TSG Hoffenheim – VfL Bochum
The round of 16 in the DFB Cup took place during the week. On Friday, the Bundesliga continues with matchday 14. However, the two teams that will be competing were not in action during the week. While the hosts from Hoffenheim failed to beat BVB in the 2nd round of the cup, the visitors from Castroper Straße were knocked out of the 3rd division in the 1st round against Bielefeld. You can find out who will come out on top in this exciting clash in our Hoffenheim – Bochum betting tip.
The two teams are currently separated by seven points in the top flight. However, both clubs have completely different ambitions this season. While the Kraichgauers, who currently occupy 6th place, are desperate to return to Europe, VfL Bochum want to avoid relegation at all costs. And VfL are well on their way to achieving this for the third time in a row. Bochum won 3:1 against Wolfsburg in the previous week to jump up to twelfth place. Hoffenheim, on the other hand, lost 2:1 at Gladbach on the last matchday and have now gone four games without a win
Hoffenheim – Bochum info:
- Date & Time: 08.12.2023, 8:30 pm
- Playing venue: PreZero Arena, Sinsheim
- Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 14
- TV broadcast: DAZN
Hoffenheim Form & Balance Check
Coach Pellegrino Matarazzo made a slow start to his tenure at TSG Hoffenheim, losing his first five games in a row. However, the team got to grips with the new coach better and better towards the end of the pre-season and ultimately secured their place in the league. Things were even more impressive for TSG at the start of the new season.
The team from Kraichgau picked up four wins from their first five games and established themselves at the top of the table. Recently, however, the Kraichgau club’s form crumbled somewhat. TSG have been without a win for a total of four games and suffered another 2:1 defeat at Borussia Mönchengladbach last Saturday
The scoring Dutchman
At TSG, attention is currently focused on Maximilian Beier, who has not scored in five Bundesliga games but has previously been in excellent form. The young German’s success is closely linked to the performance of his strike partner Wout Weghorst. The Dutchman repeatedly creates crucial spaces for the 21-year-old up top.
The former Wolfsburg man’s current form is particularly pleasing, as the 31-year-old was not particularly popular with the fans at Manchester United in the Premier League last season. The attacker was also successful again in the last game against Gladbach, forcing a 1:1 equalizer in the meantime
Hoffenheim facts & analysis
- First home win of the season
- In sixth place in the Bundesliga
- Lost 2-1 at Gladbach the previous week
Bochum Form & Balance Check
VfL Bochum’s promotion from Bundesliga 2 in 2021 came as a surprise to many fans. However, it is even more surprising that the men from Castroper Straße are now competing in the German top flight for the third time in a row. And this season, coach Thomas Letsch’s team are also making no plans to leave the league again.
Bochum are currently unbeaten in five games and won 3:1 against VfL Wolfsburg at the weekend. VfL have thus climbed back up to 12th place in the table and are currently five points ahead of the first direct relegation spot, which is currently occupied by Mainz 05.
Bernardo outstanding
Bochum’s defense faltered at the start of the season and could not cope with the newly installed back three. However, since coach Thomas Letsch returned to a back four, VfL are now much more stable again. One reason for this is the return of Keven Schlotterbeck, who is a real anchor in central defense. Probably the most important player in defense is also a newcomer.
Bernardo moved from Red Bull Salzburg to Castroper Straße in the summer and is making his second attempt in the Bundesliga after his first outing at RB Leipzig between 2016 and 2018 was not particularly successful. However, the trained central defender has been completely convincing at VfL so far, even on the unfamiliar left flank. The Brazilian has also won the most duels in the entire Bundesliga with 183
Bochum facts & analysis
- Without defeat in five games
- Won 3:1 against Wolfsburg in the previous week
- In twelfth place in the Bundesliga
Predicted line-up – last update on December 6, 2023
We are again assuming a 3-5-2 at Hoffenheim. Kevin Akpoguma will be missing for coach Materazzo’s team on Friday, however, as he picked up a fifth yellow card in the previous week. Berisha and Nsoki are still out injured.
VfL Bochum are again expected to play a 4-3-3 against TSG, with Keven Schlotterbeck one of six Bochum players to pick up a yellow card against Wolfsburg. For the central defender, however, it was his fifth. Ivan Ordets is also still missing for VfL through injury
Hoffenheim – Bochum head-to-head & stats
Bochum have a good record against TSG so far. The men from Castroper Straße have won five of their eight encounters with Hoffenheim. The Kraichgauers, on the other hand, have only won three times. In the previous season, the home team won each time
- Bochum have won four of their last five matches against Hoffenheim
- Hoffenheim win 30% of halves, Bochum win 17% of them
- Both teams are separated by seven points in the league
