A positive result for VfL Bochum against Hoffenheim at Vonovia Ruhrstadion on Saturday could take the Blues out of the bottom two in the Bundesliga.
A desirable outcome for Dieter Hecking's men in gameweek 24's encounter and a disappointing result for Heidenheim against Borussia Monchengladbach will see the second-bottom side move up one spot, but they must overcome a side that have secured four points from their recent two matches, including a victory in their last away game at Werder Bremen.
Match preview
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While Bochum may find themselves above Heidenheim if the sports tribunal's ruling to award them a 2-0 win against Union Berlin stands, the Blues remain in the dreaded bottom two places heading into round 24.
Hecking's side are currently second-bottom by virtue of their worse goal difference and are two points above Holstein Kiel entering this weekend.
While Die Unabsteigbaren cannot rise higher than the relegation playoff spot this weekend, Bochum could close the gap on St Pauli, with the 15th-placed side on a three-match losing sequence.
In contrast, Die Blauen have avoided defeat in the last three top-flight fixtures, playing out draws at Kiel and Wolfsburg either side of a 2-0 success against Borussia Dortmund in their most recent home game.
Keen to add to their three victories on home turf — triumphs over Heidenheim (2-0), St Pauli (1-0) and Dortmund (2-0) have come under Hecking — the hosts, who have lost once in five matches at Vonovia Ruhrstadion, will back themselves for another positive result in North Rhine-Westphalia.
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Facing an opponent not completely out of danger suggests that Saturday's encounter should be competitive, despite Hoffenheim's injury concerns.
Regardless, Christian Ilzer's men have notched four points from the last two Bundesliga matches, securing a 3-1 success at Wolfsburg and snatching an equaliser against last season's runners-up Stuttgart to pick up a point in round 23.
Keen to avoid losing three Bundesliga games for the first time since October 2024, when they notched two draws against Stuttgart and Heidenheim, either side of a 3-1 success against this weekend's opponents, the travelling support will hope for a similar outcome to widen the current seven-point gap from the danger zone.
However, Hoffenheim have not defeated Bochum in North Rhine-Westphalia since securing a 3-1 victory in October 2008, with the next four league encounters ending in defeat.
It will be fascinating to see if Die Kraichgauer can snap that losing run to continue their commendable sequence of winning two of their most recent three top-flight away fixtures, having gone eight matches winless on the road before defeating Kiel 3-1 in January.
Aiming for consecutive Bundesliga victories on their travels for the first time since notching five on the trot between August and October 2023, the Kraichgauers could rise above 13th-placed Union Berlin, even if that outcome is contingent on the capital club dropping points against the division's worst side.
Team News
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Felix Passlack (eye) and Gerrit Holtmann (hip) will be assessed before Saturday, while Myron Boadu (hamstring) is ruled out.
With seven-goal man Boadu missing, Matus Bero, Dani de Wit and Giorgos Masouras must step up for the Blues, which Masouras did with his brace against Dortmund.
Oliver Baumann (foot), Diadie Samassekou (thigh) and Umut Tohumcu (ankle) are doubtful for this weekend's match, but Ihlas Bebou (knee), Valentin Gendrey (groin), Adam Hlozek (foot), Ozan Kabak (knee), Christopher Lenz (calf) and Grischa Promel (knee) are expected to miss out.
Two of Andrej Kramaric's seven goals have been match-winning strikes, and the Croatian, who has also registered five assists, aims to be decisive for Die Kraichgauer.
Gift Orban has netted in consecutive games for Ilzer's side, including last weekend's leveller against Stuttgart, and the Nigerian could score in three successive Bundesliga matches.
VfL Bochum possible starting lineup:
Horn; Masovic, Ordets, Bernardo; Oermann, Bero, Sissoko, Krauss, Wittek; Masouras, Hofmann
Hoffenheim possible starting lineup:
Philipp; Kaderabek, Chaves, Ostigard, Prass; Stach, Becker; Bischof, Kramaric, Bulter; Orban
We say: VfL Bochum 2-1 Hoffenheim
Despite Hoffenheim's desire for consecutive away victories, Bochum, who are unbeaten on home soil against Saturday's opponents in four meetings, are backed to secure maximum points at Vonovia Ruhrstadion for the fourth time in six matches.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
