Dusseldorf vs Bochum prediction: GERMANY: Bundesliga – Relegation betting tips on match 2024-05-26 18:30.
[p]You can never say never in football, but Fortuna Düsseldorf will enter the second leg of this relegation play-off tie with one foot already in next season’s Bundesliga after they produced a stunning display to win the opening clash 3-0 on Thursday. Getting off to a quick start thanks to a Bochum own goal in the 13th minute, Düsseldorf never looked back as they now seem certain to return to Germany’s top-flight for the first time since 2019/20.[/p]
[p]Their chances of sealing promotion here only continue to grow with a glance towards their recent home form, as Daniel Thioune’s side finished their 2. Bundesliga campaign by winning their last six outings at Merkur Spiel-Arena in succession. Four of those additionally witnessed Düsseldorf keep a clean sheet in the process and the home fans will hope that their backline can again produce another solid showing here in order to push them over the line.[/p]
[p]As for visiting Bochum, they remain in the middle of a nightmare which will only seemingly end in relegation to Germany’s second tier this season. Falling into the Bundesliga’s bottom three on the final day of the campaign after another heavy defeat, their preparation was seriously hampered as first-choice goalkeeper Manuel Riemann was dumped from the squad, a decision which ultimately backfired for manager Heiko Butscher after their dismal showing in the first leg. [/p]
[p]Butscher will have spent his weekend looking to build at least a little confidence in the away dressing room, but with one win in 11 on the road (D2, L8), a comeback looks unlikely to materialise. Maybe inspiration should be taken from Bochum’s 1989/90 squad instead, the only other previous time that they’ve entered the relegation play-off as the Bundesliga side which ultimately ended in victory over two legs against 1. FC Saarbrücken![/p]
[p]Key battle: After netting a hat-trick during his last home appearance, Düsseldorf’s Christos Tzolis has scored 22 league goals in 31 such appearances this season, six of which have acted as match openers. Bochum defender Keven Schlotterbeck will be tasked with stopping him here, whilst he’s also struck five league goals himself this term, four coming via his head. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Both teams have scored in just two of the last seven overall H2Hs, whilst both of those matches also witnessed at least one red card. [/p]