Bochum vs Stuttgart prediction: GERMANY: Bundesliga betting tips on match 2024-01-19 14:30.
Bochum were denied by an injury-time equaliser against Werder Bremen in their first Bundesliga match since the winter break (D 1-1), just as they were against Mainz back in late October (D 2-2). It’s been a problem that’s plagued Bochum all season, as they’ve now let 11 points slip from winning positions this season – points had they not dropped would see them sat in sixth!
Without them though, the hosts sit just six points clear of the drop zone ahead of the round, but despite those slip-ups, the Blues have now gone five home league games without defeat (W2, D3) and are seemingly building a head of steam as they look to secure their top-flight status. Getting one over on Stuttgart here would give them a massive boost in that regard as they haven’t won a home league H2H since 2005 (D3, L5).
As Stuttgart have won the last three H2Hs at any venue, scoring 3+ goals on each occasion, this is a match-up they’ve enjoyed recently and should approach with confidence. They sit in an excellent third place despite losing 3-1 to Borussia Mönchengladbach last weekend, their first defeat to a side currently in the bottom-half all season (W8), so hopes will be high that they can get back to winning ways here and continue to head the pack chasing frontrunners Leverkusen and Bayern.
The Reds do so without star striker Serhou Guirassy, who is not only at the African Cup of Nations with Guinea, but also subject to mounting interest from clubs all over Europe. They’ll therefore have to find some firepower from elsewhere as they look to improve on a troubling recent away record (W1, L3) as Sebastian Hoeneß looks to steer his side to a first European adventure since 2013/14.
Players to watch: Patrick Osterhage’s strike from distance against Bremen was his second match-opener across Bochum’s last three home fixtures, while Stuttgart’s Chris Führich has netted between the 35th and 70th minute in two of their last four Bundesliga outings.
Hot stat: No team has kept more half-time clean sheets on the road in the Bundesliga than Stuttgart this term (five).