Bochum vs Hertha Berlin prediction: GERMANY: Bundesliga betting tips on match 2023-01-20 14:30.
After a two-month long hiatus, the Bundesliga is finally back and returns with a mid-season relegation six-pointer. The World Cup break arguably came at a poor time for strugglers Bochum, who had secured back-to-back league victories for the first time this season over Augsburg (1-0) and Borussia Mönchengladbach (2-1), bringing them to within a point of safety.
Whether that momentum can be carried remains to be seen, but home comforts are likely to inspire the Blues, who have won their last three games at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion. A fourth would be their best run of home victories in the top flight since 1997, and would see them leapfrog visiting Hertha Berlin in the process.
The Old Lady arrive looking to avoid a repeat of last year’s relegation dog-fight, where they only escaped the drop by beating Hamburg in a play-off. Hertha signed off for the mid-season break by ending a run of three losses after beating Cologne 2-0, but their three wins this Bundesliga campaign is their lowest top-flight total after 15 games played since 2009/10 (one) – a season which ended in relegation!
Only goal difference separates them from the drop zone ahead of the round but Sandro Schwarz can look to his side’s history at Bochum to inspire confidence, as Hertha have won five of their last seven visits (D1, L1). To keep that run going, an improvement in attack may be required as only two sides in the division have netted fewer than Hertha’s seven on the road so far.
Players to watch: Bochum winger Christopher Antwi-Adjei signed off for the World Cup by scoring in consecutive Bundesliga games, both of which were match openers. He’ll be in competition with Hertha’s Marco Richter, who has netted in two of his side’s three league wins this term and has seen all of his last five goals arrive after half-time.
Hot stat: Bochum have conceded ten goals between the 76th and 90th minute in the Bundesliga this season, the most in the division.