1.FC Köln – VfL Bochum
We are facing some incredibly exciting games on matchday 28. Above all, it’s about the games for relegation. Who will manage to escape the unpleasant zone and what surprises are in store for us? On Saturday afternoon, Cologne host VfL Bochum in a match that could redefine the relegation battle. At the moment, Bochum are still seven points clear of Cologne and the resulting direct relegation spot, but if Cologne win this game, things will get even tighter for VfL at the bottom. Find out who will come out on top in our Cologne – Bochum betting tip.
The last matchday was a small success for Cologne. The 1-1 draw away to Augsburg, one of the strongest teams in the second half of the season, did not necessarily move them any further forward, but even this one point could prove to be hugely important later on. Augsburg were the better team over the course of the game, but Cologne defended compactly and even had the chance to take the lead themselves during the match thanks to a few counter-attacks.
The final matchday could have unpleasant consequences for Bochum. They took a 2-0 lead against bottom-of-the-table Darmstadt shortly after half-time and were in complete control of the game. However, VfL then eased off and allowed Darmstadt to launch attacks of their own. The game became hectic again after the final goal after just over an hour and, of all people, the usually strong Riemann made a mistake between the posts and so Bochum conceded a not undeserved 2:2
Cologne – Bochum info
- Date & Time: 06.04.2024, 3:30 pm
- Playing venue: RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne
- Competition: Bundesliga, 28th matchday
- TV broadcast/live stream: Sky
Cologne Form & Balance Check
Cologne’s season has been a very dramatic one so far. With just three wins and 14 defeats from their 27 league games, they are quite rightly in 17th place, which would mean direct relegation. They are just one point off the relegation places and seven points clear of 15th-placed VfL Bochum. This match is an existentially important duel for Cologne and with a win, they can once again count themselves in with a serious chance of avoiding relegation. Bochum are a difficult opponent to play against and, especially in this relegation match, it will depend on small details that Cologne will have to exploit in order to pose a serious threat.
Cologne’s goal drought
In eleven games so far this season, the Effzeh have not managed to score a single goal. With 21 goals scored from 27 games this season, they have the worst offense in the league and therefore have a serious problem on their hands. Against Bochum, they will have to rediscover their attacking skills to really put VfL under pressure. A small glimmer of hope: top striker Selke is finally back at 100% after a lengthy injury lay-off and scored on his first start in over two months last weekend
Cologne facts & analysis
- 17th in the Bundesliga
- worst offense in the league
- Last match draw
Bochum Form & Balance Sheet Check
Bochum had some difficulties at the start of the season, then managed to find their feet, but are now in a very weak phase again. They have only drawn one of their last five games and lost the rest of their matches. The result is a 15th place, which would be enough to keep them in the league, but the gap to the bottom of the table has become smaller and smaller in the last few matchdays, also due to losing points against direct competitors
Fearful opponents relegation candidates
VfL have been struggling against the relegation candidates for the entire season. Against Darmstadt, Mainz and Cologne, who were the bottom three teams throughout the season, Bochum picked up just six points from five games and now they face the second leg against Cologne. Against Mainz and Darmstadt, there was a defeat and a draw on the last two matchdays, which is of course clearly too little in the fight for relegation
Bochum facts & analysis
- 15th in the table
- One draw, four defeats from the last five games
- Last game draw
Coach Timo Schultz will send the team onto the pitch in their usual 4-2-3-1. Finkgräfe will be the first choice left-back again after recovering from injury and Waldschmidt could also be an option for the first eleven if he is fit enough. Against a dynamic Bochum, Cologne will try to use Kainz and Alidou on the outside and feed Selke in the middle with crosses. Maina is also an option on the wing.
Thomas Letsch will send his team out onto the pitch in a 4-3-3, as he did in the first leg against Cologne. In terms of personnel, there will be few changes to his line-up compared to last week. The flanks in particular will try to get into one-on-one situations, and Bochum should also play around the speed of Asano and Antwi-Adjei
Cologne – Bochum head-to-head & stats
In total, this encounter has already taken place 74 times and the numbers are quite clear. Cologne have won 40 times, there have been 19 draws and Bochum have only won 15 of these matches. The statistics from the past speak for themselves, but there is no clear favorite in this relegation battle and we can look forward to an incredibly exciting Bundesliga clash
Direct comparison (H2H)
