VfL Bochum - Eintracht Braunschweig

Duo to cancel each other out

TEAM NEWS

Bochum coach Robin Dutt has no injury concerns to deal with and can count on a fully fit squad.

Braunschweig have Julius Biada out injured while Joseph Baffo has suffered a knee injury and is unavailable, too. The side are missing two more players in Steve Breitkreuz and Gerorg Teigl.

Bochum

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: None

Braunschweig

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Joseph Baffo (knee); Julius Biada, Steve Breitkreuz (both unspecified); Georg Teigl (ankle)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW

Bochum picked up a precious win two weeks ago as they beat Sandhausen 3-2 in an absolute thriller at Hardtwald Stadium. Those massive three points have lifted the team into 13^thplace, one point above the relegation zone. Under Robin Dutt, Bochum have now given themselves a great chance of survival as they have won two, drawn two and lost only one of their last five in the 2. Bundesliga.

Braunschweig have endured a tough time in recent months, but three wins and one draw from their last five in 2. Bundesliga has certainly lifted the spirits. In fact, a 3-2 win over Duisburg before the international break has put them up in ninth place with 36 points. However, they are not the best travellers with only two wins on the road in 13 matches. Their last away win dates back to late January. 

Bochum are still dangerously close to the drop zone, so three points here will be precious for them. However, after drawing two of the last four, I can see Braunschweig holding Bochum to another draw here.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST HALF HAD – AWAY WIN

Braunschweig have netted at least one goal in four of their last five league games while Bochum have scored just one during that time. I think the visitors will be ahead at half time.

HEAD TO HEAD

When these two last met at Eintracht Stadium in the reverse fixture in October, the game ended with a narrow 1-0 home win for Braunschweig. Overall, Bochum have the edge in this head-to-head though, with 11 wins, four draws and three defeats in 18 meetings at home.