On Sunday evening, struggling Bundesliga pair Bochum and Darmstadt clash at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion.
Bochum needs to arrest a poor run of formThe home team are in worrying form, as a 2-0 defeat at fellow strugglers Mainz last time out was their fourth straight loss in the German top-flight. The game also saw Bochum concede at least two goals for the fourth consecutive match in the Bundesliga.
Their recent losing run means that Bochum are now just six points clear of the league's bottom three and seven above the automatic relegation spots.
Thomas Letsch’s team has suffered two straight home games against RB Leipzig and Freiburg. However, those two losses are their only defeats in ten home matches in the Bundesliga.
Their recent home games in the German top flight have been relatively high-scoring, with over 2.5 goals scored in five of their last eight matches.
Darmstadt’s nightmare campaign continued against Bayern MunichBottom of the table Darmstadt extended their poor run of form with a 5-2 home defeat against reigning champions Bayern Munich last time out.
The defeat was their third straight in the German top flight. They are also winless in their last 19 matches in the Bundesliga.
Darmstadt’s main issue in the Bundesliga recently has been conceding too many goals. Torsten Lieberknecht’s team has conceded at least two goals in five of their last seven matches.
Their recent away record in the German top flight has been poor. They have failed to win in the last eight matches on their travels.
A lack of goals on their travels has hindered Darmstadt’s chances of picking up away wins, as they have scored just once in their last four Bundesliga games away from home.
What am I backing?Both teams are in woeful form going into this clash. However, I am backing my gut feeling, which is that Bochum will record a narrow victory.
