Preview and Prediction: Hertha Berlin vs. VfL Bochum – prediction, team news, lineups

On Friday evening, VfL Bochum will go to Berlin to face Hertha Berlin at the Olympiastadion, where both clubs are suffering in the Bundesliga.
The hosts are currently in 13th place in the table, two points and two places behind the visitors, but the two teams have combined for just one league win in 2022.

Match preview

Hertha Berlin vs. VfL Bochum

That win did not come from Hertha Berlin, who have only managed one point since the turn of the year, a goalless draw against Wolfsburg sandwiched between two hefty defeats.

The most recent of these was a 4-1 loss to league leaders Bayern Munich, with goals coming from Corentin Tolisso, Thomas Muller, Leroy Sane, and Serge Gnabry before Jurgen Ekkelenkamp provided a consolation for the hosts. Die Alte Dame had a difficult start to 2022, as they were knocked out of the DFB-Pokal in the round of 16 by city rivals Union Berlin.

Their most recent success dates back to mid-December, when an underdog victory against Borussia Dortmund at home strangely did not create any form of enthusiasm and, in fact, appears to have sparked a slide.

Tayfun Korkut, the new manager, is already under fire, but he may find solace in his team’s recent form, with Hertha beating their future opponents 3-1 earlier this season and winning four of the last six meetings.

Bochum’s recent form has been similar to that of their opponents, with the western club winning just one of their last six Bundesliga games.

Nonetheless, this season has been a decent return to life in Germany’s top flight, with the team finishing 11th with 24 points from their first 20 games, a position they have maintained despite picking up only one point in their last two games.

A 2-2 draw at home to FC Koln in eighth position was a good result, with Thomas Reis’ team giving up a lead won through Gerrit Holtmann’s 25th-minute goal, but then finding a second-half equalizer after falling behind on the stroke of halftime.

While they can be pleased with their overall performance so far in the 2021-22 season, their stuttering form and the fact that they are only five points away from a relegation playoff berth means they must be mindful of dropping into the tight bottom half of the table.

Team News

Stevan Jovetic is anticipated to make his first start of the calendar year, lining up alongside Ishak Belfodil in a front two, after playing 21 minutes in the second half of Hertha’s loss to Bayern.

A new signing has been made. Marc-Oliver Kempf, who joined from Bundesliga rivals Stuttgart at the close of the transfer window, is likely to be engaged right away.

Marton Dardai will almost certainly be the one to step aside in the heart of a defense that has allowed the second-most goals this season. Bochum has made a new signing. With an assist against Koln in his debut start for the club, Jurgen Locadia should preserve his spot in a three-man attack.

Due to the absence of midfielder Anthony Losilla, Robert Tesche is likely to benefit and make only his fourth start of the season.

Hertha Berlin possible starting lineup:
Schwolow; Pekarik, Stark, Kempf, Mittelstadt; Richter, Tousart, Ascacibar, Serdar; Belfodil, Jovetic

VfL Bochum possible starting lineup:
Riemann; Stafylidis, Bella-Kotchap, Leitsch, Soares; Lowen, Tesche, Rexhbecaj; Pantovic, Locadia, Holtmann

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Our prediction: Over 1.5 Goals
Both teams are in inconsistent form, making this a difficult match to predict. Hertha has the home edge, but Bochum has performed better since the start of the season, so we expect the two to cancel each other out in an intriguing match.