Brisant promotion duel in Fürth

When two promoted teams play each other in the Bundesliga, it is usually about collecting points to stay in the league. That is also the case in this match, both Fürth and Bochum are rather in the lower area of the Bundesliga in terms of the table.

Although it is still too early to speak of a pre-decisive character, the loser definitely has one more worry line to lament. Ahead of the match Fürth vs Bochum, the odds show that there is no clear favourite. The bookmakers see the hosts ahead, but only very slightly.

The reason is obvious. Both teams are not equipped with the utmost confidence. That gnaws at the teams. Moreover, the pressure is already quite present. The game kicks off on Saturday afternoon at 15:30.

Fürth – Statistics & current form

In the duel of the two promoted teams, Greuther Fürth will receive VfL Bochum at the Ronhof. The hosts are already under pressure, because besides Fürth, only Arminia Bielefeld is still waiting for a win in the Bundesliga. It was clear, however, that it would be difficult as a promoted team with a squad of not too high quality and several departures in the summer. That’s why there is no unrest yet and no coach question to ask. At least not yet.

Before the match between Fürth and Bochum, the hosts are slightly favoured by the bookmakers. The home advantage may have played a role in the valuation, but it must be noted that Fürth has never won a home game in the Bundesliga. What sounds pompous must be put into perspective, however, because the Franconians are only playing their second season in the top flight of German football.

Nevertheless, you can literally feel that this knot has to burst. A win against the fellow promoted team would be a liberation. Especially because after this game, Leipzig, Freiburg and Frankfurt will be much tougher games for the hosts to face.

Fürth hope for the liberation blow

Fürth also showed decent approaches on the last matchday. In the end, however, the team still lost 1:3 in Cologne. That is exactly the problem, the good moments are not exploited. The team has just one point from seven games and if they don’t make a break for it soon, the air will automatically become thinner, calm in the club or not.

Defensively, in particular, there is a lot of catching up to do. Fürth conceded fewer than two goals in only one match, the draw against Arminia Bielefeld, which was the only point they scored. 19 goals conceded from seven games in the Bundesliga are simply too many and show the dilemma. At least Fürth scored at least one of their own goals in six of the seven games.

It is quite conceivable that the time has now been used to look a little more at defensive procedures. Ahead of the Fürth vs. Bochum match, our value tip is that not both teams will score due to the defence, which should be more in focus for both teams.

Predicted line-up of Fürth:
Burchert – Meyerhöfer, Hoogma, Viergever, Willems – Griesbeck, Seguin, Green, Christiansen – Itten, Hrgota

Last matches played by Fürth:

Bochum – Statistics & current form

For Bochum, as for Fürth, the transition to the Bundesliga was not easy. Overall, however, the guests from the Ruhr area showed somewhat better performances and are also better off in the standings. However, the four points from seven games are not enough to make them jump for joy, and Bochum are also in a direct relegation spot.

In this respect, this match is of course a clear basement duel. And while Fürth’s defence has been the main source of criticism lately, Bochum’s deficiencies are in other areas. In the last three Bundesliga games, VfL did not score a single goal. This is the longest drought since 2007 and also has to do with the absence of Simon Zoller.

A goal festival is therefore not necessarily to be expected. Caution should be the first order of business, because in a game like this, a 0:1 deficit can be very dangerous, because spaces then open up for the opponent.

Bochum: Will we finally manage another away win?

One factor Bochum also have in mind is their poor away record in the Bundesliga. Eleven times in a row they have failed to win away from home and the chance to put that right now with a team that is weak at home is of course tempting. Bochum’s form and quality suggest that this is quite conceivable, and the bookmakers don’t seem to rule it out either.

Of course, an away win in such a situation cannot be planned. Therefore, our tip before the match Fürth vs. Bochum is that the visitors will at least not lose this match. A draw would be a better result for Bochum than for the hosts in the current situation.

Predicted line-up of Bochum:
Riemann – Bockhorn, Bella Kotchap, Lampropoulos, Soares – Losilla, Tesche, Löwen, Holtmann, Blum – Polter

Last matches played by Bochum:

Fürth – Bochum Direct comparison / H2H balance

This is the first time the two have faced each other in the Bundesliga. In the previous 28 games, both teams managed eight wins, the remaining twelve games ended in draws. The direct comparison only goes to Fürth because of the two more goals scored.

Fürth – Bochum Tip

It is difficult to determine a real favourite before this match. Both teams are struggling with some weak statistics. Fürth is especially weak at home, Bochum had a hard time offensively lately

And so there is almost inevitably a starting position that is typical for a basement duel. Slight advantages in terms of form and quality can be seen, if at all, with Bochum. The pressure is greater on Fürth, so our tip before the match is that the visitors will not lose.