Union Berlin - VfL Bochum

Union Berlin to bounce back on Sunday

TEAM NEWS

Union Berlin are missing the injured Sebastian Polter, Felix Kroos, Jacob Busk Jensen and Fabian Schonheim.

Bochum coach Robin Dutt has no injury concerns to deal with and can count on a fully fit squad. The club’s only absentees are Timo Perthel and Maxim Leitsch, but there should be a suitable replacement for him.

Union Berlin

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Fabian Schonheim (knee), Sebastian Polter (Achilles), Jacob Busk Jensen (unspecified), Felix Kroos (foot)

Bochum

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Maxim Leitsch (adductor), Timo Perthel (knee)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Union Berlin’s season may have petered out, but Andre Hofschneider will want his side to finish their home league campaign with three points on Sunday. Union, who are sitting in tenth in the second-tier table, have picked up only one win in their last eight games, losing three and drawing four of those along the way. Overall, Union have mustered up just six league victories at Alte Forsterei all season. They are coming off a disappointing 3-1 loss against second-from-bottom Darmstadt away from home.

Sixth-placed Bochum will be hoping to keep their momentum ticking with a win on the road after beating Aue 2-1 at home last Friday. Since losing 2-0 at Dresden in early February, Robin Dutt’s men have hit back with seven wins, three draws and only one defeat. With Bochum so strong and in such fine form, they would certainly be a force to be reckoned with if they make it into the promotion playoffs.

Bochum may be in a higher league position and have been playing well recently, but Union Berlin have been strong at home, with two wins and four draws in their last six games. This is a tough one, but I’m going with a victory for the home side here.

SECOND PREDICTION: ODD/EVEN – ODD

Union Berlin have won all of their last three home encounters against Bochum by a one-goal margin. I like the look of odd goals to be scored at Alte Forsterei on Sunday.

HEAD TO HEAD

Union Berlin and Bochum have met at Alte Forsterei on eight occasions, with the hosts winning six and losing two of those games. The reverse fixture earlier this season was a close game, with Bochum eventually winning 2-1.