Rösler’s Bochum cannot buy a goal, and the league’s best attack is coming to the Ruhrstadion
Five goals in eight games is the worst return in 2. Bundesliga, and only one of them has come at the Ruhrstadion. Bochum have lost three in a row, sit 16th, and Uwe Rösler is going into this game with his future openly discussed. Wolfsburg are the opposite: 22 goals, third place and a 3-1 win over Heidenheim last weekend in which they scored inside the first minute.
„Das Spiel war ein Spiegelbild der letzten Wochen.“ – Bochum coach Uwe Rösler after the 2-0 defeat at Kaiserslautern (“That game was a mirror of the last few weeks.”)
Predicted lineups: Bochum vs Wolfsburg
Bochum are without Babis Drakas after knee surgery, as well as Jean Manuel Mbom, Philipp Strompf and Olsen, and the kicker expects Jarne Steuckers and Berkan Taz to come into the attacking midfield. Wolfsburg have Hornby, Svanberg, Hensel, Benedict and Rogério missing, but the core of their attack is fit: Fabian Reese, Robert Glatzel, Alexander Bernhardsson and Muhammed Damar should all start again, with Timon Wellenreuther keeping his place in goal.
Bochum Team News & Preview
Bochum took seven points from their first five games, but that now looks a long time ago. Since then they have lost 2-1 at Hannover, 1-0 at home to Bielefeld and 2-0 at Kaiserslautern, where they produced just 0.58 xG and created very little of note. Goalkeeper Timo Horn summed it up afterwards: week after week, the end product is missing.
The home record is the bigger worry. Bochum have lost 1-0 to Hertha, Osnabrück and Bielefeld at the Ruhrstadion and drawn 1-1 with Fürth, so they have scored once in four home games. According to the kicker and WAZ, talks over a new contract for Rösler are no longer being pursued, although he will be on the bench on Friday. That kind of situation can produce a reaction, but there has been little sign of one on the pitch.
What works for or against Bochum
- Five goals in eight league games, the fewest in the division.
- One goal and no wins in four home games.
- Only nine goals conceded, so they are rarely blown away.
- A possible reaction to the pressure on Rösler.
Wolfsburg Team News & Preview
Tobias Strobl’s side play with real attacking freedom. Bernhardsson scored after 34 seconds against Heidenheim, Glatzel headed the second just before half-time and Damar’s deflected shot made it 3-1. Reese set up that third goal, his 70th assist in 2. Bundesliga, a new record for the division.
The flip side is that Wolfsburg are rarely tidy at the back. They drew 4-4 with Cottbus and Nürnberg and have conceded 13 goals, more than Bochum. Their only league defeat so far was a 1-0 at St. Pauli in September.
What works for or against Wolfsburg
- The best attack in the league with 22 goals.
- Unbeaten in three and third in the table.
- Reese is the team's top creator and now holds the division's assist record.
- 13 goals conceded, including two 4-4 draws.
Bochum vs Wolfsburg Odds
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Bochum vs. Wolfsburg Form Guide
Bochum Form, Stats & Data
Bochum average 55% possession and generate 1.29 xG per game, but they have turned that into only 0.63 goals per game. That gap points to a finishing problem, and nothing in recent weeks suggests it is about to close.
Wolfsburg Form, Stats & Data
Wolfsburg average 2.40 xG and seven shots on target per game, far stronger attacking numbers than Bochum’s. They also allow 1.74 xG per game, so their games are open, but the attacking output is the decisive factor.
Bochum vs Wolfsburg: Prediction & Betting Tip
I think Wolfsburg win this. Their attack has scored 22 goals in eight games, while Bochum have managed one goal in four home matches and go into the game with their coach under heavy pressure. Reese, Glatzel and Bernhardsson give Wolfsburg several ways to break down a low block.
The strongest argument against is Bochum’s defensive solidity: only nine goals conceded is a respectable record, and a nervous home side that sits deep can make this a grind. Wolfsburg have also dropped points in wild games. That is why I am protecting the stake against a draw rather than backing the away win outright.
I am backing VfL Wolfsburg Draw No Bet at 1.57 with Winz, and I see this finishing 0-2.