Bochum vs Mainz prediction: GERMANY: Bundesliga betting tips on match 2025-05-09 13:30.
[p]Bottom-of-the-table Bochum missed a huge chance to boost their survival hopes when drawing 0-0 with fellow strugglers Heidenheim last week. Some of the disappointment of that result was overshadowed by the serious injury suffered by striker Philipp Hofmann, who suffered a fractured rib and collapsed lung in that match. He’ll miss the rest of the season after surgery, further diminishing their chances of a great escape.[/p]
[p]The Blues’ only means of survival is now through the relegation play-off, but considering they trail 16th spot by four points, even that will prove a bridge too far unless they can end a seven-game winless streak (D2, L5). Victory over Mainz is therefore imperative, but as Dieter Hecking’s men have netted just four times in those seven matches – and never more than once in a single game – the odds are certainly stacked against them.[/p]
[p]Mainz can ill afford any sympathy for their opponents having endured their own torrid run of seven games without a win (D4, L3). The sequence has seen them alternate between home draws and away defeats, and that’s something boss Bo Henriksen cannot afford to continue given that it’s seen his side drop out of the top six altogether, making them outsiders in the race for European qualification. [/p]
[p]Two points separate them from the top six, but history is on their side as they look to bridge that gap here as Mainz have won ten of the last 13 Bundesliga H2Hs against Bochum (D2, L1). Four of those victories came on the road, with the 05ers also scoring 2+ goals in four of their six top-flight visits to the Vonovia Ruhrstadion.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Matúš Bero has been at the forefront of the action for Bochum this season, scoring their second-most Bundesliga goals (five) and picking up 11 yellow cards. Jonathan Burkardt has netted four goals in his last two matches against Bochum, both ending in 2-0 wins for Mainz.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Bochum have failed to score before half-time in 13 of their 16 home league matches this season.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Ben Olawumi[/i][/p]