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VfL Bochum vs. Werder Bremen
We are close to the weekend and that usually means top football in the top leagues of Europe. The next matchday is also being played in the Bundesliga, and it is already the fifth in the current season. This means that one third of the shortened first half of the season has been completed, with ten matchdays to go until the big winter break. On Saturday afternoon at prime time, VfL Bochum awaits SV Werder Bremen at the Ruhrstadion.
The start to the season could not have gone worse for Bochum, as they are the only team in the league without a single point to their name. Accordingly, they are at the bottom of the table. They have to score against the promoted team from Bremen, otherwise they will lose ground early on. Werder, on the other hand, have had a solid start to the season, but suffered their first defeat of the season on the last matchday. We’ll tell you who we think is more likely to come out on top in this Bochum – Bremen betting tip.
Bochum – Bremen info:
– Date & Time: 03.09.2022, 15:30 Uhr
– Venue: Vonovia Ruhrstadion, Bochum
– Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 5
– TV broadcast: Sky Sport
Bochum Form & Balance Check
Little of the euphoria and great atmosphere of last season can be seen in Bochum at the moment. From a sporting point of view, things couldn’t be worse, and there are also public discussions about the coach’s contract. The future of Thomas Reis seems uncertain and Bochum must get points in the next two games against the promoted teams from Bremen and Schalke. Should the points also fail to materialise against these two teams, there will probably be a change of coach.
Nevertheless, not everything is bad in Bochum, because the narrow defeat against Freiburg last Friday was quite avoidable, the VfL kept up for long stretches. Only a lapse by regular goalkeeper Manuel Riemann cost the team the point in the end.
Is the quality enough for the Bundesliga?
Bochum lost a lot of individual quality in the summer. Sebastian Polter moved to Schalke, who scored ten goals last year. In addition, the core defence was disbanded and an equivalent replacement is not financially feasible. The team has strengthened its attacking side, but the new arrivals do not represent any reinforcement at the moment. For this reason, Bochum is one of the biggest candidates for relegation. But there are still 30 match days to go and the start of last season was anything but good, but in the end they improved enormously and sensationally stayed in the league. A similar course of events would probably be signed by everyone in Bochum.
Bochum facts & analysis
– Two games without a goal of their own
– Most goals conceded of all Bundesliga teams
– Still without a point in their own stadium
Bremen form & balance check
Currently Werder stand for spectacle in the Bundesliga. They suffered their first defeat of the season in the 3:4 against Frankfurt, but the game had a lot to offer. But you also have to be honest and say that the Bremen team repeatedly presents itself as anything but Bundesliga-capable at the back. The Frankfurt side created chances and goals far too easily, and Jiri Pavlenka, even if the goals were not necessarily stoppable, has not cut a secure figure throughout the season. He has had problems with the ball at his feet for some time. In addition, five of the ten goals he has scored this season have come from a distance. Accordingly, he is not yet the desired safe backstop.
Too many individual errors
But the Czech was by no means the only factor of uncertainty in recent weeks. Marco Friedl also seems to be suffering a little from the newly received armband, having a pitch-black day against the SGE. Milos Vejlkovic has never managed to prove his Bundesliga level, often has too much respect for the opposing strikers. But we have to give the biggest praise to the offensive so far.
Ole Werner’s tactical guidelines going forward are being fulfilled, and in addition, players like Bittencourt, Füllkrug or even Amos Pieper are showing that they belong in this league. Werder is extremely variable, the promoted team already has six different goal scorers. If they manage to get a grip on their defensive problems, then staying in the league is very likely.
Bremen facts & analysis
– Four of the ten goals of the season scored in injury time.
– An average of five goals scored in a match involving Bremen (top figure in the league)
– Fourth weakest defence in the league (10 goals conceded)
Predicted line-up – last update on 1 September 2022
Bochum will probably operate in a back four again, with the skilled centre-back in the left-back position. Stöger and Goralski will be deployed in midfield, while Zoller, Hofmann and Holtmann are expected to provide danger on the offensive. Asano would also be a possibility for the wing.
Bittencourt is not certain to play for the Bremen side, but if the top performer of recent weeks were to miss out, Schmid or Schmidt would be available. The latter made a much better impression in recent games, which is why Niklas Schmidt could easily have the edge. Apart from that, we don’t expect any changes.
Bochum – Bremen direct comparison & Statistics
The VfL is one of Werder’s absolute favourite opponents. In 66 Bundesliga matches, the North Germans have won 41 times. Bochum only managed to beat the SVW ten times.
– Werder won the last encounter 3:2 (2010).
– Bochum have won only one of their last 17 matches against Werder.
– Bochum’s last home win against Bremen was in 1998
