Whose defence is stabilising again?

With 13 goals conceded from the first five league games, promoted VfL Bochum are the Bundesliga’s shooting gallery. VfB Stuttgart, who have also only won one of their first five league games, are not doing too well with twelve goals conceded. Now two recently very holey defences clash in a direct comparison

This duel, which will be played for the 75th time in a competitive match on Sunday, is also linked to a struggle for the defensive stability that has been lacking of late. The betting companies, meanwhile, are expecting the Swabians to be a little more solid, as the odds in the run-up to the game between Bochum and VfB Stuttgart are swinging in the direction of the visitors.

Given that Stuttgart have only lost one of their last 15 competitive games against VfL, it is entirely possible to bet on the visitors to win a point in the match between Bochum and VfB Stuttgart. However, we find even more value in betting on a maximum of two goals. After all, both teams want to stabilise.

In addition, this duel between two teams that also play a role in the Bundesliga relegation forecast has rarely been a high-scoring affair. In ten of their last twelve encounters alone, bets on less than 2.5 goals would always have paid off.

Germany Bochum – Statistics & current form

VfL Bochum were promoted to the Beletage of German football this summer as champions of the 2. Bundesliga. It was a promotion that came out of nowhere, especially since the former grey mouse of German professional football had previously spent eleven consecutive years in the second division, mostly in the midfield.

All the more problematic was the fact that promotion awakened covetousness. Key players such as Robert Zulj left the club, which announced selective reinforcements but did not make any noticeable leap in quality overall.

So far four defeats with a total of 13 goals conceded

Although Bochum won directly on the second matchday at home against the otherwise dazzling 1. FSV Mainz 05, there were always defeats in the other four league matches, with a total of 13 goals conceded in these four games.

The most recent sad low point was the 0:7 defeat at FC Bayern. Even before that, however, the Blue and Whites had already lost 3-1 at home to Hertha BSC in the basement duel, a match that showed just how difficult the mission to stay in the league is likely to be for the glaring underdogs.

Historically speaking, there is no cause for concern yet

Nevertheless, VfL have absolutely nothing to lose and, at least from a historical point of view, have nothing to worry about yet despite their false start. In 1979/80 and 1991/92, VfL had less than three points after five matchdays, and in both seasons the grey mouse of football remained in the top flight.

The first step to consolidating is probably to get the defence sorted again. For this very reason, the betting on a tactical and not too high-scoring game in Bochum against VfB Stuttgart is very good overall.

Predicted line-up of Bochum:
Riemann – Soares – Masovic – Bella Kotchap – Stafylidis – Rexhbecaj – Losilla – Holtmann – Löwen – Bockhorn – Polter

Last matches played by Bochum:

Germany VfB Stuttgart – Statistics & current form

VfB Stuttgart are one of the more successful German clubs, having won five German championships and three overall DFB Pokal victories. The Swabians occupy fifth place in the Bundesliga’s perpetual table.

Nevertheless, the last time the White-Red had to spend a year in the 2nd Bundesliga was in both the 2016/17 and 2019/20 seasons. Now it’s time for the second attempt to get through the second year of promotion to the top flight of German football in one piece.

Only four points out of a possible 15 from the first five games

It was clear in advance that the Swabians, who sold top performers such as Nicolás González and Gregor Kobel for a lot of money in the summer, were in for a difficult season. After five matchdays, the team has only four points out of a possible 15, which underlines how long and difficult the road to staying in the league will be.

Although the Swabians are currently in 14th place, Pellegrino Matarazzo’s team would slip to a direct relegation place with a defeat in Bochum. Accordingly, early in the still young season, pressure is present for the Baden-Württemberger.

None of the last eight away games in Bochum lost

Pressure, which is intensified by the fact that the betting companies see the five-time German champions as such clear favourites away in the Ruhr area.

This assessment, meanwhile, is supported by the balance sheet. Stuttgart have lost only one of their last 15 competitive games against the Blue and Whites and have recently remained unbeaten in eight away games in Bochum (six wins, two draws) – longer than any other current Bundesliga team.

Predicted line-up of VfB Stuttgart:
Müller – Kempf – Anton – Mavropanos – Sosa – Endo – Mangala – Massimo – Coulibaly – Klimowicz – Marmoush

Last matches played by VfB Stuttgart:

Bochum – VfB Stuttgart Direct comparison / H2H-Balance

Head to head: 17 – 18 – 39

There have been a total of 74 meetings between the two teams so far and with 39 victories, VfB Stuttgart clearly lead the direct comparison. Most recently, the Red and Whites have lost just one of their last 15 competitive games against VfL Bochum (four draws, ten wins).

United Kingdom Bochum – VfB Stuttgart United Kingdom Tip

With Bochum against VfB Stuttgart, however, the prediction should not overestimate the direct comparison. What is much more interesting about the head-to-head figures is the fact that there have only been more than two goals in two of the last twelve competitive matches between the two teams. For the most part, Stuttgart and Bochum have met on equal terms and played close and tactical duels. With a view to the current standings, that is again to be expected today.

After all, both teams have only won one of their five league games and need to stabilise their defence, so betting on the three-way system is extremely risky, we recommend betting on a maximum of two goals.