As VfL Bochum aims for back-to-back victories, they face FC Koln in a pivotal Bundesliga matchup on Saturday evening.
Match Preview:
Bochum secured their first win this season with a 2-1 triumph against SV Darmstadt 98, propelling them out of the relegation zone.
The victory, albeit hard-fought, marked a significant leap in the standings. Thomas Letsch’s side now eyes another crucial win, especially after breaking a nine-game winless streak.
Koln, on the contrary, faces a challenging season, currently positioned at the bottom of the table.
Despite an encouraging draw against Augsburg, Koln has struggled, winning only once in the Bundesliga.
A recent 6-0 loss to RB Leipzig adds to their woes, making every point vital in their quest for survival.
Team Form:
VfL Bochum Bundesliga Form: L, L, D, L, D, W
FC Koln Bundesliga Form: L, L, L, W, L, D
FC Koln All Competitions Form: L, L, W, L, L, D
Team News:
Bochum faces an injury-ridden lineup with players like Bero, Esser, Tolba, Mousset, Osei-Tutu, Ordets, Antwi-Adjei, and Romling expected to miss the game.
Letsch must decide between Soares and Broschinski, considering a tactical shift or maintaining the attacking setup.
Koln grapples with injury concerns, sidelining Pentke and Christensen.
Downs and Ljubicic are doubtful. The return of Paqarada at left-back could bring defensive balance, while Selke eyes a starting role to bolster the attacking front.
Possible Starting Lineups:
VfL Bochum:
- Riemann;
- Masovic, Schlotterbeck, Bernardo;
- Gamboa, Losilla, Stoger, Osterhage, Soares;
- Asano, Hofmann
FC Koln:
- Schwabe;
- Carstensen, Hubers, Chabot, Paqarada;
- Martel, Kainz;
- Maina, Uth, Waldschmidt;
- Selke
Prediction: VfL Bochum 1-1 FC Koln
Expect a closely contested match at Vonovia Ruhrstadion, as both teams seek vital points for survival. Bochum’s resilience meets Koln’s determination, likely resulting in a hard-fought draw in this potential relegation six-pointer.