2. Bundesliga preview: 1. FC Magdeburg vs. VfL Bochum
| Baris Atik (L) of Magdeburg celebrates scoring his teams second goal during the 2. Bundesliga vs. Eintracht Braunschweig | Photo by Ronny Hartmann/Getty Images |
With both sides still looking anxiously over their shoulders, Saturday’s clash in Magdeburg carries significant weight at the wrong end of the 2. Bundesliga table. The hosts are fighting for survival, while Bochum are equally desperate to put more distance between themselves and the relegation zone.
Magdeburg’s situation has become increasingly precarious in recent weeks. One win from their last six matches has seen them slip into the bottom two, with momentum swinging in favour of their relegation rivals. They begin the weekend in 17th place, though just a single point separates them from safety in what is becoming an increasingly congested battle.
There was, however, a much-needed boost before the international break. A 3-1 victory over fellow strugglers Münster halted a five-game winless run, with Mateusz Żukowski rediscovering his scoring touch. The winger struck twice to take his tally to 13 league goals for the season, offering Magdeburg a timely spark heading into the run-in.
Bochum, meanwhile, have proven difficult to beat under Uwe Rösler, but turning draws into wins has been an ongoing issue. They have managed just one victory in their last seven league outings, drawing four times in that stretch. As a result, they sit 10th in the table, only six points clear of the bottom three.
Their most recent outing raised further concerns. Despite twice coming from behind, Bochum fell to a 3-2 home defeat against struggling Kiel, with Jonas Therkelsen sealing a late winner for the visitors. The result marked their first home loss in seven matches and served as a reminder that their position is far from secure.
The reverse fixture in November ended in a 2-0 win for Bochum, courtesy of goals from Kjell Wätjen and Gerrit Holtmann. Magdeburg, notably, are still searching for their first-ever victory in this fixture.
Team news
1. FC Magdeburg: Samuel Loric, Daniel Heber and Tarek Chahed remain sidelined through injury, while Philipp Hercher is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card. Luka Hyryläinen continues to train individually as he works his way back to fitness.
VfL Bochum: Matuš Bero and Kevin Vogt are unavailable while Francis Onyeka’s availability remains doubtful.
Predicted lineups
1. FC Magdeburg (4-3-3): Reimann (GK) - Musonda, Mathisen, Müller, Nollenberger - Ulrich, Michel, Stalmach - Tachie, Żukowski, Atik
VfL Bochum (4-2-3-1): Horn (GK) - Olsen, Morgalla, Loosli, Wittek - Lenz, Pannewig - Miyoshi, Marshall, Holtmann - Hofmann
