VfL Bochum – SV Darmstadt 98
On matchday 27, the important questions regarding the championship and Europe are once again at stake. However, neither team has anything to do with these terms in this clash, which is all about the relegation battle. VfL Bochum and SV Darmstadt end the matchday with their clash on Sunday evening and the pairing could not be more exciting. With the three points, Bochum could ensure that they keep their distance from the very uncomfortable places, while for Darmstadt this game, even eight matchdays before the end, is almost the deciding game. You can find out who has the edge here in our Bochum – Darmstadt betting tip.
On the last matchday, Bochum had to face direct relegation rivals Mainz in a similarly important game. A win would have put them ten points clear of the relegation places and they would probably have been through. And although Bochum got off to a good start, they never really managed to close out the game against a stable Mainz defense and VfL were ultimately beaten 2-0 in the basement duel.
Darmstadt also had the expected tough game behind them. Before the international break, they faced the record champions from Munich at home and played courageously from the start. The reward for this strong opening phase was even a 1:0 lead, but at some point their strength was no longer enough and the difference in class between the two teams was clear to see. The final score from Darmstadt’s perspective: 2:5, their 17th defeat of the season
Bochum – Darmstadt Info
- Date & Time: 31.03.2024, 19:30 hrs.
- Playing venue: Vonovia Ruhrstadion, Bochum
- Competition: Bundesliga, 27th matchday
- TV broadcast/livestream: DAZN
Bochum Form & Balance Check
Bochum are currently doing everything they can to get back into the relegation battle. After a good phase from November to February, they seem to have really slumped in recent weeks. They have lost all of their last four games and conceded 13 goals in these duels.
In the table, this currently results in a 15th place, which is still six points away from the relegation place, but is getting closer and closer due to their current lack of form. Thomas Letsch’s team’s goal is to stay in the league and anything but a win against Darmstadt would be an absolute setback
Two-man strength
The Bochum team always play their games in a very physical manner, possibly to take away their opponents’ desire to play soccer. They have already won a total of 2781 duels this season, which is the absolute top figure in the league. They now face the team with the worst tackle ratio and can therefore play their physical game from the outset and cause mistakes for Darmstadt. With players like Asano and Stöger, Bochum can usually play out their counter-attacks very successfully after winning the ball
Bochum facts & analysis
- Strongest team in two matches
- 15th place in the table
- Lost last four games
Darmstadt Form & Balance Check
Darmstadt have been the worst team of the season since matchday 14. While they were able to put in a few pinpricks in the early stages of the season, they seem to be running out of steam and have lost seven times and drawn three times in their last ten games.
Their current form results in a last-place finish, twelve points off the drop. The team at the bottom of the table has the worst defence in the league and urgently needs to stabilize and get a win against Bochum if they want to keep a minimal chance of at least relegation
A jinxed year
Darmstadt are one of only two teams in the top three German soccer leagues not to have won a single game in 2024. Darmstadt’s last win this season came on matchday seven, in a 2:1 away win against Augsburg. With their two wins this season, they have the fewest wins in the league and even third-division side 1. FC Saarbrücken are giving them a run for their money. Saarbrücken have met a Bundesliga team three times in the DFB Cup and won three of those matches. SV Darmstadt thus have fewer wins against a Bundesliga team while playing in the Bundesliga every week than a third-division team
Darmstadt facts & analysis
- Only two wins in the current season
- Last of the table
- Lost last three games
Bochum will still have to do without rotation player Kwarteng (red suspension). Antwi-Adjei is an option in attack, while Gamboa could also be deployed on the right side of the back four.
Coach Torsten Lieberknecht will be without midfielder Franjic (yellow card suspension) for this game, with Gjasula moving into the center. Should captain Hollan be fit in time (recent adductor strain), he will start for Karic
Bochum – Darmstadt head-to-head & stats
15 times the two teams have met, the statistics are very balanced. Darmstadt won five times, the teams drew four times and Bochum won six times, most recently in the first half of the season in a 2:1 away win.
Direct comparison (H2H)
