VfL Bochum - FC St. Pauli

Bochum to make it back-to-back home wins

TEAM NEWS

Bochum are still dealing with long-term absentees Jannik Bandowski, Milos Pantovic, Sebastian Maier, Maxim Leitsch, Robbie Kruse and Thomas Eisfeld while Lee Chung Yong is missing with suspension.

St. Pauli's Marc Hornschuh, Richard Neudecker and Christopher Buchtmann are all injured and will not be available against Bochum.

Bochum

Suspended: Lee Chung Yong

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Jannik Bandowski, Milos Pantovic, Thomas Eisfeld (all knee); Sebastian Maier (groin), Maxim Leitsch (pubis), Robbie Kruse (adductor)

St. Pauli

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Injured/unavailable: Marc Hornschuh (spinal disc), Christopher Buchtmann (pulled muscle) Richard Neudecker (calf)

MATCH PREVIEW

MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN

Bochum have been performing well in Germany’s second tier of late. Following back-to-back defeats in late September, the team started an excellent unbeaten run with three of their last seven league matches ending in wins, along with four draws. However, they will have been disappointed after managing only a 0-0 draw against bottom-of-the-league Magdeburg at MDCC Arena last weekend. Bochum are sitting in fifth in the table on 24 points from a possible 45, only three behind the promotion/relegation playoff spot.

Since their 1-0 home defeat against Holstein Kiel in late October, St. Pauli have been hitting back, with six points from their last four league matches (one win, three draws). After winning 2-1 at Bielefeld, they have battled to three 1-1 draws against Heidenheim, Jahn Regensburg and Dresden in a row. Despite starting the season with three losses and two wins in five league games, St. Pauli have been on a good run of late with only one defeat in their last ten league outings (five wins, four draws). They are sitting in an excellent fourth spot with 25 points, only two behind third placed Union Berlin.

Both teams are coming off good runs and have been in form, but I’m backing Bochum to seal back-to-back wins at Vonovia Stadium here. Put your money on Bochum to prevail.

SECOND PREDICTION: CORRECT SCORE – 1-0

Four of Bochum's five home wins in the league have come with clean sheets, with three of them 1-0 victories. Meanwhile, St. Pauli’s last league defeat also arrived via the same scoreline. Expect a 1-0 win for the home team.

HEAD TO HEAD

St. Pauli have won five and drawn three of their last eight league meetings with Bochum, scoring 18 times in the process.