VfL Bochum - Arminia Bielefeld

Bochum to take all three points on Friday night

TEAM NEWS

Bochum’s long-term injury absentees Jannik Bandowski, Milos Pantovic, Thomas Eisfeld and Florian Kraft are all likely to miss out again while Anthony Losilla is suspended after his two yellow cards against Heidenheim last time out.

Bielefeld are expected to be without midfielder Nils Quaschner, who is still recovering from a knee injury but working on his comeback. Tom Schutz has problems with his Achilles and is out for the next few weeks.

Bochum

Suspended: Anthony Losilla

Doubtful: 

Injured/unavailable: Jannik Bandowski, Milos Pantovic, Thomas Eisfeld (all knee); Florian Kraft (finger)

Bielefeld

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Nils Quaschner (knee), Tom Schutz (Achilles)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Bochum, who were one of the title favourites before a ball was kicked, have endured an indifferent start to their season. The side's results have been below expectations so far under Robin Dutt with just three wins, two draws and three losses. Last weekend, Bochum crashed to a 3-2 league defeat on the road at Heidenheim, who, at the time, were three points behind them. It was their second loss on the bounce, having fallen to a 1-0 defeat at home to Dresden beforehand.

Following a four-match unbeaten streak with two wins and two draws, Bielefeld succumbed to their second defeat in their most recent league outing. After losing 3-0 to Hamburg at Volkspark Stadium in round three, they were beaten 3-1 at home by Cologne last Friday night. Overall, Jeff Saibene’s side have won three, drawn three and lost two of their eight league games thus far. They had been flying high in the table, but their latest result has seen them slip down to tenth.

Both sides could do with a win after some poor results in recent weeks. However, being at home, I fancy Bochum to secure a vital three points on Friday night.

SECOND PREDICTION: HILO – LOW

There don't tend to be many total goals when these two teams meet, with five of the last six league encounters ending with a low score of two total goals or fewer. I expect this pattern continue here.

HEAD TO HEAD

Bochum have won just one of their previous five home league meetings with Bielefeld, losing two and drawing two.