SV Darmstadt 98 - VfL Bochum

In-form Darmstadt set for another home win

TEAM NEWS

Darmstadt will be pleased with the current squad situation as Peter Niemeyer is the only player on the injury list. The club will be able to choose from a very strong squad and put out a very balanced team. They signed Felix Platte before the transfer window shut and the striker should strengthen their squad and give coach Torsten Frings one more option in attack.

Bochum are still missing Jannik Bandowski, Patrick Fabian, Timo Perthel and Nico Rieble who are all out injured.

Darmstadt

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Peter Niemeyer (heel)

Bochum

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Jannik Bandowski (lung), Patrick Fabian (nose); Timo Perthel, Nico Rieble (both knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Darmstadt sit in second after playing out a close 2-1 win against Duisburg before the international break. Torsten Frings’ side had the better opportunities on target and although Tobias Kempe missed a second-half penalty, the team found the winning goal in the 88th minute with a nice shot from Yannick Stark. Darmstadt are one of only four teams who are still unbeaten in the league, having registered three wins and one draw. They have won both of their home matches without conceding.

Bochum came from behind to beat Dresden in a contested match before the international break. Defender Felix Bastians scored twice to give Bochum a 2-1 lead at half time, with the team cementing their victory in the 88th minute. It was their first win under coach Ismail Atalan and it will give them additional motivation going forward after starting the campaign with an inconsistent run of one win, one draw and two defeats.

Darmstadt have been nearly unstoppable this season with the team only dropping points in a draw at Duisburg so far. I think they will win again here.

SECOND PREDICTION: HALF TIME HAD – HOME WIN

Bochum were behind twice at half time in their last two matches against Darmstadt and with the hosts being one of the in-form teams this season and having scored first in their last two home matches, there is no doubt in my mind that they will lead by half time.

HEAD TO HEAD

Darmstadt have won their last three home matches against Bochum with the teams’ last meeting taking place in 2015. The home side managed to keep two clean sheets while Bochum scored only once in those three matches.