VfL Bochum - Holstein Kiel

Bochum to make it back-to-back victories

TEAM NEWS

Bochum coach Robin Dutt has no injury or suspension concerns.

Holstein Kiel will have to do without the long-term injured Arne Sicker, Amara Conde and Manuel Janzer.

Bochum

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: None

Holstein Kiel

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Manuel Janzer (Achilles), Arne Sicker (unspecified), Amara Conde (foot)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Robin Dutt’s Bochum shocked Ingolstadt with a 1-0 win at Audi Sportpark in their last 2. Bundesliga outing. Sitting in 14^th, their main aim is to fire themselves further away from the relegation places and last weekend’s victory took them one point clear of the drop zone. Under new coach Robin Dutt they have shown a real uptrend in the last three matches but they are still in need of points to ensure they are safe from the drop.

Holstein Kiel thrashed Duisburg 5-0 at home last Saturday and have held on to third place with 40 points after 25 games. It was their first victory in 2018, with the Storks taking only eight points from their last 11 league games before winning that important game against Duisburg at Holstein Stadium in their last outing. Draws have been the predominant result for them since late October, with the team clinching nine in their last 14 games – compared to ten from 25 games all season. Away from home they are still winless since mid-October and the trip to Bochum should be a tough one.

Bochum have improved considerably under Dutt while Markus Anfang’s Kiel have not been convincing on the road over the last four months. Put your money on Bochum to claim a crucial win at Vonovia Ruhrstadium.

SECOND PREDICTION: HALF TIME HAD – DRAW

Bochum have gone into the break level at 0-0 in each of their last two matches. Furthermore, their defensive line has been very hard to beat in their last three games, with the team keeping two clean sheets. This could be a tight contest for the first 45 minutes on Saturday and I’ll back another low-scoring first half here.

HEAD TO HEAD

There has only been one meeting between these two in 2. Bundesliga when Bochum hosted the reverse fixture last September. They claimed a comfortable 3-0 victory.