VfL Bochum vs. VfB Stuttgart preview: Pokal finalists goal to finish winless Bundesliga streak
Bochum
Successive 3-1 defeats to Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayer Leverkusen have Bochum again within the automated relegation spot. In comparison with the opposite groups within the race for survival, Dieter Hecking’s aspect has a beneficiant fixture checklist within the remaining seven matchdays, nonetheless.
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However, they appear to be getting outcomes in opposition to harder opposition. Bochum’s final two wins got here in opposition to Bayern and Dortmund. On Saturday, they’ll hope to repeat that feat in opposition to final season’s runners-up, Stuttgart.
Bochum averted relegation final season after a 3-0 first-leg defeat at house to Fortuna Düsseldorf within the relegation/promotion playoff. With a five-point hole between them and Fifteenth-placed St. Pauli, one other playoff end may very well be a extra believable goal.
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Bochum will likely be hoping to have Bernardo, Kōji Miyoshi and Myron Boadu again of their matchday squad. Throughout his pre-game press convention, Hecking indicated they’ll resolve after evaluating their match health ranges.
Stuttgart
For some time, this season was heading in a distinct course from Stuttgart’s unbelievable second-placed end final marketing campaign. They narrowly missed out on a Champions League knockout place, whereas their first rate begin to the season is now a distant reminiscence.
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However, they’re now one step away from profitable the membership’s first main title in practically 20 years. Stuttgart placed on a dominant efficiency in opposition to Leipzig to win the semi-final conflict 3-1, because of targets from Angelo Stiller, Nick Woltemade and Jamie Leweling.
Earlier than the massive last in opposition to Arminia Bielefeld, Stuttgart will play seven Bundesliga matches to have an opportunity of European qualification through their league place. Together with Saturday’s journey to Bochum, the primary 5 will likely be in opposition to groups within the decrease half of the standings.
Group Information
Maximilian Mittelstädt, Stiller and Ameen Al-Dakhil will all miss the sport as a consequence of suspensions. In the meantime, Hoeneß expects Ramon Hendriks to return to the aspect after he missed the historic cup evening as a consequence of abdomen issues.