Hoffenheim vs Bochum prediction: GERMANY: Bundesliga betting tips on match 2022-08-12 13:30.
Hoffenheim began the new Bundesliga campaign as they ended the last, falling to a defeat at Mönchengladbach despite scoring first. The 3-1 loss made it ten league games without victory (D3, L7) spanning back to March, and the Kraichgauers now risk opening a league season with two defeats – something they last did back in 2015, en-route to finishing just one place outside the relegation playoff berth.
Candidly put, any positive effects of Hoffenheim head coach André Breitenreiter bringing in four defenders during a busy summer cannot materialise soon enough. His team talks may also need some work with the opening-day loss also marking the fourth straight league game in which Hoffenheim have conceded twice or more after the break.
The hosts’ current slump can only fuel Bochum’s hopes of getting a third victory at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena in four Bundesliga visits, despite their own opening-day defeat (2-1 vs Mainz) making it just one shutout in 17 league outings. A victory here back in April remains fresh in the memory though, with a Takuma Asano double proving decisive.
Though porous, Bochum certainly seem to have the goods up front when travelling, with just a solitary Bundesliga blank on the road since the start of February (W2, D2, L3). There is good news for those hoping to see the visitors make a strong start too, with both wins in that run seeing Bochum score inside 30 minutes – albeit prior to conceding an equaliser.
Players to watch: Robert Skov netted the opener in Hoffenheim’s league-season curtain raiser, meaning both teams have scored in his last five goalscoring Bundesliga games. That same trait also applies to matches encompassing all four of Asano’s strikes in Germany’s top tier.
Hot streak: Time for a change? Each of Hoffenheim’s last eight Bundesliga home wins to-nil have seen them lead at the break.