VfL Bochum – Union Berlin
Pyrotechnics, red cards, a lighter thrown onto the pitch – the first leg between Bochum and Union Berlin reverberated for weeks. Now it’s time for a rematch at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion, and the roles couldn’t be more different: VfL is reeling after five consecutive defeats and is in 17th place, ten points adrift of safety. Union, on the other hand, is in 13th place with six unbeaten games and has secured its place in the league. Despite these contrasts, the duel is explosive: Bochum is unbeaten in five games against Union, with an average of well over 1.5 goals scored at the Ruhrstadion. VfL will be without creative force Miyoshi, while the visitors will be missing Roussillon and Juranović, among others – minor details that could tip the scales.
Bochum – 1. FC Union Berlin Info
- Venue: Vonovia Ruhrstadion, Bochum
- Date and time: 27.04.2025, 15:30
- Competition: Bundesliga (Matchday 31)
Bochum form & record check
Five defeats in a row – most recently a late 0-1 loss in Bremen – have left Bochum in deep trouble. In all five games, they conceded at least twice, often in both halves; the defense is particularly shaky in the final minutes. The offense is in a slump: only two goals in this period. Coach Hecking is counting on fighting spirit and minor tactical adjustments, but emphasizes that without more precision, everything will come to nothing. The relegation spot is two points away, making the home game against Union almost a final.
Bochum are likely to start in a 3-4-3 formation again: Horn – Oermann, Medić, Bernardo; Passlack, Sissoko, Krauß, Wittek; Masouras, Hofmann, Holtmann. Only Miyoshi (muscle tear) is still out, and his creativity on the wing is hard to replace. Hecking has stuck with his personnel recently, so major changes are unlikely.
1. FC Union Berlin Form & Record Check
Union is currently displaying an unusual mixture of solidity and attacking flair. Six league games unbeaten, including a wild 4-4 draw against Stuttgart, underpin the trend. Remarkably, all five of their most recent encounters were level at half-time – an indication of a controlled start to the game. Union have scored at least once in eight of their last ten competitive games, with the 0-0 slip-up in Leverkusen the exception. Thirteenth place means planning security, and Baumgart now has his sights set on the club record of eight unbeaten games. The absences of Kemlein and Jeong are painful, but experienced players such as Trimmel are keeping the team stable.
Union sticks with its tried-and-tested 3-5-2 formation: Rønnow – Doekhi, Querfeld, Diogo Leite; Trimmel, Khedira, Schäfer, Haberer, Rothe; Ilić, Hollerbach. Roussillon, Juranović, Kemlein, and Jeong are out injured, but Baumgart is putting his faith in his well-rehearsed midfield. Changes are only to be expected at short notice.
H2H Bochum – 1. FC Union Berlin Head-to-head & statistics
Bochum has the upper hand in the head-to-head record: three wins and two draws from the last five encounters, with Union waiting for a win against VfL since December 2022. In each of these games, there were over 1.5 goals, with the score only once exceeding 3.5. Bochum always scored at least once, as did Union in four out of five cases – another indication that goals are likely this time around.
