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VfL Bochum vs. FSV Mainz
The first matchday of the new Bundesliga season is upon us! The long wait is finally over, from Friday onwards the 18 teams of the German top flight will entertain us again with top-class football. It starts on Friday with the opening match between Frankfurt and Bayern (click here for Frankfurt – Bayern betting tips), followed on Saturday by the popular conference of five matches. Among them is the exciting clash between VfL Bochum and FSV Mainz 05, which kicks off at 15:30 at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion.
Our prediction for this match can be found in the following Bochum vs Mainz tip. We expect an interesting duel between two teams that are both facing trend-setting seasons. For Bochum, in the difficult second year after promotion, it’s all about staying in the league, which would be a further step towards re-establishing themselves in the Bundesliga. Mainz, on the other hand, have finally been able to celebrate a calmer season after years of fighting relegation. Another season at a safe distance from the lower ranks would do the 05ers good.
Bochum – Mainz info
– Date & Time: 06.08.2022, 15:30 hrs.
– Venue: Vonovia-Ruhrstadion (Bochum)
– Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 1
– TV broadcast: Live on Sky Sport
Bochum Form & Balance Check
VfL Bochum have had a successful comeback season in the Bundesliga. As a promoted team, the team repeatedly showed strong performances and was able to play the season relatively carefree at the end. In 13th place, VfL had a strong nine-point lead over the relegation place in the final table. Among the absolute highlights of the season were the two furious victories against Bayern (4:2) and BVB (4:3), in which Bochum made it clear that they belonged in the Bundesliga.
Newcomers immediately in demand
However, everyone involved is aware that staying in the league will be even more difficult in the coming season. Especially since VfL has lost some important players with Leitsch, Polter, Rexhbecaj, Löwen, Bella-Kotchap or Pantovic. On the other hand, new players were urgently needed, all of whom came along at very low cost in view of the limited budget. Players like Hofmann, Förster, Horn, Goralski, Stöger, Ordets or Janko should nevertheless play important roles. In the cup duel with Viktoria Berlin, four newcomers were already in the starting eleven, and Bochum won a commanding 3-0 after goals from Zoller, Asano and Hofmann.
Bochum facts & statistics
– Finished 13th in the Bundesliga last season.
– Last won in the cup with 3:0 against Viktoria Berlin
– 2nd Bundesliga season after promotion
Mainz Form & Balance Check
Mainz continued their great development under coach Bo Svensson last season. The coach had taken over FSV in the 2020/21 season in the winter and prevented the almost certain relegation in an impressive manner. In the first full season under the Dane’s leadership, the 05ers even managed to jump to eighth place. In the end, Mainz missed out on the international stage by just one place, but also by six points. In the new season, the Rheinhessen team wants to remain humble and continue the positive trend.
Second double-duel for Mainz
However, FSV also had to accept the departure of some regular players. With Niakhate and St. Juste, two top-class central defenders left, and Mainz also let Boetius go. To fill the gap in the defence, Mainz signed the talented Leitsch from upcoming opponents Bochum, while in midfield, newcomers Fulgini and Barkok are competing for a place. In addition, the 05ers have more options on the flanks thanks to the transfers of Caci and da Costa. In the cup match against Aue, however, Leitsch was the only newcomer in the starting eleven, Kohr, Burgzorg and Ingvartsen scored in the 3-0 win.
Mainz facts & analysis
– Finished 8th in the Bundesliga last season.
– Last won 3:0 against Aue in the cup
– Second full season under Svensson
Predicted line-up – last update on 4 August 2022
For Bochum, coach Reis could leave the starting line-up from the cup success unchanged. Instead of the 4-3-3 of last season, the coach would start in a 4-2-3-1, in which only the place in central defence next to Ordets is contested. Instead of Lampropoulos, Masovic could also start here. Soares, Horn, Goralski and Oermann are currently missing due to injury.
Mainz could also start this match with the starting eleven from the cup match. Svensson will continue to rely on his tried and tested 3-5-2, in which only one position is currently unoccupied. In midfield, Lee and newcomer Fulgini will battle it out for the place next to Stach.
We’re really looking forward to Saturday!🤩 We’ll increase the anticipation a bit more with our three cup goals from the game against Viktoria Berlin💪 We’ll keep it up! 😎@SiZolli @AsaTaku29 HofmannmyVfL BOCM05 pic. twitter.com/OiZXXgulT5
– VfL Bochum 1848 (@VfLBochum1848eV) August 3, 2022
Bochum – Mainz direct comparison & statistics
VfL Bochum and Mainz 05 have met 18 times directly so far. However, the overall statistics are in favour of the 05ers, who have picked up nine victories so far. Bochum won six times, three games ended in draws. In the Bundesliga, the home team was always victorious last season. Bochum and Mainz also met in the cup in the last two years, with VfL winning both matches.
– The average number of goals scored in a match between VfL Bochum and FSV Mainz is 3.2.
– The average number of goals scored in the first half in matches between VfL Bochum and FSV Mainz is 1.4.
– Both teams won their must-win cup opener 3-0.
– The Bundesliga comparisons between the two clubs last season: 2-0 (home to VfL Bochum) and 1-0 (home to FSV Mainz).
– The most common result between VfL Bochum and FSV Mainz is 0-1. 5 matches ended like this.
