Bochum vs Hoffenheim preview: Points up for grabs in crucial bottom-end clash | OneFootball

Bochum

Bochum could climb out of the bottom two in the Bundesliga with a positive result against Hoffenheim at Vonovia Ruhrstadion on Saturday.

While Hecking’s men may move above Heidenheim should the sports tribunal uphold their 2-0 awarded victory over Union Berlin, they remain in the relegation zone heading into matchday 24.

Currently second-bottom due to an inferior goal difference, Die Unabsteigbaren hold a two-point advantage over Holstein Kiel and will look to close the gap on St. Pauli, who sit 15th after three consecutive losses.

Bochum are unbeaten in three Bundesliga outings, securing draws against Kiel and Wolfsburg on either side of a 2-0 triumph over Borussia Dortmund in their last home fixture.

Having won three times at Vonovia Ruhrstadion this season, including victories over Heidenheim (2-0), St. Pauli (1-0), and Dortmund (2-0), the hosts, who have suffered just one defeat in their last five home matches, will be confident of extending their solid run in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Team News

Bochum’s injury concerns persist, with Takuma Asano (knee), Ivan Ordets (muscle), and Michael Esser (shoulder) all ruled out.

The same applies to Moritz-Broni Kwarteng (knee), Mohammed Tolba (ACL), and Lys Mousset (fitness), leaving Hecking with limited options in key areas.

On a positive note, Philipp Hofmann is available after serving a suspension and could return to the starting XI, while Kevin Stöger will be crucial in midfield after assisting four of Bochum’s last six goals.

Felix Passlack (eye) and Gerrit Holtmann (hip) will undergo late fitness tests, while Myron Boadu (hamstring) is ruled out. With the seven-goal forward missing, Matus Bero, Dani de Wit, and Giorgos Masouras must provide an attacking spark, just as Masouras did with his brace against Dortmund.

Hoffenheim

Saturday's visitors face a side still battling for safety, setting up what should be a competitive encounter despite Hoffenheim's ongoing injury struggles.

Christian Ilzer’s team have taken four points from their last two Bundesliga matches, following up a 3-1 win at Wolfsburg with a late equaliser against last season’s runners-up Stuttgart in round 23.

Determined to avoid a third Bundesliga defeat in a row for the first time since October 2024, when they recorded two draws against Stuttgart and Heidenheim, alongside a 3-1 victory over Bochum—the visitors will aim to extend their seven-point cushion above the bottom three.

Team News

Oliver Baumann (foot), Diadie Samassekou (thigh), and Umut Tohumcu (ankle) remain doubtful, while Ihlas Bebou (knee), Valentin Gendrey (groin), Adam Hlozek (foot), Ozan Kabak (knee), Christopher Lenz (calf), and Grischa Prömel (knee) are all expected to miss out.

Two of Andrej Kramarić’s seven goals this season have been match-winners, and the Croatian, who also has five assists, will hope to be decisive again for Die Kraichgauer.

Gift Orban has scored in back-to-back Bundesliga matches—including last weekend’s equaliser against Stuttgart—and could find the net for a third consecutive game.