Dynamo Dresden - VfL Bochum

Teams to cancel each other out

TEAM NEWS
Dresden's Brian Hamalainen, Marco Hartmann and Florian Ballas are sidelined while Aias Aosman is suspended.

Bochum are still dealing with long-term absentees Jannik Bandowski, Thomas Eisfeld, Maxim Leitsch, Milos Pantovic, Patrick Fabian and Baris Ekincier.

Dresden
Suspended: Aias Aosman
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Brian Hamalainen (back), Marco Hartmann (thigh), Florian Ballas (joint)

Bochum
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Jannik Bandowski, Thomas Eisfeld (both knee); Maxim Leitsch (pubis), Baris Ekincier (unspecified), Patrick Fabian (rib), Milos Pantovic (not fit)

MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: DRAW
Since beating Ingolstadt 2-0 at DDV Arena three months ago, Dresden have picked up just five points from their last nine league games. Their poor form has seen them drop down to 14th in the table. After drawing 0-0 on home soil against Jahn Regensburg two weeks ago, Dresden were beaten 2-0 by Darmstadt at Bollenfalltor last weekend.

Bochum have also been slipping down the table lately, having lost their last four league matches. Last weekend, the team fell to a 3-1 defeat against Holstein Kiel on their own ground, leaving them without a win in league action once again while scoring only three in those last four league matches. In fact, Robin Dutt’s boys have picked up only two victories in their past nine league encounters along with one draw and six losses. Bochum are now ninth with 30 points from 23 league games.

Both sides have been in poor form of late and I’m finding it hard to separate them. Put your money on this league match to end all square.

SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST TEAM TO SCORE - DRESDEN
Dresden have scored first in each of their last four league meetings with Bochum. Have a punt on the home team to open the scoring in this one again.

HEAD TO HEAD
Dresden beat Bochum 1-0 away from home when they last met in the league in September. Last season, both sides registered one league victory each.