VfL Bochum - SV Sandhausen

Home side to end negative run

TEAM NEWS

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

Sandhausen will again be without Mirco Born, Rick Wulle and Korbinian Vollmann, who are all injury concerns.

Bochum

Suspended: Johannes Wurtz

Doubtful: None

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

Sandhausen

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Mirco Born, Rick Wulle (both knee); Korbinian Vollmann (unspecified)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Bochum were completely outplayed by newly promoted Holstein Kiel in their last away match before the international break, with the game ending 3-0. They never found a way into the game and looked helpless despite receiving a boost from their home win against Ingolstadt in the previous outing. The team have won three of their last nine matches – an average performance which they had hoped to exceed before the start of the season. As a result, they find themselves close to the bottom of the table and are only two points above the relegation places.

Sandhausen are one of the surprise teams in the 2. Bundesliga. They have made the most of a low budget and sit in third place after beating Regensburg last time out. With five wins, two draws and two defeats and a positive +7 goal difference they have been very hot recently. One of the key contributing factors is their excellent defence as they have only conceded six goals in nine matches. However, up front they have not been so clinical, with only 13 goals so far.

Despite their recent disappointment, I still think Bochum should be able to beat a strong Sandhausen at home. I predict a home win here.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE – BOCHUM

Despite losing three of their last four games, Bochum have been the first to score in three of them. I think they will open the scoring here too.

HEAD TO HEAD

Bochum’s all-time home record against Sandhausen in the 2. Bundesliga consists of two wins, two draws and one defeat. They have not lost any of their last three matches against Sandhausen in front of their supporters.