe was a sign for the actual form and the situation in team. The start in Berlin was lost 1-2 to Union what the last results are always has predict. One week later against KSC at home they could get a Point although they were already down 0-1 again. Against one of the top teams this day they have to bring a top performance if they want to get anything out of this game. It would be a hard task anyway.

Why all this trouble, maybe it is because of too many injuries right now. Important players are still out and their return is a big question mark. With Stöger, Eisfeld and Bandowski they miss three long term injured while with Perthel, Fabian and Quaschner are there doubtful for the match today. If all 3 are not ready it is getting a mess for Coach Verbeek. Perthel was injured, was close to return but has a new injury now. Fabian was already out for the KSC game but he has chances that he can play. Quaschner got injured against KSC and has still problems. If Fabian is ready, Bastians can more to the left while Rieble can take Perthel’s positon on the right.