VfL Bochum vs. VfB Stuttgart preview: Pokal finalists intention to finish winless Bundesliga streak
Bochum
Successive 3-1 defeats to Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayer Leverkusen have Bochum again within the automated relegation spot. In comparison with the opposite groups within the race for survival, Dieter Hecking’s aspect has a beneficiant fixture checklist within the remaining seven matchdays, nevertheless.
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However, they appear to be getting outcomes towards more durable opposition. Bochum’s final two wins got here towards Bayern and Dortmund. On Saturday, they are going to hope to repeat that feat towards final season’s runners-up, Stuttgart.
Bochum averted relegation final season after a 3-0 first-leg defeat at dwelling to Fortuna Düsseldorf within the relegation/promotion playoff. With a five-point hole between them and Fifteenth-placed St. Pauli, one other playoff end may very well be a extra believable goal.
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Bochum will likely be hoping to have Bernardo, Kōji Miyoshi and Myron Boadu again of their matchday squad. Throughout his pre-game press convention, Hecking indicated they’ll determine after evaluating their match health ranges.
Stuttgart
For some time, this season was heading in a unique path from Stuttgart’s inconceivable second-placed end final marketing campaign. They narrowly missed out on a Champions League knockout place, whereas their respectable begin to the season is now a distant reminiscence.
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However, they’re now one step away from profitable the membership’s first main title in practically twenty years. Stuttgart placed on a dominant efficiency towards Leipzig to win the semi-final conflict 3-1, because of objectives from Angelo Stiller, Nick Woltemade and Jamie Leweling.
Earlier than the massive last towards Arminia Bielefeld, Stuttgart will play seven Bundesliga matches to have an opportunity of European qualification by way of their league place. Together with Saturday’s journey to Bochum, the primary 5 will likely be towards groups within the decrease half of the standings.
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Maximilian Mittelstädt, Stiller and Ameen Al-Dakhil will all miss the sport as a result of suspensions. In the meantime, Hoeneß expects Ramon Hendriks to return to the aspect after he missed the historic cup evening as a result of abdomen issues.