Can VfL make an important escape?

VfL Bochum are still winless in the Bundesliga after nine matchdays in the 2023/24 season (five draws, four defeats) after conceding a goal in the sixth minute of stoppage time. On the other hand, Darmstadt have already won two matches, although the Lilies have just suffered their heaviest defeat in a competitive match in professional soccer with an 8-0 loss to Bayern. It is therefore difficult to predict the outcome of this Friday evening game between Darmstadt and Bochum

It is clear that both teams could do with the three points to improve their not overly positive situation. However, it is also clear that both teams have noticeable defensive deficits. Only Gladbach (18.0) have conceded more shots per game in league play than SVD (17.2) and VfL (16.7). Accordingly, the prediction for Darmstadt against Bochum is that Friday’s match at the Stadion am Böllenfalltor will be more likely to be high-scoring than low-scoring

The fact that the South Hessians have the weakest defense in the Bundesliga, having already conceded 30 goals, also speaks for over 2.5 goals. Only twice before in the history of the Bundesliga has a team conceded at least 30 goals in the first nine matchdays – Tennis Borussia Berlin in 1976/77 and Eintracht Braunschweig in 1984/85 (both 31).

However, Bochum are not much more stable, as they have the third weakest defense in the Bundesliga with 23 goals conceded. Accordingly, the bet on at least three goals in Friday evening’s match is consistent

Darmstadt – statistics & current form

SV Darmstadt 98 returned to the top flight of German soccer this summer as runners-up in the Bundesliga 2. Of course, it was clear to everyone involved that it would once again be extremely difficult to survive as such a small fish in this shark tank.

After just over a quarter of the 2023/24 season, however, the Lilies are above the line. Seven points out of a possible 27 are currently enough for 14th place in the table, which would qualify the club from southern Hesse for another season in the top flight of German soccer

How will Lieberknecht replace Maglica and Gjasula?

But last weekend showed that there is still a long way to go to stay in the league.

The team from Darmstadt fell to an 8-0 defeat away at FC Bayern, for which the two dismissals of Matej Maglica and Klaus Gjasula, who coach Torsten Lieberknecht will now have to do without against Bochum, were also responsible.

This is unlikely to make it any easier for the Lilies to keep things together defensively in the future, especially as Gjasula, the player with the strongest tackling ability (66% tackle rate), is now missing. No less serious, however, is the loss of the 1.98-metre tall Maglica, who has won 75% of aerial duels and is therefore Hesse’s most important outfield player in this rating

Only 30 goals conceded in the first nine league games

With 30 goals already conceded, SVD also have by far the weakest defense in the Bundesliga. As mentioned at the outset, only two Bundesliga clubs had previously conceded at least 30 goals in the first nine matchdays.

Nevertheless, the odds are slightly in favor of Darmstadt against Bochum, who have won two of their last four league games (two defeats) and have also historically held the upper hand against the visitors from the Ruhr region in three of the four Bundesliga duels (one defeat).

Predicted Darmstadt line-up:

Bochum – Statistics & current form

VfL Bochum pulled off a spectacular escape on matchday 34 of the 2022/23 season with a 3-0 home win over Bayer Leverkusen to finish 14th in the final table and stay in the top flight of German soccer. It was the Werkself’s last competitive defeat to date.

For the blue-and-whites, however, it was the last three-pointer that Thomas Letsch’s side had managed to secure in the Bundesliga to date. After nine matchdays of the 2023/24 season, the team from the Ruhr region are still winless (five draws, four defeats)

One point more than a year ago at this time

Thanks to the high number of points shared, Bochum are not currently in a direct relegation spot. Nevertheless, the situation is tense after VfL were also unable to reward themselves in their last home game against the struggling 1. FSV Mainz 05. The 2:1 lead was equalized in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

Nevertheless, experience shows the team from the city of Grönemeyer that there is still no cause for concern. A year ago at this time, the Blue & Whites had just four points to their name – one point less than at the moment

The third most goals conceded in the Bundesliga

If Letsch’s team win away at Darmstadt against Bochum, it would still be an important liberating blow. It would also put an end to VfL’s inglorious losing streak. In the 2022/23 season, the Blue & Whites lost all four Bundesliga games against a promoted team.

However, the players from the Ruhr region also need to improve defensively. With 23 goals already conceded, Bochum have the third-weakest defense in the Bundesliga behind Darmstadt (30) and Mainz (24).

Predicted Bochum line-up:

Darmstadt – Bochum Direct comparison / H2H balance

Head to head: 5 – 4 – 5

There have been a total of 14 meetings between the two teams so far, both wearing the blue and white colors. The head-to-head record is completely even, although it should be noted that Darmstadt have not only won three of their four Bundesliga encounters with VfL to date (one defeat), but also recorded a 3:1 home win in the last meeting to date, which took place on April 26, 2021 in Bundesliga 2.

Darmstadt – Bochum betting tip

The betting odds for Darmstadt against Bochum are slightly in favor of the Lilies. After the recent 0:8 against Bayern and the two dismissals of Maglica and Gjasula, who are now suspended on Friday evening, this home game will be anything but a walk in the park for the South Hessians, although VfL are one of two Bundesliga teams to come to the stadium at the Böllenfalltor who have yet to win in league play (five draws, four defeats).

There are still too many risks associated with the three-way system in this Friday evening game. We therefore recommend a prediction of over 2.5 goals for Darmstadt against Bochum, which particularly takes into account the fact that both defensive lines have been very porous so far. SVD conceded the most goals in the first nine matchdays (30), VfL the third most (23).