Hoffenheim vs. Bochum preview: Two teams desperate for maximum points

Hoffenheim

Hoffenheim have experienced a disappointing start to the season, having taken just four points from their opening six league games. Die Kraichgauer kicked off the season with a narrow 3-2 victory over newly-promoted Holstein Kiel. However, instead of building upon that positive start, Hoffenheim lost four consecutive league matches against Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayer Leverkusen, Union Berlin and Werder Bremen.

Pellegrino Matarazzo’s side looked set to bounce back with a win in their away meeting with Stuttgart. Valentin Gendrey scored his first Hoffenheim goal to give his side a narrow lead at the half-time interval. Hoffenheim managed to stand firm until Ermedin Demirović netted a dramatic equaliser in the ninth minute of stoppage time. 

The failure to secure all three points ensured Hoffenheim went into the international break in the relegation playoff spot. They will return to action with a home fixture, with the hosts looking to produce a strong defensive display after conceding four goals in each of their last two matches at the PreZero Arena. Hoffenheim can take confidence from the fact they have won their last two home matches against Bochum.

Team News

The hosts are unable to call upon Ozan Kabak, Pavel Kaderabek Grischa Prömel, Finn Ole Becker and Ihlas Bebou. Hoffenheim will have to make a late decision on Dennis Geiger’s availability, while Stanley Nsoki will serve the second game of a two-match suspension.

Bochum

Peter Zeidler is still searching for his first win as Bochum boss after seeing his side take one point from their six league games. Die Unabsteigbaren kicked off the Bundesliga campaign with three consecutive defeats, before they finally got on the board with a 2-2 home draw against Holstein Kiel.

However, they were unable to add to that solitary point in their final outing before the international break. Bochum gave up a two-goal lead to lose 4-2 in their away meeting with Borussia Dortmund, before they fell to a 3-1 defeat in their home clash against Wolfsburg. 

Having conceded 14 goals in six games, Bochum head into matchday 10 with the Bundesliga’s fourth-worst defensive record. Meanwhile, they have mustered just six league goals at the opposite end of the pitch - only St. Pauli have scored fewer goals this season.

While Bochum have lost their last two away games against Hoffenheim, they did record a narrow 3-2 home win in their most recent head-to-head meeting in April.

Team News

Matus Bero and Bernardo are sidelined with knee injuries, while Myron Boadu is a doubt due to a hip issue.